13, Mar 2026
Nestlé India Expands NESPRESSO’s Footprint with New Boutique at Ambience Mall, Gurugram
Bengaluru, Mar 13: Nestlé continues to strengthen NESPRESSO’S presence in India with the launch of a new boutique at Ambience Mall, Gurugram. Marking a significant milestone in the brand’s India expansion journey, the immersion store builds on the successful debut of NESPRESSO’S store at Saket’s Select City Walk, which opened in 2025. With this, the brand aims to bring India’s coffee connoisseurs closer to Nespresso’s signature coffee culture, premium machines and innovative blends.
With rising demand for premium, in-home coffee experiences and an increasingly discerning consumer base, Gurugram represents a key market for the brand’s next phase of growth. The expansion into Ambience Mall enhances accessibility, allowing a wider audience to experience NESPRESSO’S distinctive craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability-led approach firsthand.
Mr. Manish Tiwary, Chairman and Managing Director, Nestlé India, said:
“Indian consumers have long appreciated premium coffee experiences, and that affinity continues to grow. When we launched our flagship store in Saket, we recognised the potential of this evolving relationship. With NESPRESSO’s presence in Gurugram now, we are one step closer to extending that experience further, whether it is through an everyday household ritual or part of a larger cultural narrative.”
Designed as an immersive experiential touchpoint, the new boutique offers consumers the opportunity to discover and engage with NESPRESSO’s range of iconic coffee machines and exclusive blends across its Original and Professional systems. The space invites coffee enthusiasts to explore flavour profiles, receive personalised consultations, and experience curated tastings further elevating at-home and workplace coffee rituals. M/s Thakral Innovations Pvt. Ltd is official distribution partner of NESPRESSO and Nestlé India, covering the full range of Nespresso coffee products across all channels.
Coffee lovers are invited to visit and discover the world of NESPRESSO and embark on a journey of exceptional taste by visiting the new Nespresso boutique at Ambience Mall Gurugram and can also visit the online boutique.
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- By Neel Achary
13, Mar 2026
Calling June introduces Athiya Shetty as the Face of its Islaa Campaign
With Label Calling June presenting their spring summer 2026 collection Islaa, a collection inspired by the slow, sun-kissed charm of southern Spain the brand and to bring the spirit of the collection the brand introduces actor Athiya Shetty as the face of the Islaa Campaign as she perfectly embodies the collection’s effortless elegance and quiet femininity.
Athiya is seen bringing the spirit of Islaa to life in Aster Co-ord, Celia Maxi dress and Alex Co-ord set from the collection. The looks feature breezy silhouettes, delicate floral prints and intricate embroidery, crafted in soft summer fabrics that evoke the relaxed romance of Mediterranean escapes. Each ensemble reflects the collection’s effortless femininity and easy elegance, perfectly capturing the mood of slow, sun-drenched days.
Rooted in the romance of Mediterranean escapes, Islaa draws inspiration from sun-drenched beaches, floral balconies, mosaic-tiled walls and the hidden corners of quaint Spanish streets. Translating these visual cues into delicate prints and embroidery, the collection reflects a sense of wanderlust and ease that defines slow summer living.
13, Mar 2026
World-first trial shows crop waste can replace coal in steelmaking
New Delhi, Mar 13: In a major breakthrough for industrial decarbonisation, researchers have successfully demonstrated a world-first approach to reduce emissions in steel production by partially replacing coal with agricultural waste. The trial marks an important step toward producing low-carbon or “green” steel while utilising India’s abundant crop residue.
The study was led by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, in collaboration with researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). The project validated the use of biomass derived from rice husk pellets to generate biomass-based syngas for iron ore reduction at commercial scale.
The trial was conducted in partnership with RESCONS Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and at the facilities of Jindal Steel in Odisha. Researchers successfully blended 5% and 10% rice husk pellets into the plant’s gasifiers and achieved sustained syngas production without affecting operational performance.
