CURRENT AFFAIRS SEPTEMBER 09

1. IAF completes the first level of astronaut selection for Gaganyaan

The first level of selection of Indian astronauts for Mission Gaganyaan has been completed at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

• The Gaganyaan mission was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech last year, is scheduled to launch by December 2021.
• The mission entails placing a three-member crew into a low-Earth orbit for a period of seven days.
• If successful, it will make India the fourth country to independently send human beings into space.
• The chosen astronauts will then be sent to Russia by November for 15 months of training.

2. Chandrayaan-2 orbiter locates Lander Vikram on the surface of the moon

In a significant development relating to the lunar mission Chandrayaan-2, the Lander Vikram has been located on the surface of the moon.

• The Chairman of the national space agency ISRO, Dr K Sivan has said, a thermal image of the Lander has been captured by the Orbiter of Chandrayaan-2.
• The thermal image has been captured by the ‘Imaging Infra-Red Spectrometer’ that is fitted on the Orbiter.
• The spectrometer is one of the eight scientific instruments that are onboard the Orbiter.
• The Orbiter is meticulously revolving around the moon and has eight important payloads on it including the Infra-Red device.

3. Article 371 providing special provisions for NE states will not be tampered

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asserted that Article 371, which provides special provisions for North-Eastern states, will not be tampered.

• Addressing the 68th Plenary of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Guwahati, Mr. Shah allayed apprehensions of North Eastern people regarding Article 371.
• Article 371 of the Constitution includes “special provisions” for 11 states, including six states of the Northeast.

4. Government to spend 3.5 lakh crore rupees in the next five years on Jal Jeevan Mission

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the central government will spend 3.5 lakh crore rupees in the next five years on 'Jal Jeevan Mission'.

• The aim of the mission is to deliver potable water at every household across the country.
• Jal Jeevan Mission has been launched in order to free women from the trouble of having to toil hard to fetch water.
• Jal Jeevan Mission involves saving water and delivering water at one's doorstep.

5. Kenya's Brigid Kosgei runs fastest-ever women's half-marathon

Kenya's Brigid Kosgei ran the fastest half-marathon ever by a woman, winning the Great North Run in a time of one hour, four minutes and 28 seconds.

• Her time was 23 seconds quicker than the world record set in 2017 by fellow Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei.
• Kosgei, who won this year's London Marathon, led a Kenyan sweep of the top four places, with Magdalyne Masai second (1:07.36) and Linet Masai third (1:07:44).
• Mo Farah won the men's elite race for a record sixth successive year.

6. US Open Final: Bianca defeats Serena

Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu stuns Serena Williams in a gripping US Open Women's final to claim her first Grand Slam title.

• Bianca Andreescu defeated Serena Williams in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, to win her first Grand Slam title in US Open women's final.
• In a matchup between tennis' Canadian teenage newcomer and one of the greatest superstars in the history of tennis, the youngster took home the crown.

7. Malinga takes a double hat-trick in final T20 against New Zealand

Yorker King Lasith Malinga was at his best in the 3rd T20I between Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

• Malinga went past Wasim Akram to become the 1st-ever bowler in international cricket to pick up 5 hat-tricks.
• Malinga did not stop with just a hat-trick as he went on to pick up 4 in 4, thereby becoming the only bowler to achieve the feat in international cricket twice.
• He became the first bowler in Twenty20 internationals to claim 100 wickets.

8. Kraigg Brathwaite reported for suspected illegal bowling action

West Indies Cricketer Kraigg Brathwaite has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action during the second Test against India in Kingston.

• ICC match officials report cited concerns about the legality of the 26-year-old's bowling action during the course of the match.
• With Brathwaite being reported again, he will be required to submit to further testing by September 14.
• He is, however, permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results of the testing are known.

9. Noted lawyer & former union minister Ram Jethmalani passes away

Noted lawyer and former Union Minister Ram Jethmalani passed away at his residence in New Delhi.

• Jethmalani a sitting Member of the Rajya Sabha, was ill for some time due to age-related ailments.
• Jethmalani had also served as a union minister for law and urban development in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cabinet.
• He was also the chairman of the Bar Council of India.