Zelensky: "I'm not playing cards here!" Stopping the war is not a "deal" on rare earth metals, but the US obligation under the Budapest Memorandum!!!

Zelensky in the Oval Office: Tough Negotiations with Trump on Ukraine Support

Washington, February 28, 2025 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at the Oval Office for negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting comes amid growing concerns about a possible reduction in American military and financial aid to Ukraine.

Key Issue – Continued U.S. Support

From the beginning of his presidency, Trump has made it clear that he will reassess U.S. strategy regarding Ukraine. He has repeatedly stated that Europe should bear a greater financial burden and that the U.S. should not fund the war indefinitely.

Zelensky, on the other hand, emphasizes that cutting off support for Ukraine could have catastrophic consequences for European security and weaken the U.S.'s global standing.

"This is not just a political issue – it is a matter of international obligations," Zelensky said before the meeting, reminding everyone of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, in which the U.S. guaranteed Ukraine’s security in exchange for giving up its nuclear arsenal.

Trump: "America Will Not Pay for Foreign Wars"

According to sources close to the White House, during the talks, Trump reiterated his stance that "America will not pay for foreign wars" and that his administration is ready to propose a new framework for resolving the conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron is a new Face of BOSS Magazine № 3, 2025

President Macron: The Modern Architect of Diplomacy Reinventing a French Legacy
BOSS Magazine, March 2025

The BOSS Magazine selected French President Macron as its March 2025 cover figure; it wasn’t merely a nod to his political stature but a recognition of his visionary reimagining of diplomacy in an era of unprecedented global fractures. From spearheading climate resilience pacts to mediating high-stakes conflicts, Macron’s actions in January and February 2025 have underscored France’s enduring role as a cradle of diplomatic innovation, a legacy rooted in the very origins of the term “diplomacy” itself.

The French DNA of Diplomacy

The word “diplomacy” derives from the French diplomatie, tracing back to the Greek diploma (folded document), reflecting France’s historical role in systematizing statecraft. From Cardinal Richelieu’s 17th-century realpolitik to the Congress of Vienna’s balance-of-power principles, France pioneered multilateralism, international law, and the art of negotiation. It was France that institutionalized the resident ambassador, a practice adopted globally, and French remains the lingua franca of international treaties. Macron, a student of this heritage, has infused modern geopolitics with a distinctly French blend of idealism and pragmatism.

EdTech is a Trend Driving Market Growth

As academia becomes more and more attractive and competitive, tutoring is also increasing in popularity worldwide. Growing awareness of the general, so-called "basic literacy" and the importance of education in a person's career has significantly accelerated the overall growth of education and related industries. 

GLOBAL PRIVATE ADDITIONAL EDUCATION MARKET

The global private tutoring market size was valued at USD 97.11 billion in 2023, USD 102.08 billion in 2024 and reached USD 132.21 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.91% during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific dominated the private tutoring market with a market share of 59% in 2024. Moreover, the private tutoring market size in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 15.74 billion by 2032, driven by rising academic competition to augment market size growth.

Private tutoring in the UK is now an industry worth approximately £6.5 billion. It's approximately 170,000 British students who attend a school deemed 'inadequate' by their standards.

New trends like online tutoring are seeing especially prominent growth, which may be partly attributable to the familiarity with remote learning that developed during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

SEGMENTAL OUTLOOK

The anti-Musk protest movement is expected to ramp up with Congress on recess

The anti-Musk protest movement is expected to ramp up with Congress on recess

Donald Trump is the president, but billionaire Elon Musk is the focus for thousands of Democratic activists launching a protest campaign this week to fight the Trump administration's push to gut federal health, education and human services agencies.

Hundreds of protests are scheduled outside congressional offices and Tesla dealerships, with organizers hoping to send a pointed message to members of Congress who are on recess this week.

The backlash still hasn't approached the intensity of protests during and after Trump's first inauguration eight years ago. But a loose coalition of Democrats and progressives is coalescing around Musk's rise as Trump's top lieutenant and his purge of the federal bureaucracy.

