1. The homeland security secretary in the Obama administration recently said the Border Security Act, which proposes a steep hike in some categories of H-1B and L-1 visa fees, "makes sense" and would in no way undermine "robust and vital" ties with India. Can you name the official?
2. Which country has topped the list of countries contributing to space debris, according to a study by the Russian space agency, Roscosmos?
3. In separate letters to Mumbai's municipal commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya and MMRDA commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad, the NCP's Maharashtra unit president told them to ensure that infrastructure work in Mumbai is of good quality since these are being undertaken with the taxes paid by the common man. Name the politician.
4. The deputy spokesperson of the White House National Security Council dismissed as "incorrect" reports that the US was linking to bilateral investment ties India's efforts to seek more compensation from Dow Chemicals, which bought Union Carbide, for the Bhopal gas tragedy. The official said Washington was committed to building a strong relationship with India. Can you name the official?
5. Who is the national security adviser of Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai? He recently accused Pakistan of harbouring Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorists and said the global community was committing a blunder by embracing Islamabad as a strategic partner.
6. Name the US military commander in Iraq who announced on August 16 that the United States had cut the number of its troops in Iraq to below 50,000 ahead of the August 31 deadline set by President Barack Obama to end combat missions.
7. Name the CEO and managing director of BrahMos Aerospace, an Indo-Russian joint venture, who stated on August 25 that an air-to-land BrahMos supersonic missile was almost ready.
8. Maharashtra’s environment secretary has sought Rs3 crore from the owners of cargo vessel MSC Chitra for clean-up operations carried out off Mumbai's coast after the ship collided with another merchant vessel early this month, causing an oil spill. Can you name the secretary?
9. Who was appointed India's new election commissioner on August 25?
10. Name Jammu & Kashmir's PWD minister who was sacked on August 26 in the wake of a row over the alleged use of an impersonator for his daughter during a medical entrance examination.