Current Affairs Updates - 23rd September 2013

 Current Affairs Updates - 23rd September 2013

International Events

• An Al-Qaeda group in Syria says one of its top commanders in the country was killed in an ambush by rival, Western-backed rebels in a northern province.
• Egypt court bans ousted president’s Muslim Brotherhood group, orders its assets confiscated.

National Events

• The Supreme Court issued notice to the central government, disaster relief agencies, the meteorological department and some states on a PIL seeking implementation of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, in "letter and spirit". 
• All India Radio (AIR) is all geared up for the annual Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan scheduled in 30 different venues across India on September 28, 2013.
• The Centre told the Supreme Court that securing Aadhar cards, being issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), was optional and it has not made it mandatory for the citizens.
• Nearly 16 months after he was arrested by the CBI in the disproportionate assets case and lodged in Chanchalguda Jail, YSR Congress party president Jaganmohan Reddy was granted bail by the trial court.
• On the lines of a legislation in Maharashtra, the State Government is in favour of a law against superstition and black magic to take appropriate and stringent social and legal measures to effectively prevent inhuman practices such as sacrificing domestic animals, black magic, sinister and aghori practices and to save the common people falling prey to the sinister designs of black magicians and conmen.
• The Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Shri K. Rahman Khan launched the Schemes “Seekho aur Kamao (Learn & Earn)”, the Skill Development Initiative for Minorities and “Jiyo Parsi”, the scheme for containing population decline of Parsis in India, in New Delhi.
• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa called for robust action to put down forces that threaten to make society prone to violence.

Science and Technology

• Microsoft is introducing two new Surface tablet computers and several accessories as it tries to boost its tablet business as sales of traditional desktop and laptop computers decline.
• Leading personal Computer maker Lenovo on Monday announced the launch of a new range of gaming PCs, priced between Rs 50,990 and Rs 1,36,500.

Sports

• Young Indian cricketer Virat Kohli was appointed as the brand ambassador of the BSF, world's largest border guarding force.