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What's On
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
4 of the best restaurants to try in Dubai this weekend: July 18 to 20
When it comes to dining in Dubai, the options are endless. Even if you're not a die-hard foodie, you've probably heard of these standout spots – and if you've been thinking about trying them, consider this your nudge to finally go. Here are 4 of the best restaurants to try in Dubai this weekend Girl and the Goose What first started as a supper club by Nicaraguan-born Chef Gabriela Chamorro has blossomed into the UAE's first restaurant that brings together the diverse and vibrant cuisines of the Mesoamerican region under one roof. The chef enthralled and delighted the taste buds of many a discerning diner before expanding her home into the stunning space at Anantara Downtown. And those are exactly the comforting vibes you want as you tuck into the ravishing Central American fare – all reimagined by Gabi's travels around the world during her time as an Emirates crew member. Location: Anantara Downtown, Downtown Dubai Times: daily, 12pm to 1am Contact: (0) 52 772 9888 @ Rare Rare Dubai Rare is a What's On award-winning restaurant in Dubai for a reason. The Art Deco New York cocktail bar meets Parisian brasserie has had Team What's On visit on multiple occasions, and it has not disappointed. On the menu, there are steaks that give a whole new meaning to the term 'well done.' But for diners who aren't red meat eaters, there's plenty, from oysters, bone marrow on toast to chicken thigh skewers, succulent prawns, and more. It's perfect for date night or even spending time with friends or colleagues. PS. Don't ask the waiter to take away the Brussels sprouts before you even try them—they are delicious. Location: City Walk Dubai, C2 Licensed District Times: Sun to Thurs 12pm to 1am, Sat and Sun 12pm to 2am Contact: (0)4 287 4604 Revolver Revolver Dubai Singapore's sleek experimental South Asian export, Revolver, opened in Dubai earlier this year at T he Opus by Zaha Hadid. Its interior is a stark difference from the ME Dubai, bringing raw industrial aesthetics, dark wood, and metallic surfaces to the bright and futuristic hotel. The twisting round of glowing bullets suspended above is eye-catching, as are the fiery and smokey theatrics of the chefs behind the open kitchen. But it's not just for your entertainment, as the dishes that come out from the kitchen are packed with flavour. It's all the creation of Chef Jitin Joshi, who has a Michelin-starred history. No matter how hungry you go, you'll want to return to try other dishes on the menu. For your first dishes, we recommend you try the Goan prawn calchao, the burrata – a unique pairing of peanut sauce and warm churros, and the seafood and tender coconut pot. Location: T he Opus by Zaha Hadid, Business Bay Times: daily 6pm to 1am and weekdays for lunch 12pm to 3pm Contact: (0)4 257 9334 Tresind Dubai If you love Indian cuisine, this fine dining restaurant at One&Only Royal Mirage is one to book this week. Chef Mohammad Zeeshan takes the restaurant's bold claim of 'the birthplace of innovative Indian cuisine' to new heights as he curates bold Indian flavours with a modern lens. Try the degustation menu, which includes lip-smacking dishes such as cannoli samosa with tomato chutney, portobello steak with chimichurri chutney and truffle, a 'modernist' chaat tart, and paan-flavoured cotton candy. It's recognised by the Dubai MICHELIN Guide for a reason, which means you have to try it. Location: One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai Marina Times: 12pm to 11.45pm Contact: 056 420 9754 Images: Supplied and Instagram > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Boston Globe
10-07-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
In Belize, Maya ruler's tomb unearthed with artifacts from his ancient world
It was the 1,700-year-old tomb of a Maya ruler — the first ever found at Caracol, the largest Maya site in Belize — and it held clues to a Mesoamerican world where cities contended with one another from hundreds of miles apart. 'They've found a very early ruler, so that's very important, and he's claimed to be the founder of a dynasty,' said Gary Feinman, an archaeologist at Field Museum of Chicago who was not involved in the excavation. 'That's a major find.' Advertisement Arlen Chase, one of the archaeologists working at Caracol, was among the first to enter the tomb. 'As soon as we saw the chamber, we knew we had something,' he said. From the style of ceramic vessels, he knew the tomb was exceptionally old, and the red cinnabar all around indicated it was for someone of very high status. But it was the mosaic mask, in pieces of jadeite off to the side, that made him realize just how unusual the tomb was. 