
Ukraine's Zelenskyy names new prime minister for first time since Russia's war began
Ukrainian lawmakers announced on social media Thursday that parliament had voted by a comfortable majority in favor of Yuliia Svyrydenko becoming the country's new prime minister.
Svyrydenko, 39, last month negotiated a major U.S.–Ukraine minerals and investment framework with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Zelenskyy said earlier this week that he proposed that Svyrydenko, who previously served as economy minister and one of Ukraine's deputy prime ministers since November 2021, lead the government as he initiated "a transformation of the executive branch in Ukraine." He shared a photo of them together and said they discussed "concrete measures to boost Ukraine's economic potential, expand support programs for Ukrainians, and scale up our domestic weapons production."
It's the most significant Ukrainian government restructuring since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, 2022, and is viewed by opposition lawmakers as a way for Zelenskyy to consolidate power. Ukraine has been under martial law since the day after the invasion.
"They will be told by the president's office what they should really do," Yaroslav Zheleznyak, of the Holos party, told Reuters, arguing the new government would be indebted to Zelenskyy, who has significant wartime powers under the constitution.
Svyrydenko will replace outgoing Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the longest-serving head of government in Ukraine's history. He held the position for more than five years after being appointed on March 4, 2020.
Shmyhal, who met with U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellog this week after President Donald Trump approved the sale of more Patriot systems, will take on a new role as Ukraine's defense minister, according to the parliament's website.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, meanwhile, congratulated Svyrydenko and Shmyhal on their new roles.
"We stand fully behind you as you fight for Ukraine's survival and work for your country's recovery and EU future," she wrote to Svyrydenko. For Shmyhal, she said, "Best wishes for your key new role as Defence Minister."
The defense ministry commands one of the largest budgets and carries critical importance because of the war. Shmyhal will replace Rustem Umerov, who, although he sought to push reforms, saw his tenure marked by internal turbulence and persistent dysfunction in Ukraine's defense procurement system. Despite his active role on the international stage, critics said the ministry remained plagued by mismanagement.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy posted a photo from his meeting with Svyrydenko and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
"We are preparing the initial steps of the renewed Government," Zelenskyy wrote, identifying the key priorities over the next six months as "increasing domestic weapons production in Ukraine, fully contracting the required volumes of all types of drones for Ukraine's Defense Forces, carrying out substantial deregulation and unlocking our country's internal economic potential, and ensuring full implementation of social support programs for our people."
"We defined the results that can be achieved within the first half-year of the new Government's work," Zelenskyy added.
Svyrydenko has frequently represented Ukraine in high-level talks with Western partners, focusing on defense cooperation, economic recovery and reconstruction.
Lawmakers and fellow officials describe her as a diligent executive with a reputation for loyalty to the presidential office, according to the Associated Press.
Of the 450-seat parliament, 262 lawmakers voted in favor of Svyrydenko becoming prime minister, Reuters reported, citing posts from a handful of lawmakers, including Yaroslav Zheleznyak, who posted a photo of the electronic voting table. The table showed 22 lawmakers voted against Svyrydenko and 26 abstained. The Ukrainian parliament does not broadcast sessions during wartime, according to Reuters.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NatWest To Overhaul Digital Banking With AWS, Accenture
NatWest Group (NYSE:NWG) on Wednesday unveiled a five-year strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Accenture Plc (NYSE:ACN) to overhaul its digital infrastructure and elevate customer experiences through cloud computing, AI, and advanced data analytics. The initiative targets NatWest's 20 million customers, promising smarter, more responsive services driven by enhanced data capabilities and automation. Employees will also benefit from access to modern AI tools designed to simplify internal processes and improve customer interactions. Paul Thwaite, CEO of NatWest, said the collaboration supports the bank's ambition to evolve into a more agile and data-led organization. Thwaite noted that this effort will help the bank deliver tailored solutions more efficiently, with customer expectations rapidly Sweet, Chair and CEO of Accenture, described the project as a reinvention of NatWest's approach to banking, using data to create seamless and personalized financial journeys. She emphasized the role of AI in enhancing productivity and generating value. Matt Garman, CEO of AWS, highlighted the platform's ability to provide the agility and reliability NatWest needs to deepen customer relationships while remaining secure and scalable. He pointed to the bank's AI-enabled systems as a model for innovation in the financial sector. Key components of the plan include consolidating multiple data sources into one AI-powered platform, simplifying customer onboarding through digital tools, and enhancing fraud prevention and regulatory reporting. The integration aims to streamline operations and support faster decision-making. The announcement coincides with Accenture's efforts to broaden its AI footprint in Southeast Asia, including a recent acquisition in Malaysia that strengthens its data consulting services. Related ETFs: Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSE:VGT), Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (NASDAQ:AIQ). Price Action: At last check Wednesday, NWG shares were trading higher by 0.22% to $13.62 premarket. ACN closed 1.60% higher at $286.96 on Tuesday. Read Next:Photo via Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? (AMZN): Free Stock Analysis Report ACCENTURE (ACN): Free Stock Analysis Report This article NatWest To Overhaul Digital Banking With AWS, Accenture originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Waldencast Acquires Novaestiq Corp. and U.S. Rights to Leading Injectable Hyaluronic Acid Gel Line, Saypha®, Under the Obagi Medical Brand
