From Canada to the Caribbean, CBC GEM and an expanding international broadcast network bring the tournament to fans across continents.

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With opening night just two days away, NCL GT20 is preparing to launch Caribbean Edition 2026 at Arnos Vale Stadium on Friday, October 23. Toronto Kings and Vancouver Guardians meet in the opening match at 7 p.m. St. Vincent and the Grenadines local time (Atlantic Standard Time, UTC−4), beginning an 18-match tournament that concludes with the championship final on November 2.

The league has announced an expanded international broadcast and streaming network, a lineup of commercial sponsors and its official fixtures, bringing Canadian-rooted cricket to the Caribbean stage while showcasing experienced players and emerging talent.

WHERE TO WATCH: INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST PARTNERS

Canada: CBC GEM (digital streaming); ATNIndia: Unite8 Sports and ZEE5Afghanistan: Solh Sports (linear and digital)Bangladesh: T Sports (linear); MyCo (digital)Pakistan: Geo Sports (linear); MyCo (digital)Middle East and North Africa (MENA): MyCoCaribbean: Rush Live and Louder (linear and digital)Latin America: Live and Louder (digital)South and Sub-Saharan Africa: Africa XP / Sports Connect (linear and digital; non-exclusive)Australia, New Zealand, Far East and Southeast Asia: Sports Connect (digital; non-exclusive)

Broadcast access and platform availability vary by territory. Fans should check local listings and official NCL GT20 channels for viewing information.

CANADIAN ROOTS. GLOBAL AMBITIONS.

The Caribbean Edition represents the next chapter in NCL GT20’s international growth, connecting Canada’s expanding cricket community with the Caribbean’s longstanding sporting heritage. The league is positioning itself as a bridge between established cricket nations and emerging markets.

“Our focus is on building partnerships that take cricket beyond borders and create meaningful opportunities for the sport’s future,” said Gaurav Dewani, Head of Partnerships, NCL GT20. “Our Canadian roots remain central to our identity, and bringing the tournament to the Caribbean allows us to connect two important cricket communities while expanding our reach across international markets. These broadcast relationships are about more than distribution. They’re about making cricket more accessible, creating greater visibility for emerging talent and building a platform that can continue to grow for years to come.”

OFFICIAL MATCH FIXTURES | OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 2

All matches at Arnos Vale Stadium, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. All kickoff times are in St. Vincent and the Grenadines local time (Atlantic Standard Time, AST, UTC−4). October 27 is a rest day.

OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT SPONSORS

Dafabet | Coca-Cola | Powerade | Grace Good Move

A GLOBAL STAGE FOR CRICKET’S NEXT GENERATION

At the heart of NCL GT20’s mission is a commitment to grassroots cricket development and creating opportunities for promising young players to compete alongside internationally recognized stars. The Caribbean Edition aims to provide competitive exposure, mentorship and visibility for emerging Canadian and Caribbean cricketers.

SPOTLIGHT ON ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

Hosting the tournament in St. Vincent and the Grenadines creates an opportunity to showcase the destination’s cricket heritage, culture and natural beauty to international audiences, while generating activity for hospitality, tourism, transportation and event services.

ABOUT NCL GT20

NCL GT20 is an international T20 cricket league with Canadian roots, dedicated to delivering world-class cricket entertainment, developing emerging talent and expanding the sport’s global reach. Through strategic partnerships, international competition and grassroots development, the league creates opportunities for the next generation of cricket stars.

MEDIA CONTACT NCL GT20 Global Communications | media@nclcricket.com | https://nclgt20.com

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SOURCE National Cricket League USA

In the latest edition of its CIO Compass, Sopra Steria Next broadens the debate on AI sovereignty: it is not only about where data and models reside, but also about who controls the decisions they produce.

PARIS, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Large organisations have spent a decade governing their data. They have given little or no thought to governing decision-making. Yet generative and agentic AI no longer simply makes recommendations: it prioritises, triggers and executes. In the latest edition of its CIO Compass, ‘AI is nothing without control and purpose’, Sopra Steria Next, the consulting arm of Sopra Steria, offers CIOs a nine-dimension framework for governing not only data, but also automated decisions and their consequences.

Key figures* from the report:

Fewer than 20% of AI-influenced or AI-executed decisions have an identified business owner, explicit rules and formal accountability.Fewer than 25% of AI-driven decisions in production can be traced and replayed end-to-end.An automated decision failure can affect 10 to 100 times more operations, customers or revenues than a traditional IT incident.

