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August 10, 2023

eXp Realty Exceeds 1,000-Agent Milestone in South Africa

eXp Realty today announced it has exceeded 1,000 agents across South Africa, representing an over 74% increase from the 574 total agent count in July 2022

BELLINGHAM, Wash., Aug. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — eXp Realty^®, “the most agent-centric real estate brokerage on the planet” and the core subsidiary of eXp World Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPI), today announced it has exceeded 1,000 agents across South Africa, representing an over 74% increase from the 574 total agent count in July 2022.

“This is a proud moment for eXp Realty South Africa as we reach such a huge milestone,” said Michael Valdes, Chief Growth Officer, eXp Realty. “Our attractive and continuously evolving agent-centric value proposition continues to resonate with agents from around the world and we are so thrilled to be home to over 1,000 real estate professionals in South Africa!”

According to Andrew Thompson, Director and Country Leader of eXp Realty South Africa, eXp South Africa has had more transactions in the first six months of this year compared to last year. “eXp South Africa has realized a cash-flow positive, debt-free and profitable operation in its first 15 months since receiving its license via the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority back in December 2020,” said Thompson.

“Since its inception, eXp has remained committed to putting agents first to equip them with the knowledge and tools necessary to reach their full potential. I am so proud to be able to lead such an incredible group of agents through this expansion and beyond,” he added.

eXp South Africa is proudly committed to serving the community, having recently donated R350,000 to Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman of Gift of the Givers to support local and international communities.

About eXp World Holdings, Inc.

eXp World Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPI) is the holding company for eXp Realty®, Virbela and SUCCESS® Enterprises.

eXp Realty is the largest independent real estate company in the world with more than 88,000 agents in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, India, Mexico, Portugal, France, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Italy, Hong Kong, Colombia, Spain, Israel, Panama, Germany, Dominican Republic, Greece, New Zealand, Chile, Poland and Dubai and continues to scale internationally. As a publicly traded company, eXp World Holdings provides real estate professionals the unique opportunity to earn equity awards for production goals and contributions to overall company growth. eXp World Holdings and its businesses offer a full suite of brokerage and real estate tech solutions, including its innovative residential and commercial brokerage model, professional services, collaborative tools and personal development. The cloud-based brokerage is powered by Virbela, an immersive 3D platform that is deeply social and collaborative, enabling agents to be more connected and productive. SUCCESS® Enterprises, anchored by SUCCESS® magazine and its related media properties, was established in 1897 and is a leading personal and professional development brand and publication.

For more information, visit https://expworldholdings.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

The statements contained herein may include statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update them. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in forward-looking statements include changes in business or other market conditions; the difficulty of keeping expense growth at modest levels while increasing revenues; and other risks detailed from time to time in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to the most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Media Relations Contact:

eXp World Holdings, Inc.

mediarelations@expworldholdings.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Denise Garcia

investors@expworldholdings.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0f5cf167-2910-43fd-8a41-dfc00358fa16

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8892150

August 10, 2023

Duck Creek Technologies Expands to the Indian Market, Offering Its Global Core Technology Platform to India-Based Insurance Carriers

The company’s Indian subsidiary signs its first full-suite customer partnership in the region with HDFC ERGO

Mumbai, Aug. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duck Creek Technologies India LLP, a subsidiary of Duck Creek Technologies, today announced a historical milestone with its expansion into the Indian general insurance market. Duck Creek Technologies India LLP now offers India-based insurers the ease, convenience, and power of modern cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS), delivered as a full suite of capabilities or as stand-alone solutions. With this expansion, Duck Creek reinforces its market commitment by establishing its data center in India, supported by nearly 1,000 local employees.

In partnership with its first core systems full-suite India-based insurance customer, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited (“HDFC ERGO”), Duck Creek will deploy its intuitive, user-friendly, and powerful solutions to empower HDFC ERGO to take new products to market faster and significantly improve their customers’ experience throughout the policy lifecycle and across the insurer’s entire portfolio. Duck Creek’s products and solutions will holistically bring a competitive advantage to HDFC ERGO across its entire system, portfolio and operations.

Speaking about the partnership, Sriram Naganathan, President and Chief Technology Officer, HDFC ERGO General Insurance, said, “As a leading insurer of the country, at HDFC ERGO, it has been our priority in adopting innovative technologies to address the evolving demands of our customers and offer them an enhanced customer experience. Being a digital insurer of scale, our partnership with Duck Creek Technologies India LLP is a crucial step towards unlocking the full potential of HDFC ERGO’s wide insurance solutions and enabling us to offer efficient delivery and more convenience for our customers. Duck Creek’s SaaS solution will empower our advanced AI/ML models, providing essential digital capabilities to meet the critical needs of our customers and partners.”

Rohit Bedi, Chief Revenue Officer, Duck Creek Technologies, stated, “Our commitment to HDFC ERGO aligns with their outstanding vision to make insurance easier, more affordable, and more dependable for all the people in India. We are extremely proud to be a partner to HDFC ERGO, India’s leading insurance brand, in their journey to transform general insurance services in the region.” Bedi added, “This is a significant milestone in Duck Creek’s continued growth as a leading SaaS choice for insurers worldwide. Duck Creek’s partnership with HDFC ERGO is another proof point that our global technology solutions are geared towards enabling a more modern and efficient insurance enterprise.”

Drawing on its experience supporting the world’s largest insurers and reinsurers, Duck Creek will offer its suite of SaaS-based core insurance delivery solutions, including policy, claims, billing, rating and reinsurance, to help Indian general insurers innovate and modernize their products and services.

“Duck Creek is truly excited to enter the Indian insurance market with our global solutions. We want to empower insurance companies in India with hyper-personalized insurance solutions that help customers buy or service insurance from any device and anytime. Customers from all parts of India can feel secure knowing they are covered and can raise claims anytime,” said Shaji Sethu, Managing Director APAC, Duck Creek Technologies.

The Indian insurance market was valued at $127 billion in 2021 ($30 billion, represented in the non-life sector). It is anticipated to grow to over $200 billion by 2027, which presents an exciting opportunity for Duck Creek.

About HDFC ERGO

HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited was promoted by erstwhile Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (HDFC), India’s premier Housing Finance Institution and ERGO International AG, the primary insurance entity of Munich Re Group. Consequent to the implementation of the Scheme of Amalgamation of HDFC with and into HDFC Bank Limited (Bank), one of India’s leading private sector banks, the Company has become a subsidiary of the Bank. HDFC ERGO is the second largest non-life insurance company in the Private Sector as on 31^st March 2023 based on gross premium garnered. A digital-first company, transforming into an AI-first company, HDFC ERGO is a leader in implementing technology to offer customers the best-in-class service experience. The company has created a stream of innovative & new products as well as services using technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Natural Processing Language (NLP), and Robotics. HDFC ERGO offers a range of general insurance products and has a completely digital sales process with ~94% of retail policies issued digitally. HDFC ERGO’s technology platform has empowered the customers to avail 69% of the services digitally on a 24×7 basis with ~19% of the customer requests serviced by Artificial Intelligence-based tools. In FY23, the company has issued 1.22 crore policies and has settled ~50 lakhs claims. The Company has an active data base of 1.5+ crore customers. HDFC ERGO is present in 496 districts of the country through their 215 branches, 10,000+ employees and 1.8 lakhs agents and channel partners.

HDFC ERGO offers a complete range of General Insurance products including Health, Motor, Home, Agriculture, Travel, Credit, Cyber and Personal Accident in the retail space along with Property, Marine, Engineering, Marine Cargo, Group Health and Liability Insurance in the corporate space. Be it unique insurance products, integrated customer service models, top-in-class claim processes or a host of technologically innovative solutions, HDFC ERGO has been able to delight its customers at every touch-point and milestone to ensure consumers are serviced in real-time.

Please log on to www.hdfcergo.com or stay connected on the following social media handles to get more information on HDFC ERGO and the products and services offered by the company.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hdfcergo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hdfcergogic

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hdfcergo

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/hdfcergo

About Duck Creek Technologies

Duck Creek Technologies is the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance industry. We are the platform upon which modern insurance systems are built, enabling the industry to capitalize on the power of the cloud to run agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations. Authenticity, purpose, and transparency are core to Duck Creek, and we believe insurance should be there for individuals and businesses when, where, and how they need it most. Our market-leading solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Visit www.duckcreek.com to learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information – LinkedIn and Twitter.

Carley Bunch
Duck Creek Technologies
+1201-962-6091
carley.bunch@duckcreek.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8890991

August 10, 2023

Looser and Miller happy with world champs performance

International cyclists Vera Looser and Alex Miller have expressed their satisfaction with their results at the maiden edition of the International Cycling Union (UCI) Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships are being held from 03 to 13 August 2023, with all the major cycling disciplines such as road cycling, BMX, mountain biking, track cycling and Para disciplines staged alongside the able-bodied competition.