Steel production is among the world’s most carbon-intensive industries, responsible for nearly 10% of global carbon emissions. India’s rapidly expanding steel sector presents both an opportunity and a challenge. The country’s steel capacity is expected to grow to 300 million tonnes by 2030 and 500 million tonnes by 2047, but current production methods rely heavily on coal, resulting in emissions of about 2.55 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of steel—higher than the global average.
The initiative aligns with India’s broader climate ambitions, as the government aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. As part of this strategy, the Ministry of Steel is promoting several decarbonisation pathways, including electric arc furnaces, increased scrap usage, carbon capture, green hydrogen, and biomass-based energy solutions.
The research was supported through the India–Australia Green Steel Research Partnership, funded by the Australian Government. By converting agricultural residues such as rice husks into fuel for steelmaking, the initiative also addresses the challenge of managing crop waste while supporting sustainable industrial practices.
According to the research team, if biomass-based processes are widely adopted across India’s steel industry, emissions from the sector could potentially be reduced by up to 50%, equivalent to nearly 357 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.
To accelerate adoption, the research collaboration has also developed an interactive digital map showing India’s steelmaking facilities alongside regional biomass availability. This tool enables industry stakeholders to evaluate supply chains and identify opportunities for integrating biomass-based energy solutions into steel production.
The successful trial highlights the potential of combining scientific innovation, international collaboration, and sustainable resource utilisation to transform one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries, bringing the global steel sector closer to achieving large-scale green steel production.
13, Mar 2026
Australian Fashion Council and R.M.Williams Deliver First-Ever Industry-Backed Plan to Scale Australia’s Fashion & Textile Manufacturing Sector
The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) and R.M.Williams have launched the National Manufacturing Strategy for Australian Fashion and Textiles 2026 – 2036 at Parliament House in Canberra – the first coordinated national roadmap to rebuild targeted domestic manufacturing capability across Australia’s textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) sector.
The National Manufacturing Strategy for Australian Fashion and Textiles 2026 – 2036 launch at Parliament House in Canberra
As the official print and projection partner of the Australian Fashion Council, Epson are fully supporting this national manufacturing strategy, its strategic outcomes and strategic pillars, as detailed below, that that firmly promote Australia’s onshore manufacturing capabilities.
(l-r) Epson Australia Managing Director Craig Heckenberg, Samantha Delgos, General Manager, Australian Fashion Council, Marianne Perkovic, Executive Chair, Australian Fashion Council and Epson Australia Corporate Marketing Manager, Priscilla Dickason
The ten-year Strategy is the result of almost a year of industry consultation led by the AFC and R.M.Williams, including 14 national consultations with manufacturers, brands, educators and policymakers across the country. More than 300 stakeholders contributed to the process, generating over 1,000 proposed initiatives and nearly 900 votes on strategic priorities to shape the sector’s long-term manufacturing future.
The Strategy was unveiled at a breakfast symposium and AFC member showcase in Mural Hall attended by over 90 industry and parliamentary guests, including members of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Fashion & Textiles, and its Co-Chairs, Matt Burnell MP, Dai Le MP and Zoe McKenzie MP.
The Strategy comes at a critical time for the industry. With 97 per cent of Australia’s clothing and textile products manufactured offshore, the sector remains vulnerable to ongoing global supply disruptions and trade volatility. Rather than compete against high-volume offshore manufacturing markets, the Strategy is focussed on closing structural gaps and accelerating advanced manufacturing to scale the sector’s comparative advantage, aiming to position Australia to compete globally in premium, technology-enabled and traceable production, built on the country’s natural fibre strengths.
Table 1: Strategy Outcomes & Australia’s Comparative Advantage
Outcome
Comparative Advantage
1. Capture more value from Australian fibre
Australia is one of the world’s leading producers of premium natural fibres, including wool and cotton. Expanding domestic processing and spinning enables more of that value to be captured onshore.
2. Strengthen sovereign manufacturing capability
Australia has capability in specialised textile products where quality, compliance and supply security matter, including defence, healthcare and emergency service applications.
