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How to get the second $250 coronavirus payment

As many as five million Australians are set to receive another $250 coronavirus payment from as early as March as the government's economic lifelines complete their final stages.

Known as part two of the "Economic Support Payment" – the first of which was delivered in December 2020 – the payment will go straight into eligible receiver's bank accounts.

For others, you must make sure you're eligible by February 26 to receive it.

Here's everything we know about the latest payment.

READ MORE: JobKeeper figures down ahead of end of supplement

What is the latest coronavirus payment?

The latest coronavirus payment is known as the Economic Support Payment, and is an extra cash injection to support those hurt most by virus restrictions.

How much is it?

The latest payment is $250.

It is part of a $500 per eligible person package, the first $250 of which was delivered to recipients in December 2020.

READ MORE: Coronavirus supplement: How to get the $250 economic support payment this month

When will I receive it?

If you are eligible, you should start to see the payment in your account from March 1, 2021.

Who is eligible to receive it?

The eligibility requirement is actually really simple. You need to say yes to these two questions:

  • Are you living in Australia?
  • Are you getting an eligible payment or concession card as of February 26, 2021?

Importantly, you won't receive it if you are being paid the coronavirus supplement.

A list of eligibility requirements can be found on the Services Australia page here.

In that second question, what is an 'eligible payment'?

Good question.

Essentially, you'll receive the payment if you also get one of the following:

  • Age Pension
  • Carer Allowance
  • Carer Payment
  • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
  • Disability Support Pension
  • Double Orphan Pension
  • Family Tax Benefit
  • Pensioner Concession Card

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What do I need to do to receive the payment?

If you are eligible, you don't need to do anything – the government will pay it directly to your bank account.

This is a good time however – particularly if you hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card – to jump onto Centrelink's website and confirm your bank details are correct.

The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

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Archaeologists in Egypt unearth an ancient beer factory

American and Egyptian archaeologists have unearthed what could be the oldest known beer factory at one of the most prominent archaeological sites of ancient Egypt, a top antiquities official said Saturday.

Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the factory was found in Abydos, an ancient burial ground located in the desert west of the Nile River, more than 450 kilometres south of Cairo.

He said the factory apparently dates back to the region of King Narmer, who is widely known for his unification of ancient Egypt at the beginning of the First Dynastic Period (3150 BC to 2613 BC).

LIVE UPDATES: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle having second baby

Archaeologists found eight huge units — each is 20 metres long and 2.5 metres wide.

Each unit includes some 40 pottery basins in two rows, which had been used to heat up a mixture of grains and water to produce beer, Mr Waziri said.

READ MORE: 'Gold-tongued' mummy could date back to famed queen's reign

The joint mission is co-chaired by Dr Matthew Adams of the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, and Deborah Vischak, assistant professor of ancient Egyptian art history and archaeology at Princeton University.

Dr Adams said the factory was apparently built in this area to provide royal rituals with beer, given that archaeologists found evidences showing the use of beer in sacrificial rites of ancient Egyptians.

READ MORE: Egypt unveils ancient funerary temple south of Cairo

British archaeologists were the first to mention the existence of that factory early 1900s, but they couldn't determine its location, the antiquities ministry said.

With its vast cemeteries and temples from the earliest times of ancient Egypt, Abydos was known for monuments honoring Osiris, ancient Egypt’s god of underworld and the deity responsible for judging souls in the afterlife.

READ MORE: Great pyramid relic discovered in Scottish cigar box

The necropolis had been used in every period of early Egyptian history, from the prehistoric age to Roman times.

Egypt has announced dozens of ancient discoveries in the past couple of years, in the hope of attracting more tourists.

The tourism industry has been reeling from the political turmoil following the 2011 popular uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

READ MORE: New x-ray technique reveals clues about ancient 1900-year-old mummy

The sector was also dealt a further blow last year by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Wet start to the week for most of the country

Meteorologists have predicted showers for most states and territories for the start of the week.

Low pressure troughs in the northern tropics as well as other parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, are generating showers and storms.

Cool onshore winds around a ridge of high pressure are bringing the odd shower to eastern parts of NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.

Another ridge is bringing settled conditions to South Australia.

Here's your weather forecast for Monday, February 15, 2021.

New South Wales and ACT

Showers, cool-to-mild in the northeast. Clearing shower, cool-to-mild in the southeast.

Sunny, very warm in the southwest. Mostly sunny, warm in the northwest.

A cloudy and windy day is on the way for Sydney, with a high chance of showers, most likely during this afternoon and evening and a minimum of 19C and a maximum of 23C.

A strong wind warning has been issued for Sydney enclosed waters and the Byron, Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Sydney and Illawarra coasts.

Canberra will be partly cloudy, with southeasterly winds between 15 to 20km/h increasing to 20 to 30km/h in the morning with a minimum of 11C and a top of 24C.

