Exclusive pop-up restaurant “The Cube” opens up in London

A new pop-up restaurant “The Cube” has now opened atop the Royal Festival Hall in London.  This exclusive and cool  restaurant is a creation of the company Elexctrolux in celebration of their kitchenware products.  The restaurant has just finished touring Berlin and Milan and is now scheduled to be in London until the 30^th of September 2012.

The Cube was designed by Italian architects Park Associati.  It is made entirely from glass giving guests maximum visibly of the views across the Thames, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.  The interiors are minimalistic with a simplistic layout and contrasting colours between the white dining fittings, and the dark wood flooring.

Guests can watch as their meals are prepared in an open-concept kitchen manned by six renowned chefs including Tim Kitichin, Sat Bains, Claude Bosi, Daniel Clifford and Jonray and Peter Sanchez. Each chef has designed an exclusive menu which will be kept as a fully guarded secret until guests arrive.  With an intimate setting which seats up to 18 people, you can be sure that the experience will feel personal and exclusive.

Open daily, lunch will be offered at 12:00 for £175 and dinners will be offered at £19:00 for £215.

Madonna fans leave 'worst ever' gig thirty minutes early

Star finishes first England show in four years 90 seconds before curfew

Fans complain at lack of hits played at show which failed to sell out

There were cheeky flourishes but Madonna dipped into one of popular music's great back catalogues only occasionally

Angry Madonna fans branded her Hyde Park gig “the worst ever” as they left the venue early in their droves last night.

Hundreds of fans walked out of the London leg of the singer’s MDNA tour with more than half an hour remaining.

The 53-year-old, playing her first concert in England in four years, finished 90 seconds before the 10.30pm curfew that would have seen her unplugged like Bruce Springsteen three days earlier.

But many fans, frustrated by a lack of hits, low volume, and a number of “gothy” reworkings of songs, chose not to stay for the finale.

High ticket prices appeared to keep some fans away altogether. The show failed to sell out and as the show began touts were hawking tickets for less than half their £77 face value. 

On eBay some tickets failed to sell despite starting prices as low as £10. One entrepreneur’s attempt to cash in by selling two Golden Triangle passes for £850 attracted zero bids.

Rick Salthouse, 46, a gym owner from Manchester, said: “It was the worst gig I have ever been to. I've been a big Madonna fan all my life but I will never buy one of her records again.”

Alex Tobin, 35, a bank worker from Beckenham, said: “It was a huge disappointment. I didn’t recognise 95 per cent of the songs. Most people were bored.”

His wife Sinead Tobin, 35, a doctor, said: “It was OK to begin with but the rain didn’t help. It changed the mood of the crowd.”

However Adam Cook, 28, from Milton Keynes, said: “She was brilliant but for the casual fan there was not a lot. We went to see her show in Berlin and they went mental, it was the same show.”

TV presenter Toby Anstis wrote on Twitter: “I can definitely say, that was THE best live show i have ever seen! Mesmerising from start to finish! Amaaaazin!”

Kylie Mingoue, George Michael, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and U2 rocker Adam Clayton were spotted in the golden circle at the front of the stage at the gig.

Among fans who stayed for the whole concert, reaction was mixed.  And Springsteen had a dig at the officials who pulled the plug on him in London. Playing in Dublin last night The Boss told the crowd: “Before we were so rudely interrupted..” before playing the lost final chords of Twist and Shout.

His band then tore into The Clash’s protest song ‘I Fought The Law’, while during ‘Dancing in the Dark’ video screens showed only a generator battery switched firmly “on”.

Idol in crisis as Aerosmith rocker Tyler quits show and J.Lo weighs up future

ROCKER Steven Tyler has bowed out of his job as a judge on American Idol for the coming season, saying he wants to dedicate himself to Aerosmith. Tyler's departure comes as his fellow judge Jennifer Lopez also weighs whether to return to the programme that once reigned supreme in US TV ratings, but has seen its audience shrink in recent years. A third panellist, Randy Jackson, seems a likely bet to return for the programme's 12th season as either a judge or mentor. "I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I'm back," the band's lead singer said. "I've decided it's time for me to let go of my mistress, American Idol, before she boils my rabbit," Tyler added, in a reference to the movie Fatal Attraction. "I got two fists in the air, and I'm kicking the door open with my band." Tyler, 64, and Aerosmith had amassed numerous hits like Walk This Way and I Don't Want To Miss a Thing since gaining fame in the 1970s, but had reached a lull a few years back when the singer decided to join American Idol. The addition of Tyler and Lopez to the judging panel in the 2011 season sparked great interest in the Fox TV network's hit show. But the most recent season, which ended in May, had the lowest-rated finale in 11 years, with just 21.5m tuning in to watch Phillip Phillips win the title. More than 30m viewers watched the show's finale in its heyday in 2006 and 2007. Mark Darnell, president of alternative entertainment for Fox, said: "We are very sad that Steven has chosen to focus more on his music, but we always knew when we hired a rock 'n' roll legend that he would go back to music." Indeed, Tyler's return to performing seemed foremost on his mind in March when Aerosmith announced it would go on tour in June and release its first album in eight years. Still in doubt is the fate of Lopez, who seemed still undecided about her next move, on NBC's Today show. "It's been on my mind a lot, as you can imagine," she said. "You know, I signed on to American Idol to do one year, and ... I wound up doing the two years. And now it's like, 'okay, do we continue on this journey?'."

