Morning digest: Nations agree on global climate pact rules, Andhra Pradesh braces for Cyclone Phethai, and more

A select list of stories to read before you start your day.

Matrix: "There is a perception that many Brus are not original inhabitants of Mizoram and are migrants from Assam, Tripura or Bangladesh." A Bru with her voter identity card at the Naisingpara Bru refugee camp, in Tripura in 2014.

COP24: Nations agree on global climate pact rules

Nearly 200 countries overcame political divisions late on Saturday to agree on rules for implementing a  landmark global climate deal , but critics say it is not ambitious enough to prevent the dangerous effects of global warming. After two weeks of talks in the Polish city of Katowice, nations finally reached consensus on a more detailed framework for the  2015 Paris Agreement , which aims to limit a rise in average world  temperatures to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius  (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.

Life on the edge: Border units lack basic amenities

It is a truism that a not-so-healthy and ill-equipped force cannot guard a nation’s borders properly. Nearly 82% of Border Outposts (BOPs) of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), deployed along the inhospitable and rugged China border, do not have access to clean drinking water. Over 40% are unconnected by road, according to submissions made by the Home Ministry before a parliamentary committee.

NEET 2019: A bugbear no longer

Bevin Nishanth, a first-year student in an arts college in the city, has a hectic daily schedule. After attending classes for the first half of the day, Nishanth spends the rest of his day in coaching classes, preparing for the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test(NEET), to be held in May next year, for admission to an MBBS course.

Chhattisgarh still waits for a CM

Four days after winning a decisive victory in Chhattisgarh, the Congress on Saturday failed to announce the next Chief Minister of the State, with hectic lobbying by supporters of each contender going on in Raipur and in Delhi. The decision is now expected to he announced at a meeting of all 68 Congress MLAs-elect at 4 p.m. in Raipur on Sunday.

Live: Australia vs India second Test scorecard

Late on Saturday evening here at the Optus Stadium, there was a sudden spurt of the Bhangra. Belatedly fans flung their tired arms and a feeble Mexican wave ensued. Just like the music’s tempo and the late reaction from the audience constituted diverse layers of the viewing experience, the batting on offer was split into two contrasting styles.

Madam/sir, this country is full entertainment without spending naya paisa

People will say how you can live in India, Mathrubootham? Pollution in the air, poison in the water, traffic in the road, news on TV, inflation, Mrs. Mathrubootham, confusion, corruption, nepotism and all. Fine, all this and all ok. But you tell me madam/sir, which other country you will get so much entertainment without spending one naya paisa. Why you need any Alistair Maclean novel or Gregory peck film in this country when politics is there? This is why there is no public library and all in India. Full drama is happening in real life only. Also with home delivery.

Protesting for democracy, in their own way

In the whirlwind seven weeks of political impasse, Colombo witnessed a string of incessant protests by concerned citizens, including women’s groups, members of the LGBTQ community, artistes and professionals. A little different from each other, the agitations — at the Liberty roundabout, Lipton Circus or Independence Square in the heart of Colombo — had an underlying call: for the country’s democracy to be restored. As Sri Lanka edges towards some reprieve this weekend, many are likely to feel, perhaps in varying measure, relief and hope.

Andhra Pradesh on high alert to threat posed by Phethai

The State government has geared up its administrative machinery to face the likely onslaught of cyclone Phethai which is approaching menacingly towards the coast from the south-central Bay of Bengal where it was centred on Saturday evening.

India coach Harendra Singh irks FIH for raising questions on umpiring

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced some major decisions on Saturday but also made it clear that questioning its officials was not acceptable. Umpiring has been a contentious issue here at the World Cup with India coach Harendra Singh openly saying his team was robbed of a “fighting chance” in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands. But FIH CEO Thierry Weil was more than categorical that there would not even be a review.

U.S. recession risks jump, Fed rate hike expectations slump

The risk of a U.S. recession in the next two years has risen to 40%, according to a  Reuters  poll of economists, which also found a significant shift in expectations toward fewer Federal Reserve interest rate rises next year. What has fuelled concerns of a downturn is the flattening of the U.S. yield curve — with the spread between two-and 10-year note yields falling to less than 10 basis points, the smallest gap since the run-up to the last U.S. recession.