Acquisition strengthens Obagi Medical's product portfolio with proven, scientifically backed, injectable portfolio New products position Obagi Medical at the forefront of health, beauty and aesthetics convergence LONDON, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Waldencast plc (NASDAQ: WALD) ('Waldencast'), a global multi-brand beauty and wellness platform, today announced that it has acquired Novaestiq Corp. (Novaestiq), a growth-oriented aesthetic and medical dermatological innovations company, as well as the U.S. rights to the Saypha® line of hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable gels. The strategic acquisition expands Obagi Medical's offerings beyond U.S. medical-grade skincare, a market projected to be $2.2 billion by 2029, into the growing U.S. dermal filler market, projected to reach $2 billion in market size by 2029, effectively doubling its addressable market.1 The move marks a pivotal step in positioning Obagi Medical as an industry leader in integrated skincare and aesthetic solutions. 'We are excited to further diversify Obagi Medical's portfolio of medical-grade skincare with consumer centric, in-office injectable procedures through the introduction of the Obagi Medical Saypha® ChIQ™ and MagIQ™ lines of injectable HA gels,' said Michel Brousset, Co-Founder and CEO of Waldencast. 'Adding proven products into our portfolio increases our addressable market and allows us to deliver solutions for professionals and patients seeking both skincare and aesthetic treatments, all under the trusted Obagi Medical brand.' Obagi Medical's philosophy advocates for a holistic, science-driven approach where potent skincare and professional procedures work in tandem to achieve and maintain optimal skin health and a youthful appearance. These injectable products will play a pivotal role in the evolution of Obagi Medical into an end-to-end, synergistic solution that integrates medical-grade skincare with aesthetic treatments to deliver enhanced outcomes, prolonged results, and greater patient satisfaction. Beyond the two current offerings, the Novaestiq transaction provides access to a future pipeline of novel injectables in North America. Saypha®,2 currently undergoing U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, is recognized globally as a proven, safe and efficacious HA injectable with high levels of patient satisfaction. The new Obagi Medical injectable portfolio is supported by an industry-leading clinical program that reflects the brand's commitment to science-backed innovation. Core pivotal studies are more than twice the size of typical nasolabial fold (NLF) and midface trials and include the highest representation of Fitzpatrick Skin Types I, V, and VI – underscoring Obagi Medical's mission to provide effective solutions for all skin types and tones. Saypha® is distinguished by its proprietary technology delivering advanced HA treatments through a stable 3D matrix designed to provide natural-looking results with optimally balanced gel characteristics. This technology powers a portfolio of clinically proven products that lead in multiple performance categories including high HA content at injection, ideal gel distribution, and consistent injection force and swelling behavior. Saypha®, a product of Croma-Pharma GmbH, is developed and manufactured in Austria and marketed in over 80 countries, leveraging 40 years of expertise in HA-based treatments with more than 110 million syringes produced. This global reach and deep market insight allow for the delivery of trusted, personalized care to patients and professionals worldwide. 'We believe that great results start with great skincare and are perfected with great after care,' said Dr. Suzan Obagi, Chief Medical Director at Obagi Medical. 'By combining Obagi Medical skincare with injectable procedures under the guidance of a qualified professional, patients can achieve more significant, longer-lasting, and natural-looking results. This acquisition also allows our professionals to offer patients more personalized, higher quality and safer products that their customers are looking for.' Obagi Medical's vision is to become the #1 Dermatological Mega Brand uniquely serving all the needs of physicians, patients and consumers globally. It is already the fastest-growing U.S. professional-skincare brand among the top ten in its category.3 This momentum is powered by a three-pronged strategy: anchoring products in dermatological science, introducing breakthrough innovations, and expanding its global reach. Brousset added, 'We are thrilled to introduce this new offering that will strengthen Obagi Medical's market position, drive innovation, and create new growth opportunities in our fast-evolving industry. We see an accelerating global convergence of health, beauty, and aesthetics – an intersection where Obagi Medical is uniquely positioned to lead. We also plan to leverage this acquisition to expand Obagi Medical's footprint.' Transaction DetailsUnder the terms of the definitive agreement relating to the transaction, Waldencast has agreed to acquire Novaestiq in exchange for (1) certain amount of cash payable at closing, (2) certain additional ongoing royalties based on net sales of Saypha® products, and (3) the contingent issuance of Waldencast class A shares (equal to approximately 7% of Waldencast's fully diluted class A shares), based on the receipt of FDA approval relating to the Saypha® products (triggering the issuance of 3,273,000 Waldencast class A shares) and the achievement of cumulative net revenue thresholds of (a) $100 million (triggering the issuance of an additional 3,273,000 Waldencast class A shares) and (b) $200 million (triggering the further issuance of 3,273,000 Waldencast class A shares), respectively, reflecting meaningful long-term commercial targets, with (a) and (b) being earnable until June 20, 2031. The details of the transaction will be summarized in more detail in a Form 6-K that Waldencast will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') following this press release. About WaldencastFounded by Michel Brousset and Hind Sebti, Waldencast's ambition is to build a global best-in-class beauty and wellness operating platform by developing, acquiring, accelerating, and scaling conscious, high-growth purpose-driven brands. Waldencast's vision is fundamentally underpinned by its brand-led business model that ensures proximity to its customers, business agility, and market responsiveness, while maintaining each brand's distinct DNA. The first step in realizing its vision was the business combination with Obagi Medical and Milk Makeup. As part of the Waldencast platform, its brands will benefit from the operational scale of a multi-brand platform; the expertise in managing global beauty brands at scale; a balanced portfolio to mitigate category fluctuations; asset light efficiency; and the market responsiveness and speed of entrepreneurial indie brands. For more information please visit: . About Obagi MedicalObagi Medical is an industry-leading, advanced skincare line rooted in research and skin biology, with a legacy of 35+ years of experience. Initially known for its leadership in the treatment of hyperpigmentation with the Obagi Nu-Derm® System, Obagi Medical products are designed to address a variety of skin concerns, including premature aging, photodamage, skin discoloration, acne, and sun damage. As the fastest-growing professional skincare brand in the U.S. in 2024,3 Obagi Medical empowers individuals to achieve healthy, beautiful skin. More information about Obagi is available on the brand's website, 1In preparing for this transaction, Waldencast engaged management consulting services from a reputed global consulting firm. 2Saypha® products are not approved medical devices, and each product has a premarket approval (PMA) application under review by the FDA. 3Among the Top 10 Professional Skin Care Brands in the U.S., according to Kline's 2024 Global Professional Skin Care Series (China, Europe and the U.S.). AdvisorsHolland & Knight LLP is serving as Waldencast's legal advisor, with support from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Experium Capital Advisers is serving as Waldencast's financial advisor. Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the intended benefits of the transaction with Novaestiq, the ability to obtain FDA approval for Saypha®, the contingent issuance of Waldencast class A shares, and the growth strategies of Waldencast, including Obagi Medical and Novaestiq. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words 'estimates,' 'projects,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'forecasts,' 'plans,' 'intends,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'may,' 'will,' 'would,' 'should,' 'future,' 'propose,' 'target,' 'goal,' 'objective,' 'outlook' and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the control of Waldencast, Obagi Medical and Novaestiq that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that may affect actual results or outcomes include, but are not limited to: (i) the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the transaction; (ii) the inability to obtain FDA approval for one or both of the Saypha® products; (iii) the general impact of geopolitical events, including the impact of current wars, conflicts and other hostilities; (iv) the overall economic and market conditions, sales forecasts and other information about Waldencast's possible or assumed future results of operations or our performance; (v) changes in general economic conditions; (vi) the impact of any international trade or foreign exchange restrictions, the imposition of new or increased tariffs, foreign currency exchange fluctuations; (vii) that the price of Waldencast's securities may be volatile due to a variety of factors, including Waldencast's, Obagi Medical's or Novaestiq's inability to implement their business plans; and (viii) the ability to implement Waldencast's strategic initiatives and continue to innovate Obagi Medical's existing products and anticipate and respond to market trends and changes in consumer preferences. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the 'Risk Factors' section of Waldencast's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 20, 2025, or in other documents that may be filed or furnished by Waldencast from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Waldencast assumes no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Contacts InvestorsICRinvestors@ MediaICRwaldencast@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Buyout firms circle escrow arm of listed cybersecurity group NCC
The private equity group which owns compliance and energy services group Sureserve is among the bidders circling a division of NCC Group, the London-listed cybersecurity company. Sky News understands that Cap10 has expressed an interest in buying Escode, which specialises in software escrow and verification services. City sources said that Platinum Equity, a US-based buyout firm, was also among Escode's suitors. Interest from earlier bidders, including Bridgepoint and Montagu Private Equity, is said to have waned. A deal could cost any buyer in the region of £300m. Last week, Sky News revealed that NCC Group had kicked off a strategic review of its main cybersecurity operations which could also lead to a sale. The Escode process is being handled by bankers at Lazard, with the cybersecurity division's review overseen by Rothschild. NCC has confirmed both sets of discussions to investors, although their outcome remains unclear. The group employs about 2,200 people across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. Shares in NCC Group were trading on Wednesday morning at about 146.8p, giving the company a market valuation of roughly £467m. Cap10 and NCC declined to comment, while Platinum could not be reached for comment.