What is AI sovereignty?

It is not just a matter of knowing where data is hosted and where models run. It also covers the ability to demonstrate, at any moment, who controls, explains and arbitrates automated decisions. Vendor dependency has shifted from infrastructure to cognition, and that dependency is harder to reverse. With this publication, Sopra Steria Next calls on CIOs to make explicit a five-layer ‘sovereignty stack’, spanning data, models, platforms, APIs and decisions, with one question per layer: who operates it? Who can replace it? Who is accountable?

‘The new question we now have to ask concerns decisions that AI has already taken without anyone being accountable for them,’ says Valérie Thiblet, Partner Data & AI, Sopra Steria Next. ‘A system that cannot be stopped in real time is not governed: it is merely observed. And what cannot be governed cannot be industrialised.’

The document identifies several breaking points for IT departments: the rise of Shadow AI, which erodes traceability and cost control before leaders are even aware of it; model governance, still treated as an optional layer; and the AI Act, where the main risk will not be deliberate non-compliance but accidental non-compliance through lack of preparation.

Click here to read more.

Media Contact: Aurélien Flaugnatti, aurelien.flaugnatti@soprasteria.com 

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SOURCE Sopra Steria Next

— Public and Private Investment Advances Railway’s Goal of a 100% Clean-Energy Locomotive Fleet by 2030 —

NEW YORK, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — New York & Atlantic Railway (NYA), an Anacostia Rail Holdings Company (ARH), has been awarded a $6.5 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program Grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), according to Marlon Taylor, president of NYA. The railway operates under a franchise agreement with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), connecting Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau and Suffolk counties to North America’s freight rail network.

This funding will be used to upgrade four locomotives within NYA’s fleet with Tier 4 locomotive technology, the strictest U.S. EPA standard for non‑road diesel engines, which will be provided by Cummins, a leader in global power solutions. The goal of the upgrade is to reduce emissions and improve operational performance.

The $6.5 million federal CRISI grant is part of a $10.9 million public and private investment to upgrade four New York & Atlantic Railway locomotives with cleaner technology. The project includes $2 million in funding from New York State and a $2.4 million investment by NYA, which has led efforts for years to secure public funding for these technology upgrades. Since 1997, NYA has invested $60 million, directly and through public grants, to improve the reliability and efficiency of freight rail operations.

The funding supports NYA and LIRR’s efforts to advance a five-year plan to convert NYA’s locomotive fleet to 100% Tier 4 compliance by 2030 and aligns with New York State’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.

The Tier 4 standard primarily targets a significant reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and particulate matter (PM) emissions while improving engine efficiency and fuel economy.  Advanced particulate filters and selective catalytic reduction reduce PM and NOₓ levels by up to 90% on Tier 4 locomotives compared to earlier-tier engines.

NYA has already invested more than $1.6 million in green locomotive upgrades, including idle-minimization technology that reduces unnecessary engine idling, emissions, and noise in rail yards. The new Tier 4 engines will build on these improvements, providing a higher standard of emissions control and operational efficiency, with additional environmental and public health benefits for surrounding communities.

“It is reasonable to expect that NYA will be a leader in having the most technologically advanced fleet of locomotives in service anywhere in the country,” said Robert Wullschleger, Chief Mechanical Officer, NYA. “In fact, the extent of the modifications provided by the recent funding, coupled with our previous investment in upgrades, may justify setting new standards for cleaner emission locomotives.”

“We are grateful to our federal, state, and local officials who worked together in a bipartisan manner to help secure funding for this important environmental initiative,” said Mr. Taylor. “Upgrading NYA’s locomotives represents a major step toward our goal of a 100% green fleet by 2030 and our commitment to improving air quality and supporting healthier conditions for the neighborhoods along the rail corridor.”

“Investing in Long Island’s transportation infrastructure is critical to supporting our local economy,” said Congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. “I was proud to support this funding, which will help modernize aging equipment and ensure our freight rail system continues to serve Long Island businesses and communities.”

“As the Assembly Member for the district that includes Fresh Pond Yard, the New York & Atlantic Railway’s main rail hub, I am so proud of what we have accomplished here together, ” said New York State Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi. “Since 2013, I have worked with my partners at NYA to secure funding for this transformative environmental and economic project — including in this state budget, when our team successfully unlocked a portion of those funds as the state match for the federal CRISI grant. With this, NYA will move significantly closer to fully replacing their freight locomotive fleet with engines at the Tier 4 emissions standard, the cleanest and greenest standard in the country. This shows public-private partnerships can work — at all levels of government. I am thrilled for the residents of Queens, and I congratulate NYA for what we have accomplished together.”

“I’ve been fighting to bring federal dollars back to Suffolk County, and it’s reassuring to see that advocacy delivers real results for Long Island. Congratulations to New York & Atlantic Railway on securing a federal grant to modernize upgrade its locomotives. These upgrades will help local businesses move goods more efficiently, support regional jobs and improve rail safety. This is an important investment in Long Island’s infrastructure and economic future,” said Congressman Nick LaLota (NY-01). 

“I want to congratulate the New York & Atlantic Railway on this Federal CRISI Award, which will play an important role in their ‘100% Green by 2030’ initiative, ensuring that their entire fleet of locomotives will have the most advanced emission reduction technology available.  This is an important environmental win for my constituents and all those who live along the tracks upon which they operate their freight, which is why I partnered with them in this year’s budget to secure a State match to this grant.  This demonstrates the positive outcome when all levels of government work in tandem with the private sector to deliver the results our constituents need and ask for,” said State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.

“Soaring diesel fuel costs have made it more important than ever that we do everything we can to boost freight rail, which remains an efficient and cost-effective way to transport goods and reduce congestion on our highways,” stated New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “The New York State Department of Transportation is proud to have supported — through our Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program — the New York & Atlantic Railway’s effort to upgrade its locomotives to Tier 4 emission standards, which will protect our environment while also boosting our economy.”

“Transport by rail is the most sustainable way to move goods on and off Long Island while reducing emissions, traffic congestion and roadway wear by diverting over 120,000 truck trips annually throughout the region,” said Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine. “The CRISI grant, along with funding from New York State and New York & Atlantic’s private investment, shows the power of bipartisan public-private partnerships in addressing some of our most pressing issues, including climate change, improving air quality and opening new opportunities for economic growth.”

“Queens residents will breathe a lot easier thanks to the emissions controls that will become a reality with this $6.5 million grant,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. “It is imperative that we continue to do all we can to limit harmful pollution from all sources, including our railroad network. I thank the Federal Railroad Administration for awarding this grant, and I commend the New York & Atlantic Railway for its diligence in working toward reducing emissions and improving the efficiency of its operations.”

“New York is fighting climate change by transitioning from polluting fossil fuels to clean energy, and green transportation is a critical piece of this transition,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “We are happy to congratulate the New York & Atlantic Railway on receiving this $6.5 million Federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant to minimize carbon emissions, reduce fossil fuel dependency, improve our local air quality, and lessen the overall environmental impacts of transporting goods. This is another important step towards protecting public health and our local environment while making Long Island more sustainable for the future.  We look forward to NYA having the greenest fleet in the country soon!”   

“A healthy and efficient rail system is critical to reducing air pollution caused by diesel truck traffic,” said Julie Tighe, President, New York League of Conservation Voters. “NYLCV commends the New York & Atlantic Railway for investing more than $1 million in green locomotive upgrades, and we congratulate them on receiving a $6.5 million CRISI Program grant to help build on their commitment to a more efficient, more sustainable future for our rails.”

Mr. Taylor recognized several federal, state and local officials who were instrumental in securing the total funding for what will be the cleanest fleet of locomotives in the country. Among them are:  FRA Administrator David Fink and his team for the CRISI award; Congressmen Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota for their strong support in securing this federal grant; State Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. and NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez for securing the state match; Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine for his support of the grant; New York City Council Member Phil Wong for his advocacy for this sustainable initiative, and to Governor Hochul, MTA Chair Janno Lieber and the MTA Board, and LIRR President Rob Free for partnership through their November 2025 procurement to advance the vital second portion of the 100% Green by 2030 initiative.

About New York & Atlantic Railway
New York & Atlantic Railway began operation in May 1997 due to the privatized concession to operate freight trains on the lines owned by Long Island Rail Road. The railway serves a diverse customer base and shares track with the densest passenger system in the United States. New York & Atlantic Railway connects with major Class I and regional freight railroads across North America. For more information about New York & Atlantic Railway, visit https://www.anacostia.com/railroads/nya.

Contact: Don Miller
West End Strategies, Ltd.
516-330-1647
don@westendstrategiespr.com

Bill Corbett
Corbett Public Relations
516-428-9327
wjcorbett@corbettpr.com

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SOURCE New York & Atlantic Railway