Current Affairs on 12 November 2020

China launches 'world's first 6G experiment satellite'
China has sent into space the world's first 6G experiment satellite. The 6G satellite was among three Chinese satellites successfully launched into orbit, along with 10 commercial remote sensing satellites developed by Argentinian company Satellogic. This was the 351st rocket of China's Long March series.

Kash Patel named Chief of Staff to acting US Defence Secretary
Indian-American Kash Patel has been named as the Chief of Staff to the Acting US Defence Secretary Chris Miller. The new appointment comes a day after Donald Trump fired Defence Secretary Mark Esper and designated Chris Miller, as the Acting Secretary. Kash Patel, currently on the National Security Council staff. He replaces Jen Stewart, who resigned earlier in the day.

IFSCA approves draft banking regulations at IFSC
International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) conducted a meeting on November 11 in New Delhi. The IFSC Authority approved the International Financial Services Centres Authority (Banking) Regulations, 2020 in the meeting.

Indian Navy launches 5th Scorpene Submarine "Vagir"
The Indian Navy has launched the fifth Scorpene submarine "Vagir" at Mazagon Dock of south Mumbai. The submarine is capable of taking missions such as anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, mine laying, intelligence gathering and area surveillance.

Maharashtra Governor releases a book 'Majhi Bhint'
Maharashtra Governor, Bhagat Singh Koshyari has released the book 'Majhi Bhint' (My Wall) authored by former Maharashtra Minister of Education Rajendra Darda at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai. The book is a compilation of selected Facebook posts of Rajendra Darda pertaining to a range of issues written over the last four years.

Finance Minister announces 'Aatmanirbhar' Package 3.0
The Finance Minister of India, Smt Nirmala Sitaraman has announced the 'Aatmanirbhar' Package 3.0. Addressing a press conference to announce more stimulus measures to boost growth. According to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman, PMI rose to 58.9 in October 2020 indicating strong recovery of the economy from COVID-19 crisis.

HDFC Bank launches SmartHub Merchant Solutions 3.0 for SMEs
HDFC Bank has announced the launch of "SmartHub Merchant Solutions 3.0" for Small and mid-size enterprises. This solution allows merchants and self-employed professionals to instantly open a current account and start accepting payments in-store, online, and on-the-go.

CM Naveen Patnaik launched a mobile app "Secha Samadhan"
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched 'Secha Samadhan', a bilingual mobile application, to address the irrigation problems faced by farmers without them having to visit the offices concerned.

Paytm launches "Payout Links" for small businesses
Paytm has launched "Payout Links" for businesses, enabling them to instantly process payouts to customers, employees and vendors, without collecting their bank details. It is aimed at helping small businesses in sectors like gaming, retail, export, manufacturing and e-commerce.

China's Chen Meng claims ITTF Women's World Cup title
The world number one Chen Meng beat Chinese compatriot Sun Yingsha to win her maiden International Table Tennis Federation(ITTF) Women's World Cup table tennis title in held in Weihai, China. The 2020 ITTF Women's World Cup was the 24th edition of the ITTF-sanctioned event.

Public Service Broadcasting Day: 12 November
Public Service Broadcasting Day is celebrated on 12 November every year. The day is celebrated to commemorate the first and only visit of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, to the studio of All India Radio, Delhi in 1947.

World Pneumonia Day: 12 November
World Pneumonia Day is observed globally on 12th November every year. The day is celebrated to raise awareness, promote prevention and treatment and produce action to combat the disease. The day was first celebrated in the year 2009.

Veteran Gujarati columnist Carlos Gonzalez Valles SJ passes away
Author & Gujarati columnist, Father Carlos Gonzalez Valles SJ passed away. A Jesuit priest born in Spain, he was a Mathematics teacher. He wrote in Gujarati, English & Spanish. He translated many mathematical concepts into Gujarati and coined terms. He is popularly known as Father Valles.
Delhi Government launches Jeevan Seva App for transportation of COVID-19 patients
The Health Minister of Delhi, Satyendar Jain on November 12, 2020, launched the Jeevan Seva App for the safe and timely transportation of Corona patients to the healthcare facilities and hospitals. It has been launched in collaboration with EVERA Cab services.