'Oh my God, this is much more important than I thought it was,' he remembers thinking. With each discovery he called Diane Chase, an archaeologist with whom he has been working at Caracol for four decades. Advertisement 'I kept saying, 'Do you want me to come down?'' she said. 'And he kept saying no. And then, eventually he said yes.' The Chases will celebrate 50 years of marriage in August. Diane Chase hurried from their base at the University of Houston to take stock of the discoveries. The Maya ruler, they determined, had grown old for his time, living long enough to lose all his teeth and for bone to grow over his jaw. 'We've never found anyone that we could identify as a ruler at Caracol before, so that in itself was amazing,' Diane Chase said. 'Double wow,' she continued, the ruler could be identified as the founder of a dynasty. The ruler had been interred not just with the mask but three sets of jadeite ear flares, an extraordinary luxury for the Maya elite, and a variety of ceramic vessels. They showed the Maya god of traders — a hummingbird and a ruler holding a spear, with supplicants making offerings to him. Vessels depicted a monkey, an owl, and the heads of coatimundi — mammals sometimes described as raccoons crossed with lemurs. 'It's stuff that we've never seen before,' Arlen Chase said about some of the designs. Through hieroglyphics, the archaeologists identified the ruler as Te K'ab Chak, who took the throne in A.D. 331. He ruled Caracol as it was growing into a larger city, the Chases said, but centuries before its peak as a regional power with an estimated 100,000 people. Like other Maya cities, it had been abandoned around A.D. 900. The discovery 'adds a whole new dimension' to the site, said Melissa Badillo, the director of Belize's Institute of Archaeology, a longtime working partner of the Chases. 'This is the first of its kind in that it's a ruler, a founder, somebody so old, and in so good a condition, to be honest, because the humidity doesn't lend itself well to preservation.' Advertisement For the Chases, the discovery was thrilling also because of how the artifacts related to other finds over the years. 'Without this tomb, we wouldn't have any idea as to how everything tied together,' Arlen Chase said. Some of the artifacts found in the tomb closely resemble those at two other Caracol burials, dating around A.D. 350, the Chases said. One of those also held cremated human remains, blades of green obsidian from central Mexico and a projectile for an atlatl — used to throw spears — the sort of object often associated with Teotihuacán, an ancient metropolis nearly 750 miles to the north. Cremation was a practice of high-status Teotihuacán but not of the Maya elite. The evidence, the Chases argue, suggests that the early Maya had relations with the people of central Mexico decades earlier than previously thought, despite the great geographic distances between their cities. It is likely to have taken more than 150 days to walk from Teotihuacán to Caracol in the days of Te K'ab Chak. Even today it takes nearly 24 hours by car. The artifacts show that these cities were not just aware of one another but also interacting, perhaps with envoys at the highest levels of society, the Chases said — a sign of what they called a 'globalized' ancient world of trade and diplomacy. That conclusion fits with other research showing that the Maya built societies with complicated political relationships, experts said, although some expressed caution about extrapolating from the artifacts until they could learn more. Advertisement 'This was a very dynamic, political world,' Feinman said. 'They have evidence of some kind of connection to Teotihuacán in central Mexico, but what the mechanism of that connection is — a person? ideas? — it's harder to say. Their interpretations may be right, but I would say I'd like to see it spelled out in an article before I could say more.' Rosemary Joyce, an anthropologist at the University of California, Berkeley, also said that she wanted to learn more. DNA and isotope testing, which the Chases hope to do, could reveal more about the lives of the interred people, and more detail about the ceramic vessels could help determine if they were imported or local imitations, Joyce said. The Chases believe that the artifacts indicate prolonged Maya relations with Teotihuacán decades before A.D. 378, a moment often called the 'entrada,' which some archaeologists believe signals the arrival of central Mexicans into the southern lowlands. When exactly all these cities were interacting, and how and where, will almost certainly be a matter of intense debate among archaeologists, in part because the degree of precision that dating technology can offer is limited. Badillo said that Belizean authorities hoped to showcase some of the artifacts at Caracol, and that the site should become more accessible with the completion of a new road. She also said that she expected that the Chases, 'based on their track record,' would be back to the site again soon.
