Ancient Carnivore Skull Discovery in Egypt Sheds Light on Extinct Apex Predator

At least six foreign tourists have died and nine others were injured, four severely, after a tourist submarine sank off the coast of Hurgada, Egypt, according to local media reports. The incident occurred on Thursday when the submarine, which had 44 passengers on board, was engaged in an excursion to view the area's renowned coral reefs. Images released by the Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm showed the yellow submarine belonging to Sindbad, a company operating in the region for several years. The vessel typically dives to a depth of 22 meters to allow tourists to observe coral and exotic fish. The cause of the sinking remains unknown. Hurgada is a major tourist destination in Egypt, attracting visitors from Europe drawn to the Red Sea beaches. Despite its popularity for diving excursions, the safety records of vessels in the area have faced scrutiny. A previous incident on November 25, 2024, involved the sinking of another diving vessel, resulting in 11 fatalities and multiple missing persons. A maritime survey conducted from 2023 to 2024 identified numerous safety deficiencies among diving and safari boats operating in Egypt.

Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) announced the remarkable discovery of a military leader's tomb dating back to the era of King Ramses III during an excavation at Tell Roud Iskander. This site, historically significant as a military stronghold, has revealed a main burial chamber, three adjoining rooms, and a trove of funerary relics, including jewelry and alabaster vessels, according to SCA Head Mohamed Abdel-Badie. The tomb, constructed from mudbrick and featuring white plastered walls, contained a human skeleton encased in layers of cartonnage, indicating its use over time. Although the identity of the officer remains unknown, historians speculate he may have links to King Horemheb, based on cartouches found within the burial site. In addition to the main tomb, the excavation unveiled mass graves and individual tombs from the Greco-Roman and Late Roman periods, containing amulets and skeletal remains. According to SCA Secretary-General Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Tell Roud played a pivotal role in defending Egypt's eastern borders during the New Kingdom. The ongoing research promises to further illuminate Egypt's ancient military history.

Researchers led by Filippo Biondi from the University of Strathclyde and Corrado Malanga from the University of Pisa claim to have discovered a "vast underground city" beneath Egypt's Giza pyramids. Using Synthetic Aperture Radar technology, they identified eight vertical cylindrical artifacts extending over 2,100 feet underground, along with other unidentified structures located 4,000 feet below the surface, as reported by GB News. The study, part of the Khafre Project, suggests the presence of multiple room-like structures inside the pyramids and possible connections to underground corridors. It also posits that the so-called Halls of Amenti may contain a legendary Hall of Records beneath the Great Sphinx. However, these claims have been met with skepticism. Zahi Hawass, Egypt's former minister of antiquities, dismissed the findings as "fake news," stating that the research techniques were unproven and lacked evidence of large subterranean architectures after decades of investigation. Radar specialist Professor Lawrence Conyers echoed this sentiment, suggesting that while the site could harbor smaller constructions, the announced findings are likely exaggerated. Further examination by independent scholars is necessary.