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- Satellite imagery shows a nearly completed airstrip on Yemen's Abd al-Kuri Island, likely constructed by the UAE.
- About Abd al-Kuri Island:
- Abd al-Kuri is an island situated roughly 65 miles southwest of Socotra in the Indian Ocean, and is part of the Socotra Archipelago.
- Although administratively part of Yemen, located more than 320 km north of the island, Abd al-Kuri is geographically closer to the Horn of Africa—approximately 110 km east-northeast of Cape Gwardafuy (Guardafui), Somalia.
- The island stretches around 35 km in length and 5 km in width, with its highest point, Mount Jebel Saleh, rising to over 700 meters above sea level.
- With a population of fewer than 500 people, Abd al-Kuri is sparsely inhabited, featuring a few small settlements scattered across the island, all linked by a dirt road.
- Fishing is the primary livelihood for the island's residents.
- A notable feature of Abd al-Kuri is the presence of the endemic Euphorbia abdalkuri, a unique plant known for its toxic and caustic sap.
- Threats in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, and waters near East Africa are expected to rise, prompting the Indian Navy to strengthen its presence and safeguard vital sea routes, according to the Defence Minister.
- About the Gulf of Aden:
- The Gulf of Aden is an extension of the Indian Ocean, located between the Arabian Peninsula to the north and the Horn of Africa to the south.
- It serves as a connection between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, which ultimately leads to the Indian Ocean.
- Named after the port city of Aden on Yemen’s coast, the gulf spans approximately 900 km in length and 500 km in width, covering an area of about 410,000 square kilometers.
- It is bordered to the south by Somalia and the Socotra Islands (part of Yemen), to the north by Yemen, to the east by the Arabian Sea, and to the west by Djibouti.
- The gulf links to the Somali Sea to the south via the Guardafui Channel and to the Red Sea to the west through the Strait of Bab el Mandeb.
- To the west, the Gulf of Aden narrows into the Gulf of Tadjoura, near Djibouti.
- The gulf is separated from the Arabian Sea by the Horn of Africa and the Socotra Islands.
- A key feature of the gulf’s terrain is the Sheba Ridge, an extension of the Indian Ocean ridge system that runs along the center of the gulf.
- In contrast to the nearby Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden has a lower salinity level.
- Notable cities near the gulf include Aden, Mukalla, Ahnwar, Balhaf, Berbera, Bosaso, and Djibouti City.
- Major ports in the region include Aden in Yemen, and Berbera and Bosaso in Somalia.
- The gulf is an integral part of the Suez Canal shipping route, which links the Red Sea to the Mediterranean.
- An estimated 11% of the world’s seaborne petroleum passes through the Gulf of Aden, en route to the Mediterranean or Arabian Seas.
- The first-ever Foundation Day of the Lokpal of India was celebrated on 16th January at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, in the esteemed presence of the Chief Justice of India.
- About Lokpal:
- The Lokpal is a statutory body created under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act of 2013.
- Mandate: Its primary function is to investigate allegations of corruption against specified public officials and address related matters.
- Organisational Structure:
- The Lokpal consists of a Chairperson and eight members, with four of them being Judicial Members.
- The Chairperson must be either a former Chief Justice of India, a former Supreme Court Judge, or an eminent person who meets the required eligibility criteria.
- The judicial members should be either former Supreme Court Judges or former Chief Justices of High Courts.
- At least 50% of the members must belong to SC/ST/OBC categories, minorities, and women.
- Appointments:
- The President of India appoints the Chairperson and members based on recommendations from a selection committee that includes the Prime Minister (Chairperson), Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India or a nominee, and one eminent jurist.
- They serve a term of five years or until they turn 70, whichever comes first.
- The Chairperson's salary and allowances are the same as the Chief Justice of India, while the members receive the same as a Supreme Court Judge.
- Jurisdiction:
- The Lokpal has the authority to investigate allegations of corruption against the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, and Union Government officials across Groups A, B, C, and D.
- It also covers officials of any board, corporation, society, trust, or autonomous body funded by the Union or State government, or receiving foreign contributions exceeding Rs 10 lakh.
- Complaints must relate to offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and can be filed by any individual.
- If a prima facie case is found, the Lokpal can order a preliminary inquiry or refer the case to agencies like the CBI.
- Exceptions for the Prime Minister:
- The Lokpal cannot inquire into allegations against the PM concerning national security, international relations, public order, atomic energy, or space.
- Complaints against the PM require approval from at least two-thirds of the Lokpal bench before an inquiry can proceed.
- Powers of the Lokpal:
- The Lokpal supervises and directs the CBI in corruption cases and must approve any transfer of CBI officers investigating its cases.
- It has the authority to authorize CBI search and seizure operations linked to such cases.
- The Inquiry Wing of the Lokpal holds civil court powers.
- In special cases, it can confiscate assets acquired through corruption.
- The Lokpal can recommend the suspension or transfer of public servants involved in corruption allegations and prevent the destruction of records during preliminary inquiries.
- The Lokpal must submit an annual report to the President, which is then presented to both Houses of Parliament.