Cities sign climate pledge in boost to global deal

Leading cities and regions promised ambitious cuts to emissions blamed for climate change, hoping to boost efforts for a global deal. The commitment was the latest in a series of pledges during a week of climate events in New York aimed at building momentum for a year-end conference in Paris that seeks to draft a landmark UN agreement. California, which is by far the most populous US state, has promised sweeping action despite political deadlock in the US Congress.