Notes:
Every year, International Volunteer Day is observed on December 5 to encourage the role of volunteers at national and international level for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).
This day recognises the contribution of volunteers across the globe. UNGA signified 2001 as International Year of Volunteers (IYV). The theme of this year’s ‘International Volunteer Day’ is ‘Volunteer now for our common future’.

Notes:
World Soil Day is celebrated every year on December 5, to highlight people’s attention to the importance of soil and its sustainable management.
This year’s campaign is based on the theme of “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity”. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being. The international observance was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002.

Notes:
Eminent Indian-American mathematician Nikhil Srivastava, has been jointly selected for the inaugural $5,000 Ciprian Foias Prize.
He was awarded for his contribution in Operator Theory by the American Mathematical Society (AMS).Along with Professor Srivastava, who teaches at the University of California, Berkeley, two other awardees are Adam Marcus and Daniel Spielman.

Notes:
The first ‘2+2’ ministerial dialogue scheduled to take place in Delhi. It will be held at the level of the foreign and defence ministers, will cover “political and defence issues of mutual interest”.
Until now, India held 2+2 format of meetings with member nations of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) — the US, Japan and Australia. Earlier, the 21st India Russia Annual Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin was held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on December 6, 2021.

Notes:
New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel became only the third bowler in the 144-year-old history of Test cricket to take all 10 wickets in an innings.
He achieved this feat on the second day of the second match against India. England’s Jim Laker and India’s Anil Kumble had achieved this significant feat in Test cricket. The 33-year-old player is playing in his 11th Test.