Twilight cast get their teeth into huge party to celebrate saga's final film

THE stars of Twilight gathered for the final time at the Comic-Con pop culture convention, laughing and joking with fans as they reflected on a "bittersweet" end to the film franchise that catapulted them to fame. The Twilight films -- five in all based on a series of young adult novels by author Stephenie Meyer about a vampire, Edward Cullen, who falls in love with Bella Swan -- have become a blockbuster franchise earning $2.5bn at global box offices from the first four films alone. The final instalment, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 2" is due out in November. "If you told me tomorrow that we had to reshoot some scene, I'd be so happy because I do enjoy living in this world. "We got to do it for four years and I put everything I had into it," said Kristen Stewart, who plays Swan. "Even though it's a bummer to walk away, it's something I'll always have." She was joined by fellow actors Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, author Meyer and newcomer Mackenzie Foy, who plays Edward and Bella's daughter, Renesmee. Comic-Con attracts more than 125,000 movie, TV, comic book and pop culture fans annually, and Hollywood's studios turn out with upcoming films and stars to promote. The Twilight makers used the convention as a launching pad for the first film in 2008 and they continue to return to reach hard-core followers. Thousands of fans lined up for hours, and for some people, days, to get into a Comic-Con panel where the stars talked about the film and treated fans to the first seven minutes of Breaking Dawn -- Part 2. In the clip, Bella is seen experiencing her first moments as a vampire, reuniting with husband Edward and coming to terms with her new found bloodlust. The footage ended just as Bella meets Renesmee, leaving the audience desperate for more thrills. Comic-Con fans were also treated to a short clip showing the new Bella having to disguise herself as a human. Questions from the audience focused on the actors' personal highlights over the last four years of filming. The cast appeared in a jovial mood, teasing each other and sharing stories from the film shoot. They said Comic-Con provided an opportunity to reconnect with some of their most rabid fans.

Mariah Carey is reportedly in talks to join American Idol in the wake of Steven Tyler's exit.

Mariah Carey is rumoured to be in talks to join the judging panel on American Idol

 

The chart-topping singer - who was tipped for a slot on Simon Cowell's US X Factor before Britney Spears and Demi Lovato signed up - is considering joining the judging panel of the TV talent show, reports People.

An insider said the mother-of-two is "in play", adding: "They are in serious talks."

The news comes after Aerosmith rocker Steven announced he was leaving Idol after two seasons to focus on his music.

It seems there might be a complete shake-up on Idol as Jennifer Lopez, who had been sharing the judging panel with Steven and Randy Jackson, has also hinted that there is a good likelihood that she will not be back.

And Us Weekly is reporting that there are plans for Randy, the only original judge left, to move from the panel to a mentoring role on the show.

An insider claimed: "They are in serious talks with Mariah and it's very close to being a done deal.

"And they will move Randy into a more mentoring role."

Farrell gives take on Recall remake

Colin Farrell has said he does not think he's supplanting Arnold Schwarzenegger in the new take on Total Recall. Farrell told fans at the Comic-Con convention that his version of Schwarzenegger's 1990 science-fiction thriller may be a remake, but it has a different style and tone that makes the story its own. "I didn't feel the need to fill those size 16 shoes or 18 shoes or whatever size foot Arnie has. The film felt different enough that I could go and make it my own," Farrell said. "I did think about messing around with an Austrian accent for about seven minutes." Total Recall is inspired by a short story from science-fiction master Philip K Dick. It is about a working-class guy (Farrell) who discovers hidden memories that hint at a former life as a deadly operative, and co-stars Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel. The movie opens on August 3. It is directed by Beckinsale's husband, Len Wiseman, who also directed her in the vampire tale Underworld and its first sequel. Beckinsale takes on the role originally played by Sharon Stone, the seemingly loving wife who turns out to be a deadly agent playing out an elaborate deception. "I'm still offended that you thought of me for this psycho-bitch role," Beckinsale told her husband during the Comic-Con panel. "But it's nice to be able to open up the crazy a little bit." The film-makers showed a montage of about six minutes of footage of the futuristic world of Total Recall, including a police car chase with flying vehicles and a savage scene of close-quarter fighting in an elevator. One of the big differences between the two versions is that the new one sticks to Earth, while the original concluded on Mars. Farrell also said the new one sets aside a lot of the campy humour of Schwarzenegger's movie. "This is played a lot straighter," Farrell said. "What I'm saying is, I don't have one-liners."

EDDIE GRIFFIN Gets Into Drink-Throwing Fight During His Own Show

Eddie Griffin responded the only way he knew how when a woman threw a drink at him during his own stand-up show ... he threw one back ... and it was all caught on video.

