21 Feb 2025; Daily Current Affairs Updates

Mount Etna ; GS-1 (Geography) ▪️Why in the News:

Mountain police in Italy have urged tourists not to get too close to Mount Etna's lava flows, as people flocked to the area following the volcano's latest eruption.

> About Mount Etna:

• Mount Etna is an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily.

• Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe.

• Mount Etna is the highest Mediterranean island mountain and the most active stratovolcano in the world.

• Stratovolcano is a volcanic landform characterized by a conical shape formed by layers of volcanic material deposited during successive volcanic eruptions.

• Mount Etna is a World Heritage Site.

Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM); GS-2 (Governance) ▪️Why in the news:

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has introduced the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) as part of a larger initiative to harmonise the digital presence of the Government of India.

> About :

• DBIM is designed to transform India's digital governance by creating a standardized, secure, and inclusive digital identity across various government platforms.

> Objectives of DBIM:

• It aligns with the Prime Minister's vision of "Reform, Perform, and Transform."

• The initiative focuses on enhancing citizen-centric digital governance to improve public service delivery.

• It aims to simplify and standardize government websites and services, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all.

• DBIM reinforces the principle of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" by promoting uniform governance practices.

> Key Features of DBIM:

• DBIM Toolkit - Provides a standardized framework to maintain consistency in digital identity across government platforms.

• Gov. In CMS - A structured content management system designed to streamline the management of government websites.

OPEC+ ; GS-2 (International Relations) ▪️Why in the news:

Brazil has announced its decision to join OPEC+.

> About:

• OPEC+ is an alliance of 22 ol-exporting nations that convenes regularly to determine the volume of crude oil to be supplied in the global market.

• The primary objective of these countries is to collaborate on adjusting oil production levels to maintain stability in the oil market.

> Origin of OPEC+:

• The agreement to establish cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC oil-producing nations was formalized in late 2016.

The aim was to create a structured and sustainable framework for collaboration on oil production policies.

At the core of OPEC+ are 12 member countries of OPEC, which include several Middle Eastern and African nations:

• Members of OPEC+:

• OPEC+ consists of the 12 OPEC nations along with 10 additional countries:

• Non-OPEC members: Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mexico, Malaysia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Oman.

> What is OPEC?

• OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) is a permanent intergovernmental organization formed by oil-exporting nations.

• It was founded in 1960 by five countries: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela.

• Currently, OPEC has 12 member nations, including Algeria, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Libya, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates.