Author: MAYORS & CITIES





Chinese balloon advanced, hard to shoot down: US expert
WASHINGTON — The first Chinese surveillance balloon that the Pentagon found flying over sensitive US ballistic missile sites may be guided by advanced artificial intelligence technology, a US expert said Friday. A second Chinese surveillance balloon was…


US climate subsidies unsettle Europe’s green industry plans
HEIDI, GERMANY — An empty field near Heide in a corner of Germany known more for its cabbage farming is the chosen site for a huge battery factory and potential pillar of the country’s future green economy.…



Activision to pay $35 mn to settle charges from US securities regulator
NEW YORK — Videogame giant Activision Blizzard has agreed to pay $35 million to settle charges from a US securities regulator over its disclosure policies on workplace harassment complaints, regulators said Friday. The Securities and Exchange Commission…


Olympic snowboarders sue coach, USOPC and ski federation over alleged abuse
LOS ANGELES — Olympic bronze medalist Rosey Fletcher is among three former US snowboarders suing their ex-coach, the US Ski & Snowboard federation, and the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee, alleging sexual abuse that they say the…


Merck Foundation and African First Ladies marking World Cancer Day 2023 through 110 scholarships of Oncology Fellowships in 25 countries
ACCRA, Ghana, February 4, 2023/APO Group/ — Like every year, Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com) marks World Cancer Day together with Africa First Ladies and Ministries of Health through building cancer care capacity and increasing the limited number of oncologists in…


A balloon clouds US view on Xi’s China
WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had planned a rare visit to Beijing to manage tensions but also to answer a question — was there substance behind a new, seemingly more conciliatory tone in Beijing?…


Biden’s climate plan strains ties with European allies
WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden’s landmark climate action plan has become a subject of tension between the United States and European Union, which fears it could hurt European industry. With French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire…


Democrats ready to battle for Biden as he mulls ‘four more years’
PHILADELPHIA — President Joe Biden was welcomed at a conference of his Democratic Party on Friday with chants of “four more years,” as the Philadelphia crowd voiced strong support for his yet-unannounced reelection bid. “Let me ask…


Musk found not liable in Tesla tweet trial
SAN FRANCISCO — Jurors on Friday cleared Elon Musk of liability for investors’ losses in a fraud trial over his 2018 tweets falsely claiming that he had funding in place to take Tesla private. The tweets sent the…


US proposes slashing salt, sugar in school meals
WASHINGTON — Cut the salt, cut the sugar, but you can keep the chocolate milk. The US Agriculture Department proposed new standards on Friday aimed at tackling obesity and providing millions of American children with more nutritious…


NY Governor Hochul Announces Details of $1 Billion Plan to Overhaul Continuum of Mental Health Care
Governor Kathy Hochul announced details of her comprehensive $1 billion multi-year plan to overhaul the continuum of mental health care and drastically reduce the number of individuals with unmet mental health needs throughout the state. First outlined…