“He’s a major weak link in the MAGA coalition,” Ezra Levin, co-founder of the progressive group Indivisible, said of Musk. “I can’t think of something that polls worse than the richest man in the world is coming after your Social Security check or your Meals on Wheels or your Head Start.”

Holding Aggressors Accountable: The Path to Justice for Ukraine Under International Law

 

These children were killed yesterday in Kyiv, Odesa, Vinnitsya, Kharkiv, Kherson, Dnipro, Lviv, Rivne, Sumy... by russian missiles.

The Legal Imperative
As of 2025, international law remains unequivocal: individuals responsible for launching wars of aggression, perpetrating occupation, and targeting civilians face severe legal consequences. The atrocities committed in Ukraine – including the deliberate killing of children, women, elderly, and thousands of non-combatants – constitute violations of the most fundamental principles of humanity. Accountability is not optional; it is a legal obligation for the international community.

Putin’s Crimes and Violations of International Law

From the war's outset in February 2022, Russia's actions have constituted gross violations of international law and the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Key violations include:

1. Violation of Ukraine’s Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity
   Russia’s invasion flagrantly disregards Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. The illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent occupation of Ukrainian territories exemplify Moscow's imperial ambitions.

2. War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity
   Documented atrocities include deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure, mass killings in Bucha and Irpin, sexual violence, forced deportations, and the targeting of hospitals, schools, and cultural sites. These acts breach the Geneva Conventions and constitute war crimes.

3. Use of Banned Weaponry
   The Russian military has employed cluster munitions and thermobaric weapons, which are prohibited under international humanitarian law. These weapons indiscriminately kill civilians and exacerbate human suffering.

4. Forced Deportations and Kidnappings
   Over 19,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia, a crime condemned as genocide by international legal experts. This violates the Genocide Convention and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

5. Weaponizing Energy and Food Supplies
   Russia has blockaded Ukrainian grain exports, threatening global food security, and manipulated energy supplies to Europe, violating UN norms against economic coercion.

6. Targeting of Nuclear Infrastructure
   The occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and threats of nuclear escalation undermine the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and pose risks of catastrophic consequences.

Germany's front-runner Merz: a “fighter” unafraid to court controversy

EXCLUSIVE: 'Sparks could fly' between Donald Trump and Friedrich Merz, who is tipped to be Germany's next Chancellor, an expert says.

Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz (born 11 November 1955) is a German politician who has served as Leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since January 2022 and led the CDU/CSU (Union) parliamentary group as well as being Leader of the Opposition in the Bundestag since February 2022. In September 2024, he became the Union's candidate for Chancellor of Germany ahead of the 2025 federal election.

Friedrich Merz: Germany’s Comeback Conservative Staking His Claim

He’s been dismissed as a relic, a polarizing figure, and even a political gambler. Yet Friedrich Merz, 69, now stands closer than ever to the chancellorship—a role he’s chased for decades. To supporters, he’s the antidote to Germany’s leadership malaise; to critics, a symbol of the Christian Democratic Union’s (CDU) rightward lurch.

The Taboo-Breaking Gambit

‘Not My President’s Day’: Thousands Gather in Protest Against Trump and Musk

Protesters rallied in cities across the United States yesterday, Presidents’ Day, demonstrating against President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and what organizers call “the antidemocratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration.” This “No Kings Day” protest was the second set of rallies organized by the 50501 movement (“50 protests, 50 states, one movement”), with more planned in the future. Gathered below are images of some of these rallies, ranging from Alaska and California to Massachusetts and Florida.

The main reasons behind the protests included harsh immigration policies, attempts to cut federal agencies, and the appointment of Elon Musk as the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk, as a powerful businessman, was granted extensive authority, including access to confidential Treasury Department information and initiatives to reduce foreign aid. This raised concerns among citizens, who chanted slogans such as "Nobody voted for Musk."