3. Build a globally competitive premium sector
Australia’s strength lies in high-quality, traceable and sustainably produced textiles and apparel, supported by natural fibres, strong design capability and advanced manufacturing.
The Strategy outlines three strategic pillars underpinned by industry and government coordination as the levers required to deliver these outcomes by 2036.
Table 2: Strategy Pillars & Coordination
Strategic Pillar
Focus
1. Activate and drive demand
Demand is the critical enabler. Strategic public procurement (federal and state) can anchor it, while Australian-made identification and coordinated national promotion can extend it through to consumer sectors.
2. Secure the workforce of the future
Create new skilled pathways for advanced manufacturing roles, enable skills transfer (median age of manufacturer is 57), protect women’s contribution and participation (58% of TCF manufacturers are women) and support the diverse communities in the sector (41% are from CALD communities).
3. Accelerate advanced manufacturing
Co-invest in modern machinery, new technologies and advanced manufacturing, rebuild early-stage fibre processing and yarn spinning – the sector’s ‘missing middle’ – and enable innovation in circular manufacturing and fibre-to-fibre recycling.
AN ECONOMIC CASE FOR ACTION
Independent modelling by RMIT University that full implementation of the Strategy’s coordinated policy platform will grow TCF manufacturing value added from $2.6 billion to $2.9 billion by 2030/31, delivering a cumulative $1.4 billion economic dividend over five years. The Strategy is also projected to create more than 1,000 new skilled jobs and $864 million in additional wages, with approximately half of those jobs are projected to be filled by women.
At present, TCF manufacturing already employs more than 27,000 Australians – 58 per cent women (compared to 28 per cent in other manufacturing industries) and 41 per cent from culturally and linguistically diverse communities – and pays over $1.4 billion in wages annually. Strengthening this base will increase the competitiveness of Australia’s $28 billion fashion and textile industry, which employs nearly 500,000 Australians across the broader value chain.
SPOKESPERSON QUOTES
“This Strategy sets out a clear roadmap for rebuilding a globally competitive Australian fashion and textile manufacturing sector. Australia already has exceptional design talent, advanced manufacturing capability and globally recognised brands. With the right coordination across industry, skills and procurement policy, we have a real opportunity to strengthen sovereign capability, create skilled jobs and position Australia as a leader in premium manufacturing.”
Marianne Perkovic, Executive Chair, Australian Fashion Council
“Australia is the world’s largest exporter of greasy wool and a globally significant cotton producer. Yet we export raw fibre and import finished goods at multiples of the original value. Re-establishing fibre processing and spinning capability restores the missing link in our value chain. Building the next generation of capability to capture this value – capability that is advanced, technology-enabled and circular – will also require stronger demand signals. Strategic public procurement can help anchor that demand and support the growth of Australia’s domestic manufacturing capability.”
Samantha Delgos, General Manager, Australian Fashion Council
“R.M.Williams has manufactured in Adelaide for more than 90 years. We employ skilled craftspeople, invest in apprentices and continue to modernise production while competing globally. What’s needed now is to activate a flywheel: demand enables investment in skills, skills enable advanced manufacturing, and technology allows Australian manufacturers to scale while maintaining quality.”
Tara Moses, Chief Operating Officer, R.M.Williams
“This Strategy is a serious economic blueprint for communities, supporting skilled jobs, strengthening regional manufacturing, and creating clearer pathways for women into trades and long-term manufacturing careers. It presents a coordinated, cross-portfolio agenda that connects procurement, skills and industry capability. As Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends group, I’m committed to supporting the sector to turn this plan into long-term coordinated action.”
