This eye-catching tower offers a welcome change from surrounding glass and concrete high-rise buildings with its lush exterior. Designed by Stefano Boeri Architetti, it hosts hundreds of trees and tens of thousands of plants, making life more pleasant for those who live inside.
The Wonderwoods Vertical Forest has been in the planning stages for several years, but now construction in Utrecht, the Netherlands, has been completed. It rises to a maximum height of 104 m (341 ft), making it a significant high-rise for a European city, but not some gigantic behemoth that dominates the skyline.
The building is part of a larger development and is connected to another nearby tower. Like much of Boeri’s output over the last decade, it’s defined by its planter-filled balconies, with 360 trees and 50,000 plants made up of 30 different native species installed. According to the firm, this is equivalent to the vegetation found in 1 hectare (almost 2.5 acres) of forest.
The greenery was developed in collaboration with Laura Gatti Studio and will be maintained by specialist gardeners. A series of sensors keep an eye on the growth and sound the alert if pruning or other maintenance is required, while a rainwater capture water system is installed for irrigation.
The Wonderwoods Vertical Forest is located in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and rises to a maximum height of 104 m (341 ft)
Milan Hofmans
“This is a real urban ecosystem, a haven for the biodiversity of living species and in particular of the birds that populate the Dutch skies and find shelter in the circular holes created specifically in the facades of Wonderwoods Vertical Forest to house their nests,” says Stefano Boeri Architetti.
The Wonderwoods Vertical Forest’s interior hosts approximately 200 apartments of varying size (unfortunately no photos of those are available), along with leisure facilities, restaurants, some offices and fitness areas for residents. There is also bicycle parking and some public spaces surrounding the building.
Though the idea has been around forever, few firms are as responsible for pushing the modern trend of covering buildings in greenery as much as Stefano Boeri Architetti. Wonderwoods Vertical Forest follows a number of similar projects from the firm, including its first, the award-winning Bosco Verticale and the more recent Trudo Tower.
Ambitious plans for a bilateral summit between Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia’s Vladimir Putin appear to be stalling, only days after Donald Trump expressed confidence that such a meeting could take place within weeks.
Locations from Geneva and Vienna to Budapest or Istanbul have all been mooted as possible venues. Putin and Zelensky have not been in the same room since 2019, three years before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The US president said he had “begun arrangements” for the summit, indicating he believed Putin had agreed to it over the phone on Monday.
This may have been an optimistic reading of the conversation.
Almost at once, the Kremlin shared its own, more vague version of the exchange. Trump and Putin had discussed “the possibility of raising the level of representatives” – said aide Yuri Ushakov – and that could simply mean that ministers, instead of envoys, may take part in the talks.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that a meeting could happen “within the next two weeks”. But, he cautioned, “we don’t know whether the Russian president will have the courage to attend such a summit” and he pushed for Putin to be “persuaded”.
Trump mentioned a “rough” situation for Russia, should Putin not co-operate in the peace process, but declined to be more specific.
Now, as the diplomatic whirlwind dies down, the likelihood of a meeting between Putin and Zelensky seems to be further diminishing.
On the surface, Moscow appears to be open to taking part in bilateral talks between the two presidents. In reality, though, the preconditions it is attaching to a meeting will almost certainly prove unacceptable to the Ukrainian side.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said this week that Putin was ready to meet Zelensky provided that all “issues” that required consideration “at the highest level” were worked out. This vague yet uncompromising language has been used by the Kremlin in the past to resist Ukrainian proposals for a bilateral meeting.
Last week Trump envoy Steve Witkoff said that Russia had accepted security guarantees for Ukraine, calling it “a very significant step”.
But it now appears that the guarantees in question would be modelled on those first floated by Moscow and rejected by Kyiv in 2022, which would see Russia join a group of countries wielding a power of veto over military intervention in defence of Ukraine.
That proposal would also see a ban on Western troops being stationed in Ukraine, effectively leaving it defenceless in the event of a fresh Russian invasion. Lavrov said on Thursday that any other security framework would be “an absolutely futile undertaking”.
Zelensky, meanwhile, has said any meeting with Putin would need to come after Kyiv’s allies agreed on security guarantees – which would undoubtedly involve the support of Western forces and exclude Russia, making it the kind that Moscow would never accept.
As things stand, neither Russia nor Ukraine seem ready to budge from their long-held positions – and each is accusing the other of undermining efforts to reach a peace deal.
The possibility of a Putin-Zelensky summit may for the moment seem remote, but that has not stopped speculation about where it might take place.
In the aftermath of the diplomatic frenzy that followed the talks at the White House, Budapest was mentioned as a location for a potential meeting and the Americans were said to be in favour of it.
“They can come to Hungary at any time,” said Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Sizjjarto. “Give us an hour’s notice beforehand, and we are ready to guarantee fair, decent, safe, and equal conditions for everyone in Hungary.”
But not everybody sees the Hungarian capital as sufficiently neutral ground. Prime Minister Viktor Orban is one of the few European leaders who has maintained ties with Putin. He has also blocked funding for Ukraine and has pledged to veto Ukrainian membership to the EU.
“Let’s be honest, Budapest did not support us,” Zelensky said on Thursday. “I’m not saying that Orban’s policy was against Ukraine, but it was against supporting Ukraine,” he told reporters, adding that holding talks in Budapest would be “challenging”.
On Wednesday Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted on X that he was opposed to Budapest hosting talks. The city was the location of a 1994 summit that resulted in Kyiv surrendering its share of the Soviet nuclear arsenal in return for Russian security assurances. Those were later rendered meaningless by Moscow’s illegal 2014 annexation of Crimea and its 2022 full-scale invasion.
“Maybe I’m superstitious, but this time I would try to find another place,” quipped Tusk.
France’s Emmanuel Macron raised the possibility of the summit being held in Switzerland – a militarily neutral European country with a long history of hosting high-stakes talks. Zelensky also mooted Vienna, the seat of several international organisations.
In 2023 the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for Putin alleging war crimes in Ukraine but Switzerland and Austria – both ICC signatories – have said they would grant immunity to the Russian president if he came for peace talks.
Turkey too has been floated as an option.
There is a precedent, as Istanbul has already hosted three rounds of direct delegation-level talks between Ukraine and Russia since April, although they failed to result in any meaningful progress towards a ceasefire beyond an agreement on exchanging prisoners of war.
The Vatican and Saudi Arabia were also mentioned by Ukraine as possible locations. The Vatican has long put itself forward as a suitable venue, while Saudi Arabia has previously brokered prisoner exchanges between Kyiv and Moscow.
Away from high-level diplomacy, the war shows no sign of abating.
On Thursday Ukraine said its armed forces had struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Rostov region, which borders Ukraine’s eastern regions of the Donbas.
Russia, meanwhile, launched its biggest wave of strikes on Ukraine for weeks, killing one person and wounding many more.
“There is still no signal from Moscow that they are truly going to engage in meaningful negotiations and end this war,” Zelensky said on social media. “Pressure is needed.”
Virgin Music Group has signed a global partnership with Mom+Pop Music, adding the independent label and its roster of artists including MGMT to its distribution network.
Mom+Pop, fully owned by founder Michael “Goldie” Goldstone and co-owner Thaddeus Rudd, has been operating for 16 years.
It also represents Caamp, Del Water Gap, and Magdalena Bay, as well as genre-diverse artists like Mother Soki, After, Violent Vira, Galdive, The Kilans, Chaparelle, and Tiny Habits.
Founded in 2008, Mom+Pop aims to give musicians “more creative control and long-term support outside the major-label system,” according to a press release on Thursday (August 21).
Nat Pastor and JTMyers, Co-CEOs of Virgin Music Group, said: “Goldie and Thaddeus’s vision for Mom+Pop reflects the same independent spirit and ambition that drives everything we do at Virgin Music Group.”
