Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has stressed the integration of nature-based solutions into the coastal zone management strategies and other relevant policies instrumental to reduce risks and improve the resilience of the coast. He termed the nature-based solutions as a cost-effective approach that utilises ecosystems and biodiversity services for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, and provides a range of co-benefits like sustainable livelihoods and food, water and energy security. Dr Momen inaugurated the three-day long IORA Blue Carbon Hub think tank meeting “Nature-based solutions for coastal risk reduction” on Tuesday organised by the governments of Bangladesh and Australia in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and IORA Blue Carbon Hub. Secretary at Maritime Affairs Unit Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam chaired the opening session. Around a hundred participants joined the opening day of the meeting.

 Australian scientists say SARS-Cov-2 that causes Covid-19 can survive on surfaces such as banknotes, phone screens and stainless steel for nearly a month, far longer than previously thought.

Research by Australia's national science agency has found that potential vaccines for COVID-19 would not be affected by how the virus has mutated.

Plastic waste from the ocean is washing up and increasing pollution on Australian beaches, researchers have found.