Matt Burnell MP, Co-Chair, Parliamentary Friends of Australian Fashion & Textiles
“Epson is firmly committed to our partnership with the Australian Fashion Council and our joint goals around improving local manufacturing, furthering innovation and developing digital transformation. To that end Epson are also working closely with the AFC on a feasibility study for a ‘smart factory’ and shared manufacturing hubs similar to those we have already developed and implemented with The Social Outfit and Citizen Wolf where Epson’s direct-to-fabric digital printing technologies play a part in the overall production workflow. This National Manufacturing Strategy represents an important step forward for Australia’s fashion and textile industry. Epson is proud to support this initiative and help accelerate the adoption of advanced digital technologies that can drive greater sustainability, unlock new opportunities, and create the jobs of the future.”
Craig Heckenberg, Managing Director, Epson Australia
The Strategy’s launch at Parliament House marked an important moment for Australia’s fashion and textile industry. To showcase the capability already operating in Australia, AFC members from across the manufacturing sector presented a cross-section of domestic production. The showcase featured R.M.Williams, Bianca Spender, Bond-Eye Australia, Clothing the Gaps, ABMT, Sylvia P, Waverley Mills, Silver Fleece and Stewart & Heaton.
The National Manufacturing Strategy for Australian Fashion and Textiles 2026 – 2036 launch at Parliament House in Canberra
The AFC and R.M.Williams also produced a short film titled ‘Made Here, Worn Everywhere’ profiling AFC members including Australian Defence Apparel, The Social Outfit, Maara Collective, Citizen Wolf, Waverley Mills and Silver Fleece highlighting the diversity of manufacturing already taking place across Australia.
WHAT’S NEXT: FOUNDATION TO 2029
The Strategy will be led by the Australian Fashion Council as the peak body for the sector. Progress will be measured through a two-stage assessment framework.
- Implementation review (to 2029): This phase will assess progress in establishing the core architecture underpinning the Strategy, including procurement reform, national capability mapping, skills recognition pilots, shared manufacturing infrastructure and governance arrangements to coordinate delivery.
- Strategic outcomes review (to 2036): This phase will assess progress against the Strategy’s long-term ambition – a competitive, technology-enabled and domestically anchored manufacturing sector with a sustainable workforce pipeline and globally recognised market position.
The National Manufacturing Strategy for Australian Fashion & Textiles is supported by the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Fashion & Textiles group, co-chaired by Matt Burnell MP, Dai Le MP and Zoe McKenzie MP, with more than 60 bipartisan members across Parliament.
13, Mar 2026
Godrej Consumer Products Named World’s leading Sustainable FMCG Company on Dow Jones Best in Class Index 2025
Bangalore, Mar 13: Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL), a leading emerging markets FMCG company has been leading globally in the FMCG category on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Sustainability Index 2025, marking the first time the company has secured the top position on the globally respected benchmark.
GCPL secured a score of 89 out of 100 in the Personal Products category in S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), which evaluated more than 3500 companies globally, placing it among the world’s leading consumer goods companies on environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. The recognition reflects the company’s consistent progress across key sustainability priorities. Within the FMCG sector, the DJSI evaluates a wide range of criteria — from emission reductions to raw material sourcing to product disposal, packaging management, water management, sustainable sourcing, labour practices and many more.
In addition to the top ranking, S&P Global has recognised GCPL for completing 10 years of active participation in the Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). This milestone reflects a decade-long commitment to transparency, continuous improvement and leadership in embedding sustainability into core business strategy.
Commenting on the achievement, Sudhir Sitapati, Managing Director & CEO, Godrej Consumer Products Limited, said,
“Being ranked #1 globally on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index is a defining milestone for GCPL and a moment of immense pride for all of us. Sustainability is deeply embedded in our purpose of bringing the goodness of health and beauty to consumers in emerging markets. Our focus on creating value for people and the planet alongside profit shapes how we build our brands, design our products and run our operations. This recognition reflects the progress we have made in areas such as greener products, water positivity, climate action and energy efficiency, and strengthens our commitment to keep raising the bar for ourselves and for the FMCG industry globally.”
