An international team of archaeologists has uncovered a unique Maya ritual structure at the pre-Hispanic site of El Tigre, located in Guatemala’s northern department of Petén, offering new insights into ceremonial practices and social organization during the Late Preclassic period (100 B.C. – A.D. 150).

The discovery was announced on Monday by researchers from the Lechugal Norte–El Tigre Archaeological Project, a multidisciplinary initiative involving experts from Guatemala, France, Mexico, and Canada who have been conducting excavations in the area during the 2025 and 2026 field seasons.

“This is a structure with highly distinctive characteristics that allow us to make significant advances in understanding ritual practices at sites of medium-scale monumentality,” said project director Julien Hiquet during a press conference.

The structure, named “Okox” — meaning “mushroom” in the Indigenous Q’eqchi’ language — features a distinctive keyhole-shaped design and stands out for its exceptional state of preservation. Unlike many Maya structures, it was not modified or covered by later construction phases, enabling researchers to study its original architectural features.

According to the archaeological team, El Tigre functioned as a residential and administrative center that supported thousands of inhabitants during the Preclassic era.

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Excavations at the site revealed several infant burials strategically placed within the platform’s fill as ritual offerings. Researchers also uncovered the remains of a high-ranking adult male buried in a seated position and accompanied by a stingray spine awl, an object commonly associated with bloodletting and self-sacrifice ceremonies in Maya culture.

Officials highlighted the significance of the discovery for understanding the development of Maya society and religion. Guatemala’s Vice Minister of Cultural and Natural Heritage, Rossina Cazali, described the find as “a window into a pivotal stage” of Maya history.

Archaeologists believe the findings will contribute to a deeper understanding of ceremonial traditions, political organization, and social dynamics in the Maya lowlands during a critical period of cultural development.

Kylian Mbappé moved another step closer to World Cup history on Monday, scoring twice against Iraq to reach 16 career goals in the tournament and draw level with German legend Miroslav Klose on the all-time scoring chart.

The French forward found the net in the 14th and 54th minutes of France’s Group I clash in Philadelphia, registering his second consecutive brace of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Mbappé’s achievement came on the same day that Argentina captain Lionel Messi set a new all-time World Cup scoring record. The Argentine star scored twice against Austria to raise his career total to 18 goals, surpassing the previous mark of 16 held by Klose.

Klose established his record on July 8, 2014, during Germany’s historic 7-1 victory over Brazil in the World Cup semifinals in Belo Horizonte.

Before facing Iraq, Mbappé was tied with German striker Gerd Müller on 14 World Cup goals. His first goal of the match lifted him to 15, drawing level with Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazário.

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The second strike moved the Real Madrid forward to 16 goals, allowing him to surpass Ronaldo, match Klose’s tally, and position himself just two goals behind Messi in the race for World Cup immortality.

The match also marked a personal milestone for Mbappé, as he made his 100th appearance for the French national team.

At 27 years old, the French superstar remains firmly in pursuit of Messi’s newly established record and continues to strengthen his legacy as one of the most prolific scorers in World Cup history.

Costa Rican President Laura Fernández on Monday submitted a package of legislative proposals to the National Assembly aimed at strengthening public security, combating organized crime, and reforming the country’s prison system.

The president said the measures are designed to reinforce the government’s response to rising criminal violence and provide law enforcement authorities with stronger tools to confront growing security challenges.

Among the key initiatives is the proposed “Firm Hand Against Repeat Offenders Law,” which would establish mandatory pretrial detention for suspects accused of repeat criminal offenses, limiting judges’ ability to impose alternative precautionary measures.

The legislative package also includes the “Law to Combat Criminal Organizations,” which would impose prison sentences ranging from one to six years for individuals who participate in criminal groups. Penalties could increase to as much as 20 years for those linked to organizations involved in terrorism, drug trafficking, kidnapping, human trafficking, arms trafficking, or organ trafficking.

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Another proposal, known as the “Zero Idleness in Prisons Law,” seeks to expand vocational training and paid work opportunities for inmates. Under the initiative, earnings generated by prisoners would help cover incarceration costs, support their families, and contribute to compensation for crime victims.

Fernández also introduced legislation aimed at expanding legal protections for police officers acting in self-defense and increasing penalties for individuals who assault or resist law enforcement personnel.

“It is now up to you, members of Congress, to make the decisions that our police officers and the families of crime victims have been waiting for,” the president told lawmakers as she urged them to support the reforms.

The president additionally highlighted progress on the construction of the High Containment Center Against Organized Crime (CACCO), a maximum-security prison modeled after the strategy implemented by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.

According to Fernández, the project is currently 36 percent complete and forms part of a broader effort to strengthen Costa Rica’s capacity to confront organized crime and improve public safety.

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The proposed reforms now move to the Legislative Assembly, where lawmakers will debate the measures and determine whether they will become part of Costa Rica’s legal framework in the coming months.