Why BOSS Magazine Chose Biden on 2025 Cover not Trump: TOP 4 + -

Why BOSS Magazine Chose Joe Biden for February 2025 Cover Over Donald Trump

In a move that reflects the shifting geopolitical landscape, authoritative BOSS Magazine selected President Joe Biden for its February 2025 cover rather than former President Donald Trump. The decision was based on Biden’s strategic accomplishments in the first month of his new term, which contrasted sharply with the geopolitical missteps of Trump’s early leadership.

Biden’s Early Geopolitical Achievements

1. Reinforcing Global Alliances
   In the wake of shifting international dynamics, Biden swiftly moved to restore and strengthen America’s global partnerships. His administration reaffirmed commitments to NATO and the European Union, securing vital defence and trade agreements that had been strained under Trump.

2. Stabilizing Relations with China
   Through high-level diplomatic engagements, Biden successfully reinitiated trade discussions with China, working toward a balanced approach that benefits both economies while reducing tensions in the South China Sea.

3. Leadership in Climate Policy
   Biden made a landmark decision to push forward new international climate initiatives, securing commitments from major economies to reduce emissions and invest in renewable energy—an area largely ignored by the previous administration.

4. Reviving U.S. Credibility on the World Stage
   In contrast to Trump's often isolationist policies, Biden’s outreach to global leaders helped restore America’s standing as a reliable partner in international diplomacy, reinforcing ties with allies in Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

Trump’s Geopolitical Missteps in His First Month

Full London Fashion Week 2025 schedule

Full London Fashion Week 2025 schedule
Thursday, February 20

4pm - Pull&Bear presents Canvas for Creativity by Chet Lo and Johanna Parv at Selfridges

5.30pm-7.30pm - E.L.V. Denim presentation (Menswear & Womenswear)

8pm - Harris Reed catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

9pm - Central Saint Martins MA Fashion catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - 1664 Blanc presents Joseph Lawrence at Louie

Evening Event - Blue Nude presents the Art Party (Womenswear)

Evening Event - E.L.V. DENIM After Party at 1Hotels Mayfair (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Fashion Crossover London Presents: The Rising Stars (Womenswear)

Evening Event - Fashion Hong Kong Runway & After Party AW25 (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Helen Anthony Presentation and Afterparty at Helen Anthony Flagship Store (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Justin Cassin AW25 Runway (Menswear)

Evening Event - Nosakhari – Able-Graphy* Exhibition Private View (Accessories)

Evening Event - On|Off WHotel Brockmans Gin Opening Party

Evening Event - Pandora x Ahluwalia Engraving Collection Launch Event

Evening Event - Represent x Selfridges Womenswear Launch Dinner

Evening Event - Saul Nash & lululemon celebrate new collaboration, presented by Dazed (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Studio Nicholson Celebrates 15 Years | East London Store Launch (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Vout-O-Reenee's Presents Vestiaire - An Exhibition Inspired by Fashion (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Wolf & Badger Fashion Week Launch Party (Menswear & Womenswear)
Friday, February 21.



8am-9am - BFC Network Breakfast

9am - Paul Costelloe catwalk (Womenswear)

9.30am-11.30am - Stephen Jones Millinery presentation (Accessories)

10am - S.S.Daley catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

10.30am-12.30pm - Noon By Noor presentation (Womenswear)

11am - Mithridate (Menswear & Womenswear)

11.30am-1.30pm - Talia Byre presentation (Womenswear)

Noon - Bora Aksu catwalk (Womenswear)

12.30pm-2.30pm - Lueder presentation in Newgen presentation space (Menswear & Womenswear)

2pm - Completedworks catwalk (Accessories)

2.30pm-4.30pm - Dreaming Eli presentation (Womenswear)

2.30pm-6.30pm - Temperley London presentation (Womenswear)

4pm - Mark Fast catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

5pm - Di Petsa catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

5.30pm-7.30pm - London College of Fashion, UAL (Menswear & Womenswear)

6pm - Fashion East catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

7pm - Richard Quinn catwalk (Womenswear)