Pakzan Dastoor, Head – Sustainability & CSR, Godrej Industries Group, added,
“This recognition is built on a decade of consistency, discipline, and purpose. Ten years of participation in the CSA reflects our commitment to measurable action, transparency, and continuous improvement. Guided by the Godrej Group’s Good & Green philosophy, we have embedded priorities such as emission reduction, sustainable sourcing, and water and waste management, including ecosystem issues like plastics into our business strategy and everyday operations. Being ranked the world’s leading company on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index 2025 reinforces our belief that sustainability is not a parallel agenda, but integral to how we operate and grow. This recognition encourages us to keep raising the bar and driving meaningful progress for people and the planet.”
Acknowledging the milestone, Robert Dornau Senior Director, Head of Corporate Solutions & Engagements S&P Global Sustainable, said
“Reaching 10 years of participation in the S&P Global CSA is a testament to your company’s long-standing commitment to meaningful sustainability action. We are proud to have accompanied you on this journey and look forward to supporting your continued progress in the years ahead.”
The Dow Jones Best-in-Class Sustainability Index, based on the S&P Global CSA, is one of the world’s most respected benchmarks for evaluating corporate sustainability performance across economic, environmental and social dimensions.
13, Mar 2026
BIScience Launches TV Intelligence Suite, Expanding AdClarity Into Cross-Media Ad Coverage
With linear TV data now live alongside digital and CTV, the born-digital platform tracks more than $174 billion in U.S. digital ad spend and $51 billion in U.S. linear TV spend from a single cross-media view
New York, NY — March 13 — BIScience, the company behind AdClarity, the world’s leading AI-driven ad intelligence platform, today announced the launch of its TV Intelligence Suite, bringing U.S. linear TV coverage into AdClarity’s existing digital, social, video, and CTV capabilities. The platform now delivers cross-media intelligence using one consistent methodology and consistent performance metrics.
Most legacy ad intelligence providers were built around linear TV and have gradually expanded into digital. AdClarity took the opposite path: born digital, the platform built best-in-class digital coverage before adding television, addressing a need that has intensified since digital ad spend surpassed linear TV around 2019.
As advertising budgets continue migrating from linear television to digital channels, organizations that lack cross-media visibility cannot determine whether they are overspending or underspending relative to the market. For senior marketing leaders, media planners, analysts, and operations teams, this gap creates significant operational overhead and an inability to set strategy with confidence. AdClarity covers more than 250 leading categories and industries in the U.S., including top spending sectors such as CPG, financial services, news and media, technology, and others.
According to AdClarity data, total tracked U.S. digital advertising spend reached $174.4 billion in 2025, up 5.5 percent year over year, with CTV the fastest-growing channel at $38 billion (up 8.1 percent). Adding approximately $51 billion in U.S. linear television spend gives customers visibility into how budgets shift across the full media mix.
AdClarity’s Linear TV coverage spans more than 100 U.S. networks and local affiliates, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and leading cable, news, and sports channels, with breakdowns by Designated Market Area (DMA), daypart, program, and creative execution. By pairing DMA-specific digital insights with local TV data, the platform delivers what BIScience describes as the most granular picture of U.S. local advertising available.
The platform is powered by AdClarity’s proprietary data infrastructure, spanning 52 global markets and 30 million opt-in panelists. Data is updated daily, with point-in-time data available from 2018 onward.
AdClarity offers capabilities no other solution provides, including real CTR analysis for each ad and campaign and Ad Objective attribution that classifies ads as performance or brand awareness. The platform also provides DMA-level spend analysis and AI-driven insights with a chatbot for automated competitive and media mix analysis.
“Until now, understanding where advertising budgets are moving between digital and television required stitching together disconnected tools with incompatible metrics,” said Dorit Kaplan, VP Product and Strategy at BIScience. “With the TV Intelligence Suite, AdClarity delivers what the market has been waiting for: a single cross-media view, built on consistent methodology, that enables teams to see the complete picture and make decisions with confidence. Our digital-first foundation gives us a distinct advantage as we bring every major advertising channel into one platform.”
