Latest news with #HMG
Metro
3 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
I'm living in fear of repercussions after the Afghan data breach
The news stopped me in my tracks. 'Close to 7,000 Afghan nationals are being relocated to the UK because of a massive data breach by the British military,' the presenter said. They went on to explain that an email was leaked in 2022 with a spreadsheet containing the personal information of almost 19,000 Afghans who applied to come to the UK. I was shocked. As an Afghan national who worked with the British Government before fleeing to the UK in August 2021, this video was the first I was hearing of any leak – three years after it happened. My personal details – along with the names of my family still in Afghanistan – might be included in this data breach, which could put everyone I know in grave danger. And no one in the Government thought to warn me. I immediately felt sick to my stomach. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video I first started working with a British organisation in 2019, managing Her Majesty's Government (HMG) contracts. Our work made us targets for the Taliban, to the point where we regularly had to wear bulletproof vests, hard hats, and hide in safe rooms at the office. My job was so high risk that I couldn't even tell my family, or even my partner. Instead, they thought I worked in construction. In early 2021, news started spreading that western forces were going to pull out of Afghanistan – a move that would see the Taliban take over the country and put me in certain danger. Thankfully, by April, the UK Government introduced the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP), which offered an escape plan for people who had worked with the British Government to flee to the UK. I applied shortly after and was grateful to find out within a couple of months that both my wife and I had been approved. Telling my family – especially my widowed mother – that I was leaving the country was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Heartbreakingly, I couldn't tell them the real reason for their own safety, so they think I moved for a scholarship. My own wife only found out about my real job a day before we were due to escape the country – I sat her down and finally explained everything. She understood why I couldn't tell her the truth and was sad to be leaving our home, but thankful for a route out of an increasingly politically unstable situation. It was early August – around a week before Kabul fell to the Taliban – that we finally flew out. Getting on that chartered plane with just two suitcases full of clothes, I felt numb. It was all happening so fast – even the 16-hour flight to Birmingham was a total blur. The gravity of the situation didn't properly hit me until later that month when I saw videos of people desperately clinging to planes to escape and falling off to their deaths. It was all just so traumatising. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video My wife and I settled in the UK – and have since felt very blessed to have welcomed children – but we've regularly kept in contact with our families, especially in those early days. They're safe, but they still don't know the real reason why we left almost four years ago. If the Taliban found out what I used to do, my family could be hunted down and killed. That's why this recent leak is such a betrayal – and the Government's silence on it is so galling. I understand there was a superinjunction to stop the leak from being talked about, but they could've at least informed all the people affected. Defence Secretary John Healey told the Commons this week that it was a 'serious departmental error' and that he felt 'deeply concerned about the lack of transparency to parliament and the public'. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video But where is the transparency in not personally alerting Afghans in the UK? If 18,714 Afghans had their personal information leaked, each and every one of us should be notified. I'd argue that even the people who weren't affected by the leak should still be notified, if they were part of the ARAP scheme like me. Thankfully, around 4,500 Afghans have since been settled in the UK as a direct result of being in danger from the leak, with a further 600 invitations being offered. This is through an until-recently secret emergency scheme called the Afghanistan Response Route (ARR). But both this scheme and the ARAP one that I was on are now closed. Terrifyingly, a Taliban spokesperson claimed on Wednesday to the Telegraph that they have possession of the list and have been 'calling and visiting their family members to track them down'. If true, this is devastating. The danger for this leak is real for people still living in Afghanistan – and for the families of people still living there, like mine. As for me, I can't warn my family that they may be at risk from this leak because naivety would be best for them if they were questioned. So I feel so helpless. More Trending That's why I believe that the Government has a responsibility to find safe routes for all the people they inadvertently put in danger. In an ideal world, they would provide safe passage to both mine and my wife's families. All this time, I've thought that being so secretive about why I left could potentially mean that I could go back to my home country one day if I needed to – like for a family member's funeral. But the mere existence of this list and my potentially being on it means that could never happen. And losing that hope is devastating. As told to James Besanvalle Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: Voting age to be lowered to 16 by the next general election MORE: Here's how it could become harder for people-smugglers to reach the UK MORE: My boss asked me to polish table legs as he watched
