News in Short

• Stones apparently belonging to the Pallava period have been found on Mamallapuram beach.
• Top layer of sand being washed by rough seas and wave has exposed the stones, some of which resemble Shivalinga and probably belong to a temple.
• The Archaeological Survey of India has moved four stones of 1 m to 1.5 m length each to its local office for evaluation.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Prime and the sixth Defence India Start–up Challenge (DISC–6) meant to encourage defence start–ups during DefConnect 2.0.
• The iDEX-Prime aims to support projects, requiring support beyond ?1.5 crore up to ?10 crore, to help the ever–growing start–ups in the sector.
• The iDEX has provided an opportunity to science and technology professionals to understand futuristic technologies such as AI, Augmented Reality, block-chain and space technologies.

• Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) subsidiary Adani Harbour Services has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire leading third-party marine services provider Ocean Sparkle Ltd (OSL).
• OSL has long-standing relationships with its existing clients, with contracts ranging from 5 to 20 years. The Company has presence in all the major ports, 15 minor ports and all the 3 LNG terminals in India.
• The OSL has significant experience in global maritime servicing through its operations in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Yemen and Africa.

• NASA has picked six satellite communications providers, including Amazon and SpaceX to develop and demonstrate space communication services.
• The combined value of NASAs’ Communications Services Project (CSP) funded agreements is $278.5 million.
• Amazon’s Project Kuiperwas awarded $67 million. Elon Musk-owned SpaceX received $70 million.

• Niti Aayog vice chairman Rajiv Kumar has resigned. The government appointed Suman K Bery as the vice chairman.
• Mr Kumar, an eminent economist, took over as vice chairman of NITI Aayog after the then VC Arvind Panagariya exited the government think-tank to return to academics.
• Kumar holds a DPhil in economics from Oxford University and a PhD from Lucknow University. He was also a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR).