Latest news with #Gelato
Sunday World
11 hours ago
- Sunday World
Drug dealer dubbed Albus Dumbledore jailed over cannabis haul
The judge commended him for writing a 'candid' letter to the court A drug dealer who nicknamed himself 'Albus Dumbledore' has been jailed after he was caught on camera picking up a shopping bag full of cannabis. Jacob Flavin (29) used the name of the famous Harry Potter character on the encrypted communication app, Signal. He was described in court as a 'significant figure' in a five-man gang of drug dealers who sold wholesale amounts of cannabis on Signal, Manchester Evening News reports. Jacob Flavin News in 90 Seconds - June 20th Manchester Crown Court heard how Flavin advertised 500 grams of 'super skunk' for £1,000 on November 3, 2023. He also included a photograph of the product being held in a latex-gloved hand. When his potential buyer said 'leave it with me', the 29-year-old replied, 'Can do nothing but make money. Soon as these main ones land, I will send a list.' Flavin also advertised other kinds of cannabis, including 'Tropical', 'Gelato' and 'Banana' with prices ranging from £2,800 to £3,100 per kilo. He was ultimately caught when undercover police photographed him collecting an Aldi shopping bag that he believed was full of cannabis. Cops were monitoring the gang as part of 'Operation Global'. During his arrest at his deluxe apartment in Salford, Manchester, police seized a Rolex worth between £6,000 and £8,000 as well as small bags of cannabis. Detectives also found menus, price lists and two mobile phones. They also found a ledger with details of debtors and how much they owed. Examination of his mobile phone found he was also involved in the sale of cocaine, heroin and ketamine with other 'unknown conspirators'. It's estimated that the gang were involved in the supply of approximately 180kg of cannabis in a period of seven weeks. Neil Fryman, for the prosecution, told the court that Flavin could be linked to the sale of 3.5kg of cocaine, 2.5kg of heroin and 5kg of ketamine. The court heard that he had six previous convictions for 10 offences, including possession of cannabis with intent to supply, for which he spent nine months behind bars. At sentencing, Judge Sarah Johnson said the damage done to communities by drugs was 'far reaching', adding: "So much of the suffering we see in these courts has its roots in this trade and those who seek to profit from it." She told the court that Flavin had written a 'commendably candid' letter detailing his "first-hand experience of the dreadful consequences of this evil trade". "It appears to be to your eternal shame that you sought to profit from other's misery,' she said. Flavin was handed down nine years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of conspiracy to supply cannabis, cocaine, heroin and ketamine.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I tried the new viral Dubai chocolate ice cream served at a top London attraction – it was a huge disappointment
NEARLY every food brand has hopped on the Dubai chocolate trend - and I tried out the most recent one that has gone viral online. Made up of a concoction of pistachio cream mixed with shredded filo pastry, all coated in a silky chocolate case - it's no surprise this choccie bar has taken the world by storm. 4 Chocaholics across the globe are so enamoured by it that Dubai's Duty Free sold an eye-watering $22million (£16million) of the bars in just the first three months of 2025. And now, the viral creation has landed in London's Borough Market, served in ice cream form. After clocking the gelato treat on social media - several chocolate-y scoops dripping in lashings of pistachio sauce and served in a pistachio-rimmed cone - I couldn't resist giving it a try. Afterall, we are in the midst of a heatwave and what better way to cool off? The treat hails from a small cafe, Gelateria 3Bis, at the edge of the market, which also sells flakey pastries and baked goods. I was pleasantly surprised to find no queue on a Tuesday lunchtime in 25C sunshine, but perhaps I should have taken that as a sign of things to come. Behind the counter were neat slices of apple and almond tart, slathered in a shiny glaze (£3.50); wedges of a crumbly looking walnut tart (also £3.50); and stacks of cannolis with thick ricotta filling oozing out of each case (£2). They certainly got my stomach gurgling. 'One Dubai chocolate please,' I say. I practically drooled as the lady leaned into the metal tub to scoop the chocolate-y mixture into my cone, waiting for the pistachio magic to happen. Foodies race to buy new Dubai chocolate Easter egg in popular supermarket - the 'filling is crazy' and it's selling FAST 4 But then, nothing. That was it - and a rather naked-looking gelato was handed over to me. Where was my pistachio sauce? Where were the sprinkles I'd seen decadently splashed over the top? And, more importantly, where was the pistachio and filo filling that makes Dubai chocolate what it is? After shelling out a staggering £6.50, I walked away realising that this was a classic case of Insta vs reality trickery. Perhaps I had misordered, I thought. But it couldn't be that. I'd even mentioned that I'd seen it advertised on the cafe's Instagram. Unlike the sensation I'd seen on social media, my two-scoop treat was lacking in decadence. 4 4 I'd been asked if I wanted a 'special cone', not realising that the pistachio cone I'd seen wasn't part of this category – it had apparently been placed in a league of its own. The special cones cost an additional £1.50 and are essentially just a traditional waffle cone dipped in chocolate and then covered in some form of topping like hazelnut or sprinkles. I'm not sure why the pistachio hadn't been offered to me, but when I saw the price - over £2 - I was a little relieved. In terms of flavour, it hit the mark for a decent chocolate gelato: creamy, smooth and indulgent, but not too sweet. And after tucking in, I did notice the odd fleck of green accompanied by a few pastry shards, but these were minimal and the pistachio flavour did not come through at all. I didn't have time to ponder over how little filling was in there, though, as my scoops were melting rapidly. This is the sign of a well-made gelato, I am told, but this seemed a bit extreme. Barely a minute had passed and I was already frantically wiping the melt from my hands and arm. As for the cone, the chocolate rim added a little extra zing to the overall flavour. But I wouldn't be willing to shell out an additional £1.50 again. Perhaps I can't blame it all on the ice cream itself. Maybe the sauce costs extra and the sprinkles do too. But i couldn't see it advertised on the boards and the fact that staff didn't point it out to me when I ordered seems an oversight, not least to say, financially-daft. I reckon if I'd have had the full shebang I would have ended up forking out close to a tenner. So, Dubai chocolate ice cream? Let's not spoil something good. Especially not for prices like this.
Time Out
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Pride in London has opened a dazzling pop-up shop in Soho – with exclusive vintage merch and much more
Already getting hyped for Pride in London 2025? Here's just the thing to get you even more excited. An official pop-up Pride in London shop has opened in Soho boasting merch, food, drinks and more. On offer is an array of t-shirts, caps, rainbow pin badges and soy wax candles, plus a special collection of vintage Pride items, all from LGBTQ+ designers and makers. Also available are drinks, artisan ice cream donated by Ariela's Gelato, and overall good vibes. You don't have to identify as LGBTQ+ to drop in, everyone's invited. Close to beloved LGBTQ+ venues such as Rupert Street Bar, The Village and The Yard Bar, the pop-up is on Walkers Court in Soho, an area central to London's annual Pride celebrations. Soho Square, Dean Street and Golden Square all typically host post-parade community stages. Besides the shopping, eating and drinks on offer, the pop-up shop also features a 'pledge wall', which encourages visitors to write motivational or affirming messages to themselves or the community. There's also an educational wall featuring a guide to each LGBTQ+ community flag. Don't miss the wall with feather wings; a great photo opp for those that fancy snapping an Instagrammable pic. The pop-up is also a collection point for those wanting to pick up wristbands for the 2025 Pride parade. Thirty-five thousand are expected to participate in the event on July 5. Rebecca Paisis, Director of Operations and Events for Pride in London, says that she wants people's main takeaway of the pop-up to be to realise 'the power of unity, and what we can achieve when we all come together'. 7 Walkers Court, W1F 0BT, 12pm-9pm, until July 7.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Wild scenes as Gelato Messina opens third international store in Singapore
One of Australia's most popular dessert chains has landed in Singapore, with lines of more than an hour long. Gelato Messina officially opened its doors in Singapore's Chinatown last month, marking its third international store, with two locations in Hong Kong already. Video captured and shared to TikTok shows eager ice cream fans waiting more than an hour to get their hands on 40 iconic Aussie flavours — with some Singapore exclusives also on offer. Among the flavours offered exclusively at the Singapore location are Kaya Toast, with Kaya gelato and dehydrated toast and kaya jam, Teh Tarik, which is milk tea gelato, as well as Singapore, How You Durian, which is coconut gelato with durian jam and durian cake. Alessandro Palumbo, international operations manager at Gelato Messina, told 'When we decided to open in Singapore, we knew we had to do it properly – staying true to our Gelato Messina identity while also honouring Singapore's status as a nation of serious food lovers. 'That meant creating flavours that genuinely resonate here.' TikTok user @cathfully took to the video sharing platform to tell other Messina lovers to 'run, don't walk because the queue can be up to an hour or more on weekends'. 'The service was good — service crew were friendly and gave out gelato samples to the people in queue. They allowed you to taste test before ordering too. I ordered two scoops — one Panna cotta with fig jam and amoretti biscuits and the other was Dulce De Leche,' she said. 'There are Singapore-exclusive flavours too. Though they close at 10pm, the queue was still going strong past 9pm.' Meanwhile another TikTok content creator, @shishi_diary, said they were excited that Australia's 'famous' gelato business had finally arrived in Singapore. 'The crowd is so crazy,' the content creator said. Other social media users weighed in on the popular chain arriving in Singapore. 'Will wait six months let the hype die down,' one said in an effort to avoid the long lines. Another said their 'Aussie ice cream cravings' were finally satisfied with Messina's opening. 'TAKE ME THERE WITH U, LOW-KEY LOOKS GOOD,' one added. One social media user said: 'Brilliant! Love love love Messina.' 'So damn expensive. A lot of people don't know how to value of money nowadays,' another commented. In response, one wrote: 'It's freaking worth it. I've had it countless times in Australia.' 'One of my fav ice cream storesss,' another added. Gelato Messina opened in 2002 after Nick Palumbo moved from Adelaide to open the chain in Sydney. Today, there are 16 stores in NSW, four in Victoria, three in Queensland and two in the ACT. The gelato giant features 40 unique flavours, with five specials that rotate weekly, as well as bespoke gelato cakes that are also wildly popular.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Method Man's TICAL Partners with European E-Commerce Giant Zamnesia for Exclusive Cannabis Seed Launch
Premium Cannabis Seeds from Hip-Hop Legend Now Available Exclusively Through Zamnesia's Global Platform WEAVERVILLE, N.C., June 12, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zamnesia, Europe's leading online Smartshop and established U.S. online retailer, has kicked off an exclusive partnership with TICAL, the cannabis brand founded by hip-hop legend Method Man. This collaboration spotlights eight premium cannabis seeds in the U.S. and in Europe, exclusively through Zamnesia. The TICAL x Zamnesia partnership spotlights Method Man's iconic 'Killa Bee' symbolism by embracing a lifestyle that spurs creativity, inclusivity, and a deep connection to the natural world. The shared "We Bring the Buzz," program inspires an authentic, vibrant, and profoundly meaningful movement for the cannabis community. "TICAL and Zamnesia are a natural fit. We're united by a foundation of authenticity and deep roots in the cannabis culture," said Nick Avé, General Manager at Zamnesia. "Both Method Man and Zamnesia are regarded as OGs in the cannabis scene and we bring decades of experience, respect and influence to the table." The exclusive seed drop features eight premium strains personally selected and approved by Method Man, including: Shaolin Spritzer (Runtz x Mac x Blue Dream) — THC: 20%-23% Method Mac (Alien Cookies x (Colombian x Starfighter)) — THC: 21%-25% Sweet Morning Mimosa (Clementine x Purple Punch) — THC: 21%-24% 24K Gold Fangs (Kosher Kush x Tangie) — THC: 22%-26% Spazzola Garletti (Chem D x Gelato) — THC: 22%-26% Grape Gorilla Gas (Grape Ape x Gas Mask) —THC: 23%-25% La-La-La Log Cabin (Pineapple x Cookies) — THC: 20%-24% Rugged Runtz (Zkittlez x Gelato) — THC: 20%-25% "I don't put my name on just anything. These TICAL seeds? Handpicked, perfected, and ready to rep real flavor across borders. Big love to Zamnesia…for showing up and showing love," said Method Man. The campaign will leverage both Method Man's official channels and Zamnesia's global network of over 350,000 cannabis customers, combining celebrity influence with established expertise in cannabis seeds and home cultivation. "This collaboration is about more than just business—it's a celebration of a way of life," added Avé. "Together, Zamnesia and TICAL came together to honor the spirit and energy of our combined voices, sharing the passion, love and innovation that fuels the cannabis and hip-hop lifestyles." Beyond the cultural roots and pioneering presence, Zamnesia and TICAL are innovators that bring artistry to life through unique packaging, limited-edition collab strains and engaging, international campaigns that inspire communities across continents. This summer, TICAL and Zamnesia will drop an ultra-limited collab strain designed specifically for the OGs who've built the culture from the ground up. With unique genetics, exclusive collector's packaging, and a once-in-a-lifetime drop format, this highly anticipated release will ignite serious buzz on both sides of the Atlantic. U.S. cannabis enthusiasts can explore and purchase the exclusive TICAL strains at About Zamnesia Established in 2012, Zamnesia is Europe's go-to e-commerce shop for cannabis-related items and mind-enhancing products. Now serving the U.S. market, Zamnesia operates with the highest level of professionalism, reliability and service with over one million customers served. Its culture is based on teamwork and passion for cannabis and mushrooms, and a mission to make world-class natural products accessible to everyone. Zamnesia's team of experts in cannabis, mushroom cultivation techniques and endogenous substances keeps a close eye on emerging trends. Discover Zamnesia's comprehensive assortment of the best Mother Nature has to offer at About TICAL TICAL is a premium cannabis brand founded by hip-hop legend Method Man, offering high-quality cannabis products that reflect his decades of experience and passion for the plant. Named after his 1994 solo debut album, TICAL (Taking Into Consideration All Lives) embodies Method Man's commitment to authenticity, quality, and respect for cannabis culture. Learn more: View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Casey EcholsGrasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agencycaseyechols@