Eight cyclists are representing Namibia in the mountain and road cycling events at the championships.

Looser, who has won several accolades for Namibia, had an impressive ride in the women’s mountain bike marathon cross-country, where she finished in seventh place.

Meanwhile Miller, who has also won bronze in the 2022 Commonwealth Games cross-country event, finished in 30th place over 108 kilometres in muddy, rainy conditions.

In an interview with Nampa on Tuesday, Looser said she prepared well for this marathon, but could only manage seventh place on the day.

“I wanted to do well for Namibia. I wanted to put my country on the map and was hoping for a much better finish than seventh position, but it did not happen. I am still happy with my achievements because there is room for improvement,” she said.

The well-travelled cyclist added that she is currently back home where she is training, and has several international competitions planned for this year.

Meanwhile, Miller told this agency on Wednesday that finishing 30th at the World Championships is an achievement he is happy with.

“The conditions were not as much as in Namibia, but I felt smooth on the bike and handled the race well. To finish 30th in the world is not too bad as it’s my first marathon at the world champs,” he said, adding that competing in the world championships in cross-country allowed him to see what he can improve on.

Miller said getting good results is something that takes a lot of hard work and a long time to achieve.

“I finished third in Africa which is positive, since the highest-ranked African cyclist at the world championships, Alan Hatherly from South Africa, placed 20th, and he is also the victor of the Cape Epic. His teammate Matt Beers secured the 22nd position. These results show how tough the competition is,” Miller stated.

Namibian cyclists competing at the UCI World Championships are Looser, Monique du Plessis, Eden Spangenberg, and Melissa Hinz, while their male counterparts are Miller, Daniel Hahn, Hugo Hahn, and Kevin Lowe.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

August 10, 2023

Mothers Urged To Breastfeed For At Least 6 Months

Health authorities in Lugari Sub County have appealed to mothers to exclusively breastfeed their newborns for six months to guarantee their healthy growth and development.

The Sub County Medical Officer of Health, Winnie Keya and the Sub County Nutritionist, Oscar Juma, made the appeal during a sensitization forum for Mbagara, a mother-to-mother support group at Sipande Dispensary in Mautuma ward.

Keya said it is important for mothers to breastfeed their children for the recommended time frame and then feed them nutritiously for the first 1000 days to guard them against malnutrition and ensure they are physically and mentally healthy.

She said, ‘The first 1000 days are critical to a child’s growth. We are encouraging mothers to breastfeed their children. This will ensure the children get the necessary nutrients for growth and protection against diseases.’

Keya disclosed that the number of mothers breastfeeding their children continuously for six months in Lugari stands at 60 percent, which is still low and might be costly in future if action is not taken.

‘The figure is still low. That is why we have mother-to-mother support groups where the mothers meet, share challenges and experiences with breastfeeding and encourage each other to breastfeed and feed their children appropriately.

Juma, who echoed Keya’s sentiments, said the breastfeeding sensitization activities they undertake in health facilities are not adequate, hence the formation of mother-to-mother support groups to cascade the trainings to the grass-roots level.

‘Under the support groups, we also have the baby-friendly community initiative, whose main aim is to ensure mothers breastfeed continuously for six months without introducing any other food to their children.

‘The initiative also focuses on ensuring the children are properly fed for six months after they are weaned off the mother’s milk.

‘We have also brought on board pregnant women. We don’t want to wait until they give birth in order to educate them on the importance of breastfeeding.’ He stated that their focus is to attain the 100 percent breastfeeding mark by next year.

Miriam Mika who is a member of the support group and a mother of twins, discouraged fellow mothers from rushing to wean their children before the six months elapsed.

Mika disclosed that she breastfed her infants for six months before introducing them to other foodstuffs, courtesy of knowledge she acquired from the group.

‘I breastfed my boys for six months continuously and that is why they are healthy and not prone to diseases,’ She stated.

Source: Kenya News Agency

August 10, 2023

Residents Advised To Guard Their Personal Data

Leaders from Elgeyo Marakwet have called on residents to jealously guard their privacy, saying the responsibility of protecting one’s data starts with the individual.

Led by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Grace Cheserek, the leaders regretted that Kenyans and especially the youth carelessly share their personal data on social media without giving a thought to how the information may be used against them.