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
HMG Partners with MediConCen to spearhead Medical Claims Digitalization in Hong Kong
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 14 July 2025 - HealthMutual Group (HMG), a pioneer in medical concierge and insurance management, and MediConCen Limited, an InsurTech innovator, today announced a strategic partnership to develop an advanced AI-driven claims solution tailored for the Hong Kong market. By combining MediConCen's expertise in AI, blockchain, and automation with HMG's solid experience in medical claims management, the collaboration aims to streamline claims processing, enhance efficiency, and establish a localized Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA) detection framework. Mr. KC Chan, Founder of HMG, said, 'with over 11 years of experience in medical concierge services, HMG has developed an in-depth understanding of claims management. Our proprietary OCR-based medical invoice platform aligns perfectly with the digital transformation of claims processing, while facilitating the set-up of a FWA framework to ensure robust risk management. Partnering with MediConCen, a leader in cutting-edge InsurTech, allows us to further our mission of supporting the sustainability of Hong Kong's medical insurance sector.' Mr. William Yeung, CEO and Co-Founder of MediConCen, said 'this collaboration merges MediConCen's AI-powered technological expertise with HMG's unparalleled domain knowledge in insurance and healthcare. Together, we are creating a solution that empowers claims assessors to make faster, and consistent decisions—setting a new gold standard for the industry.' The partnership underscores the importance of combining insurance practicality with technology to deliver digitalisation for insurance process. About HMG Established in 2014, HealthMutual Group has swiftly emerged as a premier leader in healthcare management across Hong Kong and the Greater China Region. Passionately dedicated to transforming healthcare management and its funding mechanism through provision of medical concierge and other essential value-added service, it benefits all stakeholders: the insured, insurance companies, and the medical sector, fostering their sustainable growth and development. About MedConCen MediConCen is a leading insurTech founded in 2018. Awarded in numerous local and international competitions, MediConCen is the first Hong Kong company utilizing blockchain and cutting-edge technology to automate insurance claim and evolve the insurance claim experience.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
HMG Partners with MediConCen to spearhead Medical Claims Digitalization in Hong Kong
Mr. KC Chan, Founder of HMG (right) and Mr. William Yeung, CEO and Co-Founder of MediConCe (left) are delighted with the strategic partnership which serves to foster the sustainability of Hong Kong's medical insurance sector. HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 14 July 2025 - HealthMutual Group (HMG), a pioneer in medical concierge and insurance management, and MediConCen Limited, an InsurTech innovator, today announced a strategic partnership to develop an advanced AI-driven claims solution tailored for the Hong Kong combining MediConCen's expertise in AI, blockchain, and automation with HMG's solid experience in medical claims management, the collaboration aims to streamline claims processing, enhance efficiency, and establish a localized Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA) detection KC Chan, Founder of HMG, said, "with over 11 years of experience in medical concierge services, HMG has developed an in-depth understanding of claims management. Our proprietary OCR-based medical invoice platform aligns perfectly with the digital transformation of claims processing, while facilitating the set-up of a FWA framework to ensure robust risk management. Partnering with MediConCen, a leader in cutting-edge InsurTech, allows us to further our mission of supporting the sustainability of Hong Kong's medical insurance sector."Mr. William Yeung, CEO and Co-Founder of MediConCen, said "this collaboration merges MediConCen's AI-powered technological expertise with HMG's unparalleled domain knowledge in insurance and healthcare. Together, we are creating a solution that empowers claims assessors to make faster, and consistent decisions—setting a new gold standard for the industry."The partnership underscores the importance of combining insurance practicality with technology to deliver digitalisation for insurance #HMG #MedConCen # # #MedicalClaims #Digitalization #AI #MedicalInsuranceSector #OCR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About HMG Established in 2014, HealthMutual Group has swiftly emerged as a premier leader in healthcare management across Hong Kong and the Greater China Region. Passionately dedicated to transforming healthcare management and its funding mechanism through provision of medical concierge and other essential value-added service, it benefits all stakeholders: the insured, insurance companies, and the medical sector, fostering their sustainable growth and development. About MedConCen MediConCen is a leading insurTech founded in 2018. Awarded in numerous local and international competitions, MediConCen is the first Hong Kong company utilizing blockchain and cutting-edge technology to automate insurance claim and evolve the insurance claim experience.