Newsweek
10-07-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Ancient Ruler's Tomb Uncovered After Nearly 1,700 Years
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Archaeologists from the University of Houston have uncovered the tomb of Te K'ab Chaak, the first known ruler of Caracol, an ancient Maya city in present-day Belize. The discovery comes after over four decades of excavation by married archaeologists Arlen F. Chase and Diane Z. Chase. The burial site, dating to around 350 AD, contained an array of artifacts, including 11 pottery vessels, jadeite jewelry, a mosaic jadeite mask and Pacific spondylus shells. The Context The uncovering of Te K'ab Chaak's tomb sheds new light on the origins of Maya dynastic rule and early regional connections in Mesoamerica. This find is the first time a Caracol king has been identified over the decades of research at the site, which was a dominant Maya metropolis before its abandonment by 900 AD. Diane Z. Chase in the tomb of Te K'ab Chaak with vessels in the foreground and jadeite mask to the left and the south wall niche. Diane Z. Chase in the tomb of Te K'ab Chaak with vessels in the foreground and jadeite mask to the left and the south wall niche. Caracol Archaeological Project / University of Houston What To Know Te K'ab Chaak ascended to the throne around 331 AD and is recognized as the founder of Caracol's royal dynasty. His tomb was located at the base of a royal family shrine. Two pottery lids in the chamber featured the heads of coatimundi, or tz'uutz' in Maya. These motifs were later adopted by Caracol rulers as part of their names. The Chases estimated that Te K'ab Chaak was of advanced age at the time of his death. They also estimated that he was approximately 5'7" in height. Researchers discovered a cremation burial containing the remains of three individuals dated to around 350 AD. It also contained goods from central Mexico such as knives, obsidian blades and atlatl points. "Maya carved stone monuments, hieroglyphic dates, iconography, and archaeological data all suggest that widespread pan-Mesoamerican connections occurred after an event in 378 AD referred to as 'entrada,'" Diane Z. Chase said in a statement. The University of Houston team collaborated with Belize's Institute of Archaeology for this field season. David Stuart, a professor of Mesoamerican art and writing at the University of Texas at Austin, said the tomb dates back to a significant time period in Maya culture. "The three hundreds was a key time in Caracol, in the history of that kingdom," Stuart told Newsweek. He said the dynasties of various different kingdoms emerged during that period and began having foreign contacts. Stuart explained how the tropical weather of the region could impact what is found at Maya burial sites. "You can find the skeleton preserved, maybe, although a lot of times that will deteriorate, but you'll find the durable things," Stuart said. "You're going to find ceramics, jade, maybe some other organic materials." He said there is "no doubt" that Maya tombs had textiles, wooden artifacts, painted gourds and other artifacts that were not preserved. What People Are Saying Arlen F. Chase, in a statement: "Both central Mexico and the Maya area were clearly aware of each other's ritual practices, as reflected in the Caracol cremation." David Stuart, a professor of Mesoamerican art and writing at the University of Texas at Austin, in comments to Newsweek: "The goal of archaeology is never to find everything. It's to find the things that can tell you the most about the ancient culture, and the history and how they lived." What Happens Next The university said further research is planned, including reconstruction of the jadeite mask and DNA and isotope testing on recovered remains. The full results will be presented by the Chases at a conference on Maya–Teotihuacan interaction at the Santa Fe Institute in August. Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
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Business Standard
07-07-2025
- General
- Business Standard
World Chocolate Day 2025: Know the date, history, significance and more