Victoria

Mostly sunny, cool-to-mild in the south. Isolated showers in the far east. Sunny, very warm-to-hot in the north.

https://twitter.com/BOM_Vic/status/1360693841985216513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

There is a chance of fog early this morning in Melbourne. However a sunny afternoon on the way, with light winds becoming S/SE 20 to 30 km/h in the late afternoon.

Queensland

Mostly sunny, mild-to-warm in the southeast.

Showers, very warm in the northeast. Mostly sunny, very warm in the west.

A partly cloudy day is on the way for Brisbane with a slight chance of a shower.

Western Australia

Mostly sunny, hot in the southwest and south. Mostly sunny, warm in the northwest. Showers/storms, very warm in the northeast.

Perth will be very hot and mostly sunny with a minimum of 21C and a top of 37C.

South Australia

Mostly sunny, warm in the southeast. Sunny, warm in central. Sunny, very warm-to-hot in the west and north.

Adelaide will be sunny with a minimum of 14C and a top of 30C.

Tasmania

Mostly cloudy, warm in the southwest. Clearing shower, warm in the southeast. Mostly sunny, mild-to-warm in the northwest. Showers, cool in the northeast.

https://twitter.com/BOM_Tas/status/1361040107126587396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Hobart will be cloudy, with a slight chance of drizzle in the morning and daytime maximum temperatures between 16 and 20.

Northern Territory

Showers/storms, warm in the north. Mostly sunny, warm-to-very warm over the interior and south.

Darwin will be partly cloudy, with a high chance of showers, becoming less likely this evening. There is also the chance of a thunderstorm.

– Reported with Weatherzone

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Duke and Duchess of Sussex expecting their second child

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting their second child.

"We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother," a spokesperson for the couple said in a statement.

"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child."

The Duke and Duchess pregnancy announcement

The baby will be eighth in line to the British throne.

In a statement from the Queen, Buckingham Palace, said: "Her Majesty, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and entire family are delighted and wish them well."

Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle married at Windsor Castle in May 2018.

Their son Archie was born a year later.

In early 2020, Meghan and Harry announced they were quitting royal duties and moving to North America, citing what they said were the unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media.

They recently bought a house in Santa Barbara, California.

In November, Meghan revealed that she had a miscarriage in July 2020, giving a personal account of the traumatic experience in hope of helping others.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

A black and white photo of the couple has been released to mark the announcement.

It features the Duchess lying down in a garden showing her bump, with the Duke cradling her head with his hand.

The photo was taken by Meghan's long-time friend Misan Harriman captioned it: "Meg, I was there at your wedding to witness this love story begin, and my friend, I am honoured to capture it grow.

"Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on this joyous news!"

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COVID-19 fight: There is light at the end of the tunnel, assures Prime Minister Harris

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts –- The Federation is a signatory to the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) which ensures vaccination of 20 percent of the population, but Prime Minister the Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris-led Team Unity Government has plans to have over 70 percent of the population immunised against the virus.

“Many of you have paid a great price through job losses and decreased income,” said Dr. Harris. “I assure you that there is light at the end of the tunnel.” He updated the Federation on the effectiveness of his Government’s strategy to defeat Covid-19, in a national address on Saturday evening, February 13.

Dr. Harris thanked citizens and residents of the Federation for embracing the all-of-society approach and for their cooperation and compliance in the fight against Covid-19. He advised them that they have reached too far to give up now. He urged everyone to continue the fight, have faith, and finish the race together as one Nation.

“The COVAX facility, to which we are signatory, ensures vaccination of 20 percent of the population,” explained Dr. Harris. “My Government plans to source vaccines through other avenues to have more than 70 percent of our population immunised against this virus, thereby achieving herd immunity.”

COVAX is a global initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. It is led by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, the World Health Organisation, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation, among others.

“I am certain we will be successful in running this last leg of the race against COVID-19,” said the Hon. Dr. Harris. “Our Nation will return to some sense of normalcy in the near future and the return of more economic activity. We have been successful so far to strike that delicate balance between saving lives and preserving livelihoods. We are now pivoting to getting everyone back to work, but this must be done in a careful and safe manner.”

The Prime Minister announced that the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis received 2,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine this week from the Commonwealth of Dominica. It also received confirmation from the director of the COVAX Office that the Federation will receive 21,600 doses of the vaccine by the end of this month.

The Republic of China on Taiwan has pledged $600,000 to procure extra vaccines, while assistance of vaccine donations is also expected from India and other allies. According to Dr. Harris, the additional donations from multiple sources will enhance Government’s ability to roll out its mass vaccination programme.

“My Government will continue to support the COVID-19 National Task Force,” said Dr. Harris. “Our capable team of healthcare professionals will move forward with our plans to managing this pandemic. Our security forces will remain vigilant in ensuring that the highest standards of compliance with COVID-19 protocols are maintained.”

The post COVID-19 fight: There is light at the end of the tunnel, assures Prime Minister Harris appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.