Newsweek
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Eco-Friendly Installation to Keep Kias Safe From Future Violent Storms
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A hailstorm roared through Western Georgia in March 2023, damaging over 13,000 vehicles that sat out in the elements at Kia Georgia, the car company's manufacturing plant, causing millions of dollars in damage. Today, Kia Georgia produces some of the brand's most popular models, including the Telluride, Sorento, Sportage EV9 and EV6 SUVs. It has the capacity to make 350,000 vehicles annually. Following the storm, Kia Georgia went looking for a creative way to keep future storms from causing so much damage. Enter VPS, a company that makes solar-integrated parking canopies. Not only would the installation protect vehicles from future hail damage, but it would also create solar energy, making Kia's production facility greener in the process. Kia has the goal of mitigating the company's carbon emissions by 97 percent by 2045, based on 2019 levels. A close up view of Vehicle Protection Structures (VPS) solar array covered structure at Kia Georgia. A close up view of Vehicle Protection Structures (VPS) solar array covered structure at Kia Georgia. VPS "VPS hail protection systems are already considered the industry standard for weather protection of large areas of risk, and the integration of solar electricity generation helps manufacturers meet sustainability targets, reduce utility charges, and qualify for available tax credits. Kia Georgia not only believes in building sustainable products but also incorporating sustainable solutions that protect and promote efficiency and quality," Wade White, executive vice president of VPS, told Newsweek. The project and its 17,000 solar panels have the ability to integrate over 10 megawatts of solar-generated energy into Kia Georgia's power system. That will account for up to 30 percent of the power the plant uses over the course of a year. VPS has fabricated the entire project and is about 40 percent done with its installation. The project, which covers much of the northwest side of the West Point, Georgia, manufacturing facility, is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025. Vehicle Protection Structures (VPS) solar array covered structure at Kia Georgia. Vehicle Protection Structures (VPS) solar array covered structure at Kia Georgia. VPS Kia Georgia isn't the only Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) manufacturing facility in the state. Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) opened in March, part of a $7.59 billion investment made in Bryan County, Georgia, by HMG. A joint venture 30-gigawatt-hour battery plant with LG Energy Solution (LGES) is located at the site. It joined the company's SK On battery plant in Commerce, Georgia, as a producer of batteries for HMG's electric vehicles. HMG's total investment in the state to date is $12.6 billion. HMGMA is the largest economic development project in the state of Georgia's history. Also in March, HMG announced that it would invest $21 billion in manufacturing vehicles in the U.S. Of that, $9 billion will be spent to increase the company's production capacity to 1.2 million vehicles annually across its three brands (Hyundai, Kia and Genesis). Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Kia Georgia will receive improved production facilities.