8pm - Dilara Findikoglu catwalk (Womenswear)

Evening Event - Aartivijay Gupta autumn/winter 2025 runway (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Ahkeke AW25 catwalk (Womenswear)

Evening Event - Coracho Tequila fashion party

Evening Event - Flair Fashion: Frontier Collective runway & after-party (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - INF AW25 Runway (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Malan Breton AW25 Collection and Film Exhibition (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Pippa Todorson presents: London Reimagined (Womenswear)

Evening Event - Poet-Lab AW25 Runway (Womenswear)

Evening Event - Tell The Truth autumn/winter 2025 (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - This Is Icon - The Concert. Red-carpet fashion and music runway for Demelza charity

Evening Event - UA in UK Fashion Show (Menswear & Womenswear)

Saturday, February 228.30am-9.30am - Alo Wellness Breakfast

10am - Edeline Lee catwalk (Womenswear)

11am - Charlie Constantinou (Menswear & Womenswear)

Noon - Denzilpatrick catwalk (Menswear)

1pm - SRVC catwalk (Womenswear)

2pm - Sinead Gorey catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

3pm - Huishan Zhang catwalk (Womenswear)

3.30pm-5.30pm - Ray Chu presentation (Menswear & Womenswear)

5pm - Sinéad O'Dwyer catwalk (Womenswear)

6pm - Jawara Alleyne catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

7.30pm-9.30pm - Labrum London (Menswear & Womenswear)

8pm - Pauline Dujancourt (Womenswear)

9pm - Ingrid Kraftchenko catwalk (Womenswear)

Evening Event - 16Arlington Private Event

Evening Event - A Runway Show by Helen Anthony (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Alchemy of Ashes: Genaro Rivas AW25 Catwalk (Womenswear)

Evening Event - All Things Fashion - Fashionista Event (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Annie’s Ibiza - Runway show (Womenswear)

Evening Event - Banshee of Savile Row fashion show (Womenswear)

Evening Event - India Day HCI London by NIF Global & London School of Trends (Womenswear)

Evening Event - John Richmond Collection event (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - John Richmond party (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Karina Bond AW25 catwalk Memories of the Future

Evening Event - LEM Autumn/Winter 2025 – AW26 Catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - London Ethnic and BI Present: The Future of Fashion (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Yuhan Ao – The Untold Tale (AW25 catwalk) (Menswear & Womenswear)

Sunday, February 2310.30am-12.30pm - Kazna Asker presentation (Menswear & Womenswear)

11am - Keburia catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

Noon - Roksanda catwalk (Womenswear)

1pm - Toga catwalk (Womenswear)

2pm - Emilia Wickstead catwalk (Womenswear)

3pm - Chet Lo catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

4pm - Simone Rocha catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

5pm - Conner Ives catwalk (Womenswear)

5.30pm-7.30pm - Bloke presentation (Menswear & Womenswear)

6pm - Erdem catwalk (Womenswear)

6.30pm-8.30pm - Tolu Coker presentation (Menswear & Womenswear)

7pm - Kent&Curwen catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

8pm - Paolo Carzana (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Aaron Esh AW25 capsule launch dinner (Womenswear)

Evening Event - Bastard Aristocrat - Hector Maclean AW25 Catwalk and After Party (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Khanh Brice Nguyen AW25 - Ghost Dancer - Runway (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Wanni Fuga AW25 presentation and drinks reception (Womenswear)






Monday, February 249am - Ashish catwalk (Womenswear)

10am-10.09am - DiscoveryLAB presents: Pinanki (Womenswear)

10.10am-10.19am - DiscoveryLAB presents: Ala Tianan (Menswear)

10.20am-10.29am - DiscoveryLAB presents: Critter (Womenswear)

10.30am-10.39am - DiscoveryLAB presents: Raquel de Carvalho (Womenswear)

