Saudi Arabia Sets Guinness World Record in CTF IT Security Competition at Black Hat MEA

Many participants praised the event as a valuable platform for practical training and skill development in cybersecurity. - SPA
Many participants praised the event as a valuable platform for practical training and skill development in cybersecurity. - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Sets Guinness World Record in CTF IT Security Competition at Black Hat MEA

Many participants praised the event as a valuable platform for practical training and skill development in cybersecurity. - SPA
Many participants praised the event as a valuable platform for practical training and skill development in cybersecurity. - SPA

Saudi Arabia has earned a Guinness World Record for hosting the world's largest Capture The Flag (CTF) computer security competition during the Black Hat Middle East and Africa (MEA) cybersecurity event.
The competition tasked participants with solving simulated cybersecurity challenges in a virtual environment.

These tasks were categorized into risk-based, attack and defense, and hybrid scenarios, reflecting real-world cybersecurity threats, SPA reported.
Many participants praised the event as a valuable platform for practical training and skill development in cybersecurity.
The CTF competition, one of the largest events at Black Hat MEA, provided participants an opportunity to demonstrate their ethical hacking expertise while honing their skills in protecting systems and data. This initiative aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 goal of advancing the Kingdom as a global leader in cybersecurity innovation and resilience.



Peru Scientists Unveil Crocodile Fossil Up to 12 Million Years Old

Paleontologists unveil the fossil of a young marine crocodile dating back 10 to 12 million years discovered in Peru. Ernesto BENAVIDES / AFP
Paleontologists unveil the fossil of a young marine crocodile dating back 10 to 12 million years discovered in Peru. Ernesto BENAVIDES / AFP
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Peru Scientists Unveil Crocodile Fossil Up to 12 Million Years Old

Paleontologists unveil the fossil of a young marine crocodile dating back 10 to 12 million years discovered in Peru. Ernesto BENAVIDES / AFP
Paleontologists unveil the fossil of a young marine crocodile dating back 10 to 12 million years discovered in Peru. Ernesto BENAVIDES / AFP

Paleontologists unveiled on Wednesday the fossil of a young marine crocodile dating back 10 to 12 million years that was discovered in a Peruvian desert.
The fossil of the gharial -- or fish-eating -- crocodile, around three meters long (nearly 10 feet), was discovered late 2023 in perfect condition in Peru's Ocucaje desert, around 350 kilometers (190 miles) south of the capital Lima, AFP said.
"This is the first time we found a juvenile of this species, that is to say, it had not reached its maximum size yet. It died before that," vertebrate paleontologist Mario Gamarra told a news conference.
The skull and jaws of these specimens differed from that of today's crocodiles and alligators, according to Gamarra, who headed the reconstruction of the fossil.
"They had an elongated snout and their diet was entirely piscivorous, feeding on fish," said Gamarra.
"The closest current relative to this crocodile would be the Indian gharial," he added.
The discovery was made jointly by Peru's Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Institute and the La Union school.
Peru's Ocucaje desert is rich in fossils, such as four-legged dwarf whales, dolphins, sharks and other species from the Miocene period -- between 5 and 23 million years ago -- that were previously discovered there.