“They’ve built one of the most respected and successful independent labels in the world, and their decision to partner with us is a powerful validation of what we’re building. We’re honored by their trust and excited to support Mom+Pop in this next chapter of global growth.”
“Goldie and Thaddeus’s vision for Mom+Pop reflects the same independent spirit and ambition that drives everything we do at Virgin Music Group.”
Nat Pastor & JT Myers, Virgin Music Group
Before Mom+Pop, Goldstone helped launch Pearl Jam, Cage The Elephant, Rage Against the Machine, and Regina Spektor, amont others.At Mom+Pop, he has worked with Grammy-nominated artists including Courtney Barnett, Flume, and Tycho, as well as FKJ, Orion Sun, and underscores.
Mom+Pop’s catalog includes releases from Tegan and Sara, Sleater-Kinney, Tom Morello, Porter Robinson, Sleigh Bells, Ashe, Beach Bunny, Goth Babe, and Ingrid Michaelson.
Its artists have also produced a couple of hit records including Flume’s Skin, which spawned the multi-platinum, top-10 pop hit Never Be Like You (2 billion streams), Ashe’s platinum single Moral of the Story (2b streams), and Beach Bunny’s Prom Queen and Cloud 9, both platinum-certified hits.
“Goldie made a significant impact on my career, showing me how A&R and artist development go hand in hand.”
JacquelineSaturn, Virgin Music Group
JacquelineSaturn, President of North America and EVP, Global Artist Relations at Virgin Music Group, said: “Goldie made a significant impact on my career, showing me how A&R and artist development go hand in hand.
“I’ve watched Goldie and Thaddeus build such a meaningful roster and outstanding team at Mom+Pop. Their ability to identify, nurture and break independent artists with authenticity and heart is truly exceptional. We can’t wait to get started.”
“Thaddeus and I have worked with JT, Nat, Jacqueline, and Jeremy in different capacities over the years, and that shared history—along with their entrepreneurial spirit—was the catalyst for this partnership.”
Michael Goldstone, Mom+Pop
Goldstone said: “Partnering with the team at Virgin is positively the right fit for us—they’ve been the most flexible and respectful of our ethos and independence.”
“Thaddeus and I have worked with JT, Nat, Jacqueline, and Jeremy in different capacities over the years, and that shared history—along with their entrepreneurial spirit—was the catalyst for this partnership.”
Rudd added: “Virgin is a place where entrepreneurs are empowered. We share a deep belief in artistry, a passion for music, and a commitment to independent music. That shared foundational view will be a powerful next chapter for Mom+Pop.”
The Virgin partnership follows the launch of Goldstone and Rudd’s new creative and digital agency PIPES Music earlier this year. PIPES provides content creation and social media campaign strategies for Mom+Pop artists and acts and other external clients.
“Virgin is a place where entrepreneurs are empowered. We share a deep belief in artistry, a passion for music, and a commitment to independent music. That shared foundational view will be a powerful next chapter for Mom+Pop.”
Thaddeus Rudd, Mom+Pop
Elsewhere at the indie label, Mom+Pop last week appointedZoeBarton as Executive Vice President of Digital, Viral (Pipes), Commerce, and Marketing. She joined the company from ORIGIN, where she served as General Manager and Head of Creative, leading digital strategy and campaigns for artists including A$APRocky, LISA, and ONEOKROCK.
new video loaded: Anxiety Mounts in Gaza City as Israel Threatens a New Offensive
By Saher Alghorra For The New York Times and Nader Ibrahim•
The Israeli military announced its operation to take Gaza City, where many displaced Palestinians have taken refuge, was underway on Thursday, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considered a cease-fire proposal.
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Israeli troops have begun advancing on Gaza City as part of the military’s plan to besiege and occupy the area. Despite a global outcry, the Netanyahu government is pressing forward with the assault. Soraya Lennie explains what we know.
German prosecutors say a Ukrainian man has been arrested in Italy on suspicion of blowing up the Nord Stream gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea, several months after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The man, identified only as Serhii K, was arrested in the province of Rimini and was part of a group who planted explosives under the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines from Russia to Germany, federal prosecutors say.