Police in Pleasanton, CA tell TMZ they were called to Tommy T's Comedy Club on Friday night after a fight broke out when a woman became so offended at Griffin's act ... she threw a drink at him while he was on stage. 

The video obtained by TMZ begins after the woman threw the drink and Griffin can be seen retaliating, pouring his bottle of water on her and then tossing it at her. 

Security had the woman removed from the venue and the club closed down for the night after the fracas. 

The club did not want anyone arrested and the woman was gone by the time police got there.

A British photographer's adorable images of puppies, ducklings and even kittens in hammocks will brighten up any rainy day.

Master of cuteness Mark Taylor's images are in demand all over the world for the purr-fect way they capture a softer side to our best-loved animals.

His photographs are a legacy from his late mother Jane Burton who pioneered the style so familiar on calendars in offices and maths teacher classrooms everywhere.

Fosset the kitten with a yellow gosling: Photographer Mark Taylor is famous around the world for his cute shots of animals in unusual poses

Fosset cuddles up to his gosling friend: Mr Taylor's photographs are a legacy from his late mother Jane Burton who pioneered the style

 

Stanley the kitten with a duckling: Despite the menacing look in Stanley's eyes, Mr Taylor has never had any incidents where one subject ate another

Using a simple clean white background and some unusual animal pairings Mr Taylor's style has seen him make the cover of prestigious wildlife magazine National Geographic.

In this set of heart-warming images Mr Taylor shows why he's one of the best in his field tapping into that desire in us all to see something fluffy.

 

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• Women cat owners are 'more likely to kill themselves' due to higher chance of infection with parasite found in feline faeces

 

From ducklings with puppies, to dogs with kittens and even rabbits Mark captures them all on camera as if they were the best and friends.

And thankfully so far he's had no case of any of them eating each other.

Hear me roar: Kittens Stanley and Fosset have a cuddle

 

Guess who! Stanley holds his paws over Fosset's face as they play

 

King of the castle: Stanley climbs on top of Fosset

 

Not just for Christmas: Stanley and Fosset pose inside a gift box

Touch on that: Stanley offers his paw for a fist bump. Right, he poses with a bright red flower

 

Oh you! Stanley gestures towards the camera as he lies in a hammock

 

Time for a cat nap: Stanley and Fosset enjoy a snooze

Keeping it in the family: Mr Taylor's daughter Siena, pictured with Stanley, helps to pose the animals for her father's photo shoots

Mr Taylor, 47, creates his images all at his home studio Warren Photographic, in Guildford, Surrey.

His father Kim is a world-renowned wildlife photographer. His mother Jane, who died in 2007 after a brave battle against cancer, was one of the first to use a unique style now so well adopted by her son.

Mr Taylor, a father of one, said: 'There have been a few close shaves when we have put the different animals together, but we often "introduce" the animals to a rabbit in a cage first to gauge the reaction.

'If the dog starts licking its lips we know it might not work out well, and for example it's best not to put a Jack Russell next to a rabbit.

'I have helpers in the studio and some of the animals extras we have here, for example we have six rabbits, but others we have to bring in.

'The key to the photograph is making sure the animals are not doing anything they don't want to do because I think you can tell if they are not enjoying themselves.

'My mother was a pioneer if you like of this idea of using the clean white backgrounds and I like to think I am carrying on her legacy.'

You wanna start something? Stanley goes nose to nose with a Bichon Fris

 

My big mate: Stanley nuzzles up with Great Dane pup Tia

 

Where u go? Stanley and Tia have a play

Keeping it in the family Mr Taylor's daughter Siena, 10, is also on hand to pose up with the animals in the pictures.

Mr Taylor, who uses a Cannon 1DS Mark III camera, said that he felt his photographs were so popular because they tap into an desire in us all to relate to animals.

He said: 'I think the fascinating aspect of this type of photography is that it taps into something in us all that sees ourselves and human emotions in our pets and other animals.'

Barclays boss Bob Diamond resigns

Barclays chief executive Bob Diamond has resigned with immediate effect. The move comes less than a week after the bank was fined a record amount for trying to manipulate inter-bank lending rates. Mr Diamond said he was stepping down because the external pressure on the bank risked "damaging the franchise". Chairman Marcus Agius, who said on Monday he was stepping down, will take over the running of Barclays until a replacement is found. "I am deeply disappointed that the impression created by the events announced last week about what Barclays and its people stand for could not be further from the truth," Mr Diamond said in a statement. He will still appear before MPs on the Treasury Committee to answer questions about the Libor affair on Wednesday. "I look forward to fulfilling my obligation to contribute to the Treasury Committee's enquiries related to the settlements that Barclays announced last week without my leadership in question," Mr Diamond said. Last week, regulators in the US and UK fined Barclays £290m ($450m) for attempting to rig Libor and Euribor, the interest rates at which banks lend to each other, which underpin trillions of pounds worth of financial transactions. Staff did this over a number of years, trying to raise them for profit and then, during the financial crisis, lowering them to hide the level to which Barclays was under financial stress. Prime Minister David Cameron has described the rigging of Libor rates as "a scandal". The Serious Fraud Office is also considering whether to bring criminal charges.