AdClarity serves more than 2,000 customers worldwide, including 27% of the Fortune 500. The platform is used by global brands such as Adidas, Amazon, Booking.com, Disney, Shell, Sony, and Wix, and is trusted by partners including Nielsen, Kantar, WPP, and MediaRadar.
The TV Intelligence Suite is available now for enterprise customers in the United States. CTV coverage is currently available in the U.S., Germany, Canada, the U.K., and Australia.
13, Mar 2026
Lurie Autism Institute Announces Dr. Huda Zoghbi as the Inaugural Recipient of the Nancy Lurie Marks Prize for Autism Research
Mar 13 – The Lurie Autism Institute, a joint initiative of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Penn Medicine created to drive discovery, develop new treatments, and improve the lives of individuals and families affected by autism, is proud to announce that geneticist Huda Y. Zoghbi, MD, has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Nancy Lurie Marks Prize for Autism Research, the Institute’s highest honor recognizing transformative contributions to autism research.
Zoghbi is a Distinguished Service Professor in the Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics, Pediatrics, Neuroscience, and Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine, and Director of Texas Children’s Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI). She is also an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. A pioneering pediatric neurologist and physician–scientist, Zoghbi has fundamentally reshaped understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of neurological disease – including autism spectrum disorder – by integrating human genetics, animal models, and systems-level neuroscience to define how disruptions in gene regulation, neuronal maturation, and circuit function drive disease.
“When thinking of an appropriate inaugural recipient of the Nancy Lurie Marks Prize for Autism Research, we wanted to consider the pre-eminent minds whose long history of incredible work in autism research continues to have a lasting effect,” said prize committee chair Frances E. Jensen, MD, Chair of the Department of Neurology and Professor of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and co-director of the Penn Translational Neuroscience Center. “Dr. Zoghbi’s record speaks for itself, and we couldn’t think of a more deserving inaugural recipient who exemplifies the pioneering work in autism research that the Lurie Autism Institute wants to make possible.”
The Prize Selection Committee recognized Zoghbi for her landmark discovery that mutations in the MECP2 gene cause Rett syndrome, an autism-related neurodevelopmental disorder. This breakthrough transformed Rett syndrome from an enigmatic clinical condition into a foundational model for understanding autism genetics and neurobiology. Her work established core principles that have guided modern autism research; these principles now underpin contemporary large-scale genomic studies of autism and have shaped how investigators conceptualize risk, penetrance, and phenotypic variability across neurodevelopmental disorders.
“I am deeply honored to receive the inaugural Nancy Lurie Marks Prize for Autism Research,” said Zoghbi. “Nancy’s dedication to autism research and to the families she so passionately championed has left an indelible mark on our field. The Lurie Autism Institute’s continued commitment to advancing impactful autism research benefits us all. I share this recognition with the patients and families who inspire our work every day, and with the remarkable trainees and collaborators whose insight, creativity, and dedication have advanced our understanding of how genetic disruptions alter brain function.” She continued, “I hope that continued progress in this field will lead to better insights and treatments, ultimately improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families. This honor serves as a powerful reminder of the promise rigorous science holds for truly transforming lives.”
By demonstrating that de novo mutations underlie Rett syndrome, Dr. Zoghbi helped catalyze study designs that enrich for de novo variation. These studies served as an important basis for projects such as the Simons Simplex Collection, a core project and resource of the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) that establishes a permanent repository of genetic samples of families of children with autism. This framework was then later adopted by the Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) and the Autism Sequencing Consortium. This paradigm led to the discovery of dozens of de novo variants and hundreds of autism-related genes, many of which encode chromatin regulators, firmly establishing epigenetic and chromatin-mediated mechanisms as central pathways in autism.
“Dr. Zoghbi’s incredible discoveries of some key biological mechanisms underlying autism are important steps in the journey we’re on with the Lurie Autism Institute to provide patients with more answers,” said Daniel Rader, MD, Interim Director, Lurie Autism Institute and Chief of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Penn Medicine and CHOP. “Her central role in advancing our understanding of neurobiology and translating that basic science into clinical progress makes her an extremely deserving recipient of the inaugural Nancy Lurie Marks Prize for Autism Research.”