Speaking during a sensitization seminar on data protection in an Iten hotel, the leaders said while the government is doing all it can to protect one’s data through setting up institutions like the Office of Data Protection Commission (ODPC), once information is released, it becomes difficult to control how it could be used.

Principal Data Protection officer in charge of Advocacy and Collaboration at ODPC, Abdullahi Ali, advised Kenyans to beware when opening links sent to their smart phones and also allowing apps downloaded from the internet to access information on their phones.

He called on Kenyans to report to the Commission any calls or organisations they suspect may be misusing their data so that they could be investigated.

Nicholas Kipkoech, also from the Commission, said any organisation, both private and public that processes data, citing schools, health facilities and churches, among others, must register with the Commission so that they can be regulated.

Saying that Kenyans are asked for their personal data regularly, which is normal, Kipkoech said they have a right to have the same information expunged after they are through.

‘We are normally asked to provide our personal data that is our names, IDs, and phone numbers, when entering some buildings due to security reasons. We have a right to request to have our personal data expunged once we leave the building,’ he said.

The Deputy Governor said going forward, any company doing business with the county must register with the ODPC since they would be using data from the county and therefore need to safeguard the same according to the law.

The County Commissioner, John Korir, said while collection of data is as old as mankind, technology has made it dangerous to share the same due to the possibility of it being misused.

Source: Kenya News Agency

August 10, 2023

Government, IGAD Collaborate On Transboundary Pest Management

The Ministers, Heads of Delegations and representatives of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states have embarked on the path to discuss and share collective understanding of the region’s state of risk transfer mechanisms and transboundary pest management and affirm shared commitment to promote proactive risk management.

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Cabinet Secretary (CS), Mithika Linturi, lauded the initiative by IGAD through its climate prediction and application centre (ICPAC) and the support provided by the United States of America in the role of risk transfer and microinsurance mechanisms in building the resilience of societies against various risks.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Agriculture Principal Secretary at the State Department for Crop Development in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Josephat Muhunyu, the CS said, ‘There are many risks like climate-related disasters and disease outbreaks that transcend national boundaries and there is a need to explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration in order to effectively address shared challenges.’

Linturi expressed his concerns over the region’s increased vulnerability to climate change and observed intensification of extreme climate events, including droughts and floods and their impact on food security and livelihoods.

He further recognised the crucial role of technology and data to enhance efficiency of risk transfer and microinsurance corporations, which will recognise the need for awareness campaigns and educational programmes to promote the benefits of risk transfer and microinsurance organisms.

‘I urge Member states through the IGAD secretariat to be proactive in sharing information and best practises to coordinate and build the necessary capacities in combating the locust menace to predict, monitor and control the spread of new swarms,’ Linturi said.

In addition, the CS declared joint commitment to develop a comprehensive road map that prioritises the strengthening of the region’s food systems and enhancing resilience to the multi-dimensional risks that impact food security across the region to promote their wellbeing and sustainable development, which will lead to peace.

‘I commit to working with Desert Locust Control Organisation of Eastern Africa (DLCO_EA) and Food and Agricultural Organisations (FAO) to collaborate and synergize their activities in combating desert locust and other transboundary pests and provide technical support to member state to enhance early warning systems,’ he noted.

The IGAD Executive Secretary, Dr Workneh Gebeyeh, said that the recent assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) show that climate change is a threat to all future development efforts in Africa due to high vulnerability of local communities and their low capacity to address the impacts of climate variability and change.

‘Food insecurities caused by extreme weather events, transboundary pest infestations, violent conflict and microeconomic challenges in the IGAD region have reached unprecedented and alarming level,’ he said.

Gebeyeh emphasised the need to come together as a unified force to address vulnerability more effectively, promote sustainable development and build resilience among pastoralists and subsistence farmers.

‘The integration of risk transfer and microinsurance services into community-based approaches is vital for promoting social cohesion and mutual support, which will improve access to education and health care for the vulnerable population within our region,’ he added.

He noted that to maximise the impact, they should address challenges such as limited awareness, financial literacy and regulatory barriers through United efforts so as to ensure implementation and long-term success.

Gebeyeh emphasised that implanting integrated pest management (IPM) practises across the region will reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and promote sustainable pest control since pest control regulations will facilitate smooth movement of Agricultural commodities, thus increasing trade opportunities and ultimately enhancing food security.

Source: Kenya News Agency