World Chocolate Day 2025: Celebrated every year on July 7, World Chocolate Day marks the introduction of chocolate to Europe in the 16th century. It's a day dedicated to all things chocolate—whether you prefer it dark, milk, white, in bars, truffles, or hot mugs. It's a global celebration for chocolate lovers to indulge in their favourite sweet and appreciate its rich legacy. World Chocolate Day 2025: History behind the day The story of chocolate begins with the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, where cacao beans were once considered more valuable than gold. But it wasn't until 1550 that chocolate made its way to Europe, eventually evolving from a bitter ceremonial drink into the sweet, versatile treat we know today. World Chocolate Day commemorates this transformative moment in food history. World ChWhen is World Chocolate Day celebrated? How does the world celebrate World Chocolate Day? From Paris to Tokyo, chocolate enthusiasts find their own ways to celebrate—whether it's gifting artisan chocolate boxes, baking gooey brownies, visiting a chocolate café, or trying out a new dessert recipe. Some go a step further and organize chocolate-tasting sessions or themed parties to mark the day with friends and family. World Chocolate Day 2025: Wishes Wishing you a day as sweet and rich as your favorite chocolate bar! Happy World Chocolate Day! May your life be filled with joy, love, and unlimited chocolate. Happy Chocolate Day 2025! Here's to a day of indulgence without guilt. Happy World Chocolate Day! Sending you a chocolate-covered hug on this delicious occasion. Enjoy every bite! Life is better with a little chocolate in it—today, make it a lot! Happy Chocolate Day! May your worries melt like chocolate on a warm day. Happy World Chocolate Day! To the one sweeter than chocolate—wishing you a day full of love and cocoa bliss! A little bit of chocolate goes a long way. Wishing you endless sweet moments today! Celebrate the magic of cocoa and the joy it brings. Happy World Chocolate Day! On this World Chocolate Day, may your cravings be satisfied and your heart full. Let's toast (with hot chocolate, of course!) to a life filled with sweet surprises! Chocolate: proof that happiness can be unwrapped. Have a delicious day ahead! Here's to celebrating life, one bite of chocolate at a time. Happy Chocolate Day! Wishing you a day of chocolate fountains, brownies, and truffle dreams! May your day be dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with love. Enjoy! Celebrate the treat that never lets us down—Happy World Chocolate Day 2025! To a day full of cocoa kisses and sugary smiles—Happy Chocolate Day! May your stress be less and your chocolates be more today! Celebrate sweetly. Every chocolate has a story—make today your most delicious chapter yet. Some days are made for chocolate. Today is one of them. Indulge and enjoy! Final thoughts World Chocolate Day is more than just an excuse to satisfy your sweet tooth. It's a tribute to how chocolate has journeyed through time, touched different cultures, and brought people together. Whether you're nibbling on a gourmet bar, baking with loved ones, or sharing a box of chocolates, July 7 is a reminder that the simplest pleasures, like a bite of good chocolate, can bring the greatest joy.
Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
World Chocolate Day 2025: Know the date, origin, significance, and celebrations
World Chocolate Day 2025 Date and History: World Chocolate Day, observed annually on July 7, celebrates the delight and indulgence of chocolate. The day commemorates the introduction of chocolate to Europe in the 16th century, perhaps around the 1550s. It was first commemorated in 2009 to highlight chocolate's rich heritage, which stretches back to the Aztec period, circa 1400 BC. Chocolate, derived from the cacao bean, has a long history reaching back to ancient Mesoamerican societies. During that period, the delicious flesh of the cacao fruit was fermented into an alcoholic beverage. Chocolate has grown over centuries from a bitter beverage to the sweet pleasure we know and love today, becoming a global culinary and cultural staple. This day is a global celebration of chocolate in all of its forms, from dark to milk, bars to truffles, and everything in between, emphasising its historical and cultural significance as well as the simple joy it brings into our lives. Chocolate fans all across the world commemorate this day by indulging in their favourite chocolate delights while also learning more about its rich history and production method. Some call it a craving, some call it a gift. But everyone calls it their favourite. Go ahead, treat yourself to your favourite Amul Chocolate this World Chocolate Day. — (@Amul_Coop) July 7, 2025