The Ukrainian is suspected of being one of the masterminds of the operation, which involved charting a yacht and sailing from the German port of Rostock.
Ukraine has denied involvement in the blasts, which severed a key source of natural gas for Europe.
Although Nord Stream 2 never went into operation, Nord Stream 1’s two pipelines had provided a steady supply 1,200km (745 miles) under the Baltic from the Russian coast to north-eastern Germany.
Shortly before Russia’s invasion, Germany had cancelled its process to approve Nord Stream 2, which was 100% owned by Russian gas giant Gazprom. Months later, Russia shut down Nord Stream 1.
Then, on 26 September 2022, several explosions were recorded close to the Danish island of Bornholm that ruptured three of the four pipelines.
Mystery surrounded the identity of the saboteurs – however last year German reports suggested a team of Ukrainian divers had hired a German yacht and sailed out into the Baltic to attack the pipelines.
German prosecutors issued a warrant for the arrest of a diver named Volodymyr Z last August.
They said the suspect held in Rimini would be brought before an investigating judge after he was extradited from Italy.
The prosecutors said the man was “strongly suspected of jointly causing an explosion and of sabotage undermining the constitution”.
There is no evidence so far linking Ukraine, Russia or any other state to the attacks.
Starbucks will provide a flat 2% pay bump to all salaried employees in North America this year as the coffee chain looks to minimize costs as part of CEO Brian Niccol’s turnaround efforts.
Under Niccol’s leadership, Starbucks has required some remote workers to relocate to its headquarters and tightened return-to-office policies for corporate employees. The flat 2% pay raise is a shift from the company’s previous compensation model that let managers weigh in on how much of a raise their salaried direct reports received.
The salary hike, first reported this week by Bloomberg and confirmed by Fortune, will apply to all salaried employees, including corporate employees, workers in manufacturing and distribution, and store managers. The uniform increase will not apply to baristas, who are hourly employees.
Starbucks is hoping to turn around its business with Niccol at the helm, who had previously helped improve financial results at Chipotle. The coffee chain has asked executives to limit costs to help pay for efforts to create better service, improve wait times, and make stores more inviting, according to Bloomberg.
“As we make these significant investments, we need to carefully manage all our other costs,” the company said in an internal email reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
How Starbucks’ salary hike stacks up
The 2% pay raise lags behind the U.S. inflation rate of 2.7% and average salary increases measured by different surveys.
A recent Payscale survey found U.S. employers increased salary budgets by an average of 3.6% this year, and are expecting this average to edge down to 3.5% in 2026.
Ruth Thomas, Payscale’s chief compensation strategist, told Fortune the move to lower pay increase budgets is not surprising as economic concerns like tariffs and policy uncertainty have pushed businesses to be more conservative.
“Economic concerns have now overtaken labor competition as the primary driver of compensation decisions,” Thomas said. “Sixty-six percent of employers cite this as the reason for pulling back, up 17 percentage points from last year.”
A recent Korn Ferrysurvey found that in the U.S., an average of 3.6% salary increases are forecasted in 2025. This accounts for senior leadership positions, junior hourly roles and everything in between. Six percent of survey respondents were retail companies.
Yet, the survey also found that despite 88% of respondents anticipating revenue growth, one-third have already reduced salary budgets due to economic uncertainty, creating tension between talent retention and cost management.
Korn Ferry North America Workforce Reward & Benefits Leader Ron Seifert told Fortune a modest pay increase of 2% can be counteracted by above-market pay. As of mid-August 2025, the average hourly pay for a Starbucks corporate employee in the U.S. is $15.23 an hour.
As for a flat increase for all employees, Seifert said high performers may be compensated in other ways outside of their pay raise.
“We know most employers try to make sure that they’re taking care of their high performers and are mindful of the impact of the messages that they’re sending when they’re doing something different,” Seifert said. “My guess is that (the employers) also have other mechanisms for rewarding those individuals that just have not become as public.”
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