10.30am-4pm LFW Nergen Showcase: Ancuta Sarca, Johanna Parv, Karoline Vitto, Kazna Asker, Lueder, Masha Popova, Paolo Carzana, Pauline Dujancourt (Menswear & Womenswear)

10.40am-10.49am - DiscoveryLAB presents: Project N11 (Menswear)

10.50am-10.59am - DiscoveryLAB presents: s-d-c-a (Womenswear)

11am-11.14am - Apujan (Menswear & Womenswear)

11.15am-11.29am - Demon Zhang (Menswear & Womenswear)

11.30am-13.30am - Malone Souliers (Accessories)

11.30am-11.44am - Tursi (Accessories)

11.45am-11.59am - Hĕracha (Menswear & Womenswear)

Noon to 12.14pm - Pindiga Ranjith Kumar (Womenswear)

12.15pm-12.29pm - Leo Carlton digital event (Accessories)

12.30pm-12.44pm - Karoline Vitto digital event (Womenswear)

12.30pm-14.30pm - Yaku digital event (Menswear & Womenswear)

12.45pm-12.59pm - Steve O Smith digital event (Menswear & Womenswear)

1pm-1.14pm - The Winter House digital event (Accessories)

1.15pm-1.29pm - Masha Popova digital event (Womenswear)

1.30pm-1.44pm - Derrick digital event (Menswear)

1.45pm-1.59pm - Ancuta Sarca digital event (Accessories)

2pm-2.14pm - Johanna Parv digital event (Womenswear)

2.15pm-2.29pm - London College of Fashion, UAL digital event (Menswear & Womenswear)

2.30pm-2.44pm - On|Off Presents... digital event (Menswear & Womenswear)

3pm - BFC x Elle Collective Fashion the Future: Fashion now, and building a better future

4.30pm-6.30pm - On|Off Presents... presentation (Menswear & Womenswear)

5pm - Morocco Kingdom of Light presents Maison Sara Chraïbi and Maison ARTC catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

7pm - Burberry catwalk (Menswear & Womenswear)

Evening Event - Aadnevik Catwalk

Evening Event - Jasmine Fashion Silkroad Presentation

Evening Event - Royal Ascot Millinery Collective: A Decade of Artistry

Evening Event - The Samantha Siu AW25 Event

British education: structure, standards, secrets

The magic and premium quality of British education lies in its long-standing tradition of academic excellence, globally recognized degrees, and innovative teaching methods. British schools and universities focus on developing critical thinking, creativity, and independent learning. With access to world-class faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a diverse international community, students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for global careers. The prestige of a British education also opens doors to top career opportunities, making it a premium choice for those seeking the best in academic and personal development.

The education system in the UK is divided into four main parts: 

• primary education 
• S1 (5-7 y.o.)
• S2 (7-11)
  

• secondary education
• S3 (11-14)
• S4 (14-16)
  

• further education

• higher education

Children in the UK have to legally attend primary and secondary education which runs from about 5 years old until the student is 16 years old. The education system in the UK is also split into "key stages" which break down as follows: 

• Key Stage 1: 5 to 7 years old
  
• Key Stage 2: 7 to 11 years old
  
• Key Stage 3: 11 to 14 years old
  
• Key Stage 4: 14 to 16 years old

The World Needs Hundreds of Millions of AI Specialists: Challenges and Opportunities

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a technological trend—it is a reality that is actively transforming every aspect of our lives. From automating production and improving medical diagnostics to creating smart cities and revolutionizing the service industry, AI is permeating all sectors and changing them beyond recognition. However, to sustain this global shift and fully harness AI's potential, the world needs hundreds of millions of specialists equipped with the necessary skills to work with these new technologies.

Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines or software, as opposed to the intelligence of human beings or other animals, serving as a foundational technology across multiple industries.

Growing Demand for AI Specialists

Experts predict that by 2030, artificial intelligence will create millions of new jobs. However, the issue is that there is already a global shortage of professionals capable of designing, implementing, and maintaining AI systems. This shortage could become a limiting factor for global economic growth if no action is taken to address the workforce gap.