The Nancy Lurie Marks Prize for Autism Research honors the legacy of Nancy Lurie Marks, whose visionary philanthropy has played a pivotal role in advancing autism research and improving the lives of individuals with autism. The Prize includes a $100,000 award and recognizes a single individual whose work has made a profound and lasting impact on the field.
“The Lurie Autism Institute was established to usher in a new era of scientific discovery in autism, and the work of extraordinary talents like Dr. Zoghbi exemplifies the kind of breakthrough discoveries we hope to make possible,” said Jeffrey Lurie, Chairman and CEO of the Philadelphia Eagles and founder of the Eagles Autism Foundation.
Zoghbi will be formally honored at the 2026 Lurie Autism Institute Symposium, to be held on May 7, 2026, in Philadelphia, where she will deliver a featured lecture.
The Lurie Autism Institute, which reflects the combined strength of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, was made possible through the generosity of the Lurie Family Foundation and the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation. Launched in June, 2025, the Institute is dedicated to advancing autism science and care, while aiming to accelerate discovery, deepen understanding of autism’s complexities and improve outcomes for individuals and families.
12, Mar 2026
NIH Awards UH $11.8 Million to Study Early Language Development in Houston Toddlers
Study will follow thousands of young children during a critical window for language development
HOUSTON, March 12 – University of Houston researchers have secured an $11.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to conduct a first-of-its-kind study of early language development, tracking thousands of Houston toddlers during a critical period of early childhood.
Led by Elena Grigorenko, the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of Psychology, and research professor Jack Fletcher, the project will follow 3,600 children ages 18 to 24 months to better understand how language skills emerge during this early stage and why some children experience delays that can shape later development.
The NIH funding will support a new national Clinical Research Center on Developmental Language Disorders at UH, bringing together experts from psychology, education, health and measurement sciences to study one of the most fundamental questions in human development: how children learn language. This will be the 14th national research center established at UH.
How the Study Will Work
To recruit participants, the research team will partner with the pediatric clinic network at Texas Children’s Hospital, one of the largest in the region. Children will be screened for early language development, allowing researchers to identify those who show signs of delayed speech.
From that group, the team will follow a cohort of about 2,400 children — including both late talkers and children with typical language development — through early childhood to examine how language abilities evolve over time and how early delays may lead to later challenges.
“This will be the first national study to estimate how common late talking is using a large, representative sample of Houston toddlers,” Grigorenko said. “By following these children as they grow, we hope to better understand the developmental pathways that can lead to conditions such as developmental language disorder and autism.”
The Houston Community as a Partner in Discovery
Houston’s linguistic and cultural diversity makes it an ideal setting for this work. The study will include children from a wide range of backgrounds who speak English, Spanish or both, enabling researchers to examine how early communication develops across different home environments and socioeconomic contexts.
“This level of investment from the National Institutes of Health reflects the significance of this work to address a complex challenge affecting children, families and communities,” said Claudia Neuhauser, vice president for research at UH. “By bringing together experts from multiple disciplines and partnering with major health systems across the region, the project reflects our commitment to advancing discoveries that impact our community.”
This research center brings together investigators from multiple UH colleges and departments, along with partners at Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Center for Learning Disorders. The work also aligns closely with the mission of the Consortium for Translational and Precision Health — a partnership led by Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Houston to accelerate the translation of research into practical health solutions.
“By studying early language development in Houston toddlers, we’re building the knowledge needed to identify developmental challenges sooner and support children at the earliest possible stages,” Grigorenko said.
12, Mar 2026
Reebok Expands Football Roster with Signing of Elite European Defender Trevoh Chalobah
New York, NY and London, UK – March 12 – Reebok, the iconic and irreverent sports culture brand, today announced a partnership with professional footballer Trevoh Chalobah, further strengthening the brand’s commitment to the global game.