Spectator
11-06-2025
- Business
- Spectator
The Sizewell delusion
The Chancellor's promise of £14 billion for the Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk is hardly news. The project has been talked about for 15 years while the existing UK nuclear estate has gradually been shut down and the only other new station, Hinkley Point in Somerset, has stumbled to a decade-long delay and £28 billion of budget overruns. Quite some optimism – verging on Milibandian delusion – is required to embrace the idea that Sizewell will come quicker and cheaper because it will replicate Hinkley Point while avoiding its mistakes. And since Chinese money has been ruled out, it's still a mystery as to who else will pay for the project beside HMG and the French utility company EDF. Unarguably, we need a constant baseload of nuclear power to stop the lights going out in mid-century: commitment to Sizewell can't be all wrong, despite local objections. But what's intriguing about this week's news is that it coincides with the naming of Rolls-Royce as 'preferred bidder' to deliver the UK's first small modular reactors, in theory much easier to bring to fruition. If SMRs can really deliver nuclear power one town at a time by the mid-2030s, as planned, Hinkley Point and unfinished Sizewell will begin to look like dinosaurs. The simple truth is that both should have been done and dusted a generation ago. But nuclear decision-ducking has been a shame on successive governments for as long as most of us can remember. Defensive stocks My recent suggestion of a 'Rearmament Isa' that would incentivise savers to buy shares in UK manufacturers of military kit brought a positive response from one former defence minister but not from the current Chancellor who, let's face it, may not be among my most devoted readers. Nevertheless, I'm hoping the idea might feature in an Isa overhaul this autumn, because last week's £68 billion defence review wish-list of everything from ammo factories to autonomous weaponry was a reminder of how vital it is to sustain an innovative, well-capitalised, British-owned defence industry, rather than one that is picked off piece by piece by US and other foreign predators. And it's fair to say that the review's call for 'warfighting readiness' makes the sector a strong bet for investors anyway, with or without Isa tax benefits. Blue-chip defence stocks have already soared since the beginning of the year – BAE Systems up 68 per cent, Rolls-Royce 55 per cent – but may pause as the market discovers how much of the wish list the government actually commits to buying and to what extent UK firms are impeded (as President Emmanuel Macron of France has signalled) from supplying EU rearmament demand. In the meantime, smart stock-pickers will hunt for defence-related businesses that have yet to catch the upswing. Naturally on this theme I consult this column's veteran investor Robin Andrews, who suggests taking a look at 'engineering and electronics companies that are vital in the supply chain and whose customers are major defence companies and in some cases governments directly'. Here's his promising half-dozen: Melrose Industries in aerospace; Hunting in precision engineering; Filtronic, already a hot stock in telecom systems; and in various aspects of IT, Concurrent Technologies, EnSilica and the curiously named Raspberry Pi. As ever, we urge you to do your own research. City stampede Here we go again: three more tech companies abandoning London. Spectris, a listed precision instrument maker that descends from the Fairey seaplane company and might have featured in our roll call of defence-adjacent stocks above, is selling itself to the US private equity giant Advent for £3.7 billion. Alphawave, an Anglo-Canadian designer of 'high-speed connectivity solutions' that listed in London in 2021, has fallen to US microchip maker Qualcomm for £1.8 billion. Both deals are at huge premiums over the companies' last quoted share prices, reflecting the pattern of chronic undervaluation that has driven the decline of the London Stock Exchange and provoked a stampede of takeovers. Third to go this week is Wise, a money-transfer fintech founded in London by Estonian emigrés and now worth £11 billion, but moving its primary listing to New York. Time and again we're told City authorities, Treasury ministers and the Exchange itself are urgently pursuing reforms to make London's capital markets slicker and sexier; but so far, as the exodus accelerates, to no effect whatever. Top shopkeeper Last week, to some readers' irritation, I applauded a €100 million bonus for Michael O'Leary in his 31st year as the presiding genius of Ryanair. So if I'm in favour of high pay for high performance, logic might dictate that I should also favour the £7 million award to Stuart Machin for his third year's work as chief executive of Marks & Spencer. But I'm not so sure. The high street chain has certainly revived under Machin's leadership: profits are up, stores look fresher, the food offer outpaces rivals and the shares have risen 150 per cent since he took the helm in May 2022. And he's clearly not to blame for the cyber-attack that crippled M&S's website and cost the business £300 million. But nor is he a creator of the M&S brand: he's a hired hand (having previously worked for Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda and in Australia) whose efforts have been closely mentored by his powerful chairman, Archie Norman. In that case, is it really fair to pay him 140 times the average store manager's salary? Then again, I hear you mutter, what's fairness got to do with it if £7 million is the going rate for global boardroom talent? Maybe, but it's a big number for running a shop and it puts Machin in a merciless media spotlight. Having said which, I'll pop out to buy my M&S picnic lunch.
