Lok Sabha passes Advocates (Amendment) Bill

• On 4^th December 2023 the Lok Sabha approved a Bill aimed at overseeing the legal profession, specifically addressing the issue of "touts."
• Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal spearheaded the legislation, which had previously received clearance from the Rajya Sabha during the Parliament's Monsoon Session.
• The Advocates (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides that every High Court and District judge can frame and publish lists of touts, who procure clients for legal practitioners in return for any payment.

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Cyclone Michaung

• The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’.
• Cyclone affected areas are Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu of Tamil Nadu and is likely to reach Andra Pradesh.
• The name Michaung is given by Myanmar.
• Depending upon formation, cyclone Michuang will become the fourth Bay of Bengal cyclonic storm and the sixth cyclone formed in the Indian Ocean in 2023.

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The Indian Siblings Becomes Chess Grandmaster

• Indian chess player R Vaishali has teamed up with her younger sibling R Praggnanandhaa to make history as the world's inaugural brother-sister Grandmasters duo.
• Vaishali has become the third woman from India to attain the Grandmaster title at IV El Llobregat Open tournament in Spain.

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First Ship of Survey Vessel Sandhayak Delivered to Indian Navy

• The first Survey Vessel (Large) ship, named Sandhayak (Yard 3025) was constructed at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• It was handed over to the Indian Navy on December 4, 2023.
• The delivery of Sandhayak underscores the commitment of the Government of India and the Indian Navy to 'Aatma Nirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India).

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PM Modi Proposes to Host COP 33 in India

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi, proposed to host COP 33, the UN climate conference in 2028.
• He also inaugurated a 'Green Credit Initiative’, during COP 28.
• Green Credit Initiative aims to establish carbon sinks with active involvement from the public.

What is a COP?

• The Conference of the Parties (COP) serves as the highest governing body of the Convention.
• All States that are parties to the Convention participate in the COP, where they assess the Convention's implementation and any additional legal instruments adopted by the COP.
• During these sessions, decisions are made to enhance the effective implementation of the Convention, encompassing considerations for institutional and administrative arrangements.

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AATCOC to Launch the first-ever Asian Hajj and Umrah Expo at Delhi

• The Asian Arab Trade Chamber of Commerce (AATCOC) announced the Asian Hajj and Umrah Expo 2024 as the largest pilgrimage expo in Asia.
• The event is scheduled to take place from 16th January 2024 to 18^th January 2024 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, Delhi NCR.