The signing builds on Reebok’s expanding presence in elite football following the recently announced partnership with Dušan Vlahović, as the brand continues to assemble a new generation of athletes ahead of its upcoming performance football launch.
“Reebok is a brand with a deep history in sport, and being part of its return to football is exciting,” said Trevoh Chalobah. “The vision for the next chapter of Reebok Football is ambitious, and I’m proud to represent the brand on the pitch at this moment.”
Known for his composure on the ball, tactical intelligence and defensive versatility, Chalobah has established himself as a reliable presence at the highest levels of European competition. On and off the pitch, his confident style and individuality reflect the disruptive, irreverent spirit that has long defined Reebok. His signing reflects Reebok’s strategy of partnering with athletes competing on the sport’s biggest stages as the brand strengthens its football platform.
Chalobah joins a growing roster of athletes representing Reebok across global sport as the brand continues to expand its performance offering across football, basketball, golf and training.
12, Mar 2026
With March 15 CA/Browser Forum Deadline Looming Total Economic Impact Study Quantifies Benefits of Automating Certificate Lifecycle Management
Organizations Reduced Certificate-Related Incident Costs by $2.4M and Cut Renewal Effort from 30 Minutes to Seconds with the AppViewX Platform
NEW YORK, March 12 — AppViewX, a leader in automated Certificate Lifecycle Management (CLM) and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) software, today released findings from a commissioned February 2026 Forrester Consulting Total Economic Impact™ (TEI) study quantifying the operational and financial impact of lifecycle automation as SSL/TLS validity periods begin shrinking March 15 under the CA/Browser Forum schedule.
The study, available here, found that a composite organization representative of interviewed customers using the AppViewX platform achieved:
- 302% return on investment (ROI)
- $3.9 million in total three-year, risk-adjusted benefits
- $2.4 million reduction in certificate-related incident costs (three-year, risk-adjusted present value)
- Less than six months payback
“There were 15 major outages the year before, which dropped to three the next year after implementing AppViewX. In fact, these three outages were caused by certificates that we had decided not to migrate to AppViewX,” said a Senior Vice President of Data Protection at a financial services organization interviewed for the study.
As certificate lifespans compress and renewal frequency increases, the study highlights the operational risk of manual processes and fragmented tooling. Forrester found that manual certificate renewals required approximately 30 minutes per certificate, while automated renewals through AppViewX reduced that effort to approximately 0.25 minutes.
“The March 15 milestone signals more than a compliance change, it marks the beginning of a structural workload shift,” said Stephen Tarleton, Chief Operations Officer at AppViewX. “As validity periods shrink, renewal frequency accelerates and fundamentally changes the operating model for certificate management. Without centralized automation, enterprises risk diverting skilled engineers from higher-value security initiatives just to prevent certificate expirations.”
Operational Impact of Shorter Validity Periods
Under the CA/Browser Forum’s phased reduction schedule, certificate lifespans will continue to shorten in stages, increasing renewal frequency across hybrid, cloud, and machine identity environments. The Forrester study found that enterprises adopting centralized lifecycle automation materially reduced both the frequency and cost of certificate-related incidents while scaling certificate management without proportional staffing increases.
Organizations that adopt modern certificate lifecycle management benefit from:
- Greater protection against certificate-related outages
- Faster mean time to resolution
- Reduced application deployment cycles
- Improved audit and regulatory compliance
To address this complexity, the AppViewX platform centralizes and automates certificate lifecycle management through:
- Automated certificate discovery and inventory
- Policy-driven renewal and re-enrollment workflows
- Centralized governance and compliance reporting
- API-driven integration with DevOps and infrastructure pipelines
See 47-Day Readiness at RSA Conference 2026
AppViewX will demonstrate how enterprises are preparing for accelerated certificate renewal cycles at RSA Conference 2026, North Expo Booth #4236. Attendees can see how centralized lifecycle automation reduces renewal effort, mitigates outage risk, and strengthens governance as validity periods shrink.
