A California couple abandoned their children and went incognito after stealing millions of dollars from the government in Covid relief money.

According to reports, Richard Ayvazyan, 43, and Marietta Terabelian, 37, allegedly submitted false claims and pilfered $18 million of Covid relief aid and used those funds on luxury villas and jewellery.

The Covid relief funds— disbursed under the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans scheme— were meant to help business owners struggling due to the impact of the pandemic.

But the absconding couple spent the money on expensive homes in high-end neighbourhoods in Los Angeles and other locations in California.

On Monday, a local court found the pair guilty of fraud and sentenced them to jail, despite not attending the court hearing.

Ayvazyan was handed a 17-year sentence while Terabelian was given six years, according to reports.

Artur Ayvazyan, Richard's brother, was given a five-year sentence for his role in the scam.

The couple’s modus operandi involved using fake and stolen identities to get their hands on the funds. The scam saw the suspects steal dozens of identities and produce fake ones, which they used to submit claims.

The whereabouts of Richard Ayvazyan and Marietta Terabelian remain unknown. The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to their arrest.

The couple’s three children— aged 13, 15 and 16—are under the care of their grandmothers and a court-appointed guardian.

(With inputs from agencies)

A California couple abandoned their children and went incognito after stealing millions of dollars from the government in Covid relief money. According to reports, Richard Ayvazyan, 43, and Marietta Terabelian, 37, allegedly submitted false claims and pilfered $18 million of Covid relief aid and used those funds on luxury villas and jewellery.

A California couple abandoned their children and went incognito after stealing millions of dollars from the government in Covid relief money. According to reports, Richard Ayvazyan, 43, and Marietta Terabelian, 37, allegedly submitted false claims and pilfered $18 million of Covid relief aid and used those funds on luxury villas and jewellery. The Covid relief funds— disbursed under the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans scheme— were meant to help business owners struggling due to the impact of the pandemic. But the absconding couple spent the money on expensive homes in high-end neighbourhoods in Los Angeles and other locations in California. On Monday, a local court found the pair guilty of fraud and sentenced them to jail, despite not attending the court hearing. Ayvazyan was handed a 17-year sentence while Terabelian was given six years, according to reports. Artur Ayvazyan, Richard's brother, was given a five-year sentence for his role in the scam. The couple’s modus operandi involved using fake and stolen identities to get their hands on the funds. The scam saw the suspects steal dozens of identities and produce fake ones, which they used to submit claims. The whereabouts of Richard Ayvazyan and Marietta Terabelian remain unknown. The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to their arrest. The couple’s three children— aged 13, 15 and 16—are under the care of their grandmothers and a court-appointed guardian. (With inputs from agencies)

California couple abandon kids, abscond after stealing $18 million of Covid relief aid

Fully vaccinated adults 65 years and older were 94% less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19 than people of the same age who were not vaccinated, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC).

The new study, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), showed that the risk of hospitalisation dropped significantly two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vaccinated-americans-can-exercise-ditch-the-mask-outdoors-cdc-380846">Also read | Vaccinated Americans can exercise, ditch the mask outdoors: CDC</a> 
 
“These findings are encouraging and welcome news for the two-thirds of people aged 65 and up who are already fully vaccinated,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, said in a statement.&nbsp;

“COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective and these real-world findings confirm the benefits seen in clinical trials, preventing hospitalisations among those most vulnerable.”

To conduct its assessment, the CDC said that it collected hospitalisation data from two surveillance networks originally established to monitor serious influenza disease.

This study differentiates itself from recent studies out of Israel which yielded similar results, but only looked at the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine; this study represented both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna equally.

Even the partially vaccinated were 64% less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19.

Nearly 40 per cent of adults in the United States are now fully vaccinated.

As India cautions people to wear masks even at home behind closed doors, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had released new guidelines on April 27, saying people who have been fully vaccinated in the country can stop wearing masks during many outdoor and indoor activities.

(With inputs from agencies)

Fully vaccinated adults 65 years and older were 94% less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19 than people of the same age who were not vaccinated, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC).

Fully vaccinated adults 65 years and older were 94% less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19 than people of the same age who were not vaccinated, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). The new study, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), showed that the risk of hospitalisation dropped significantly two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. Also read | Vaccinated Americans can exercise, ditch the mask outdoors: CDC “These findings are encouraging and welcome news for the two-thirds of people aged 65 and up who are already fully vaccinated,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, said in a statement. “COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective and these real-world findings confirm the benefits seen in clinical trials, preventing hospitalisations among those most vulnerable.” To conduct its assessment, the CDC said that it collected hospitalisation data from two surveillance networks originally established to monitor serious influenza disease. This study differentiates itself from recent studies out of Israel which yielded similar results, but only looked at the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine; this study represented both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna equally. Even the partially vaccinated were 64% less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19. Nearly 40 per cent of adults in the United States are now fully vaccinated. As India cautions people to wear masks even at home behind closed doors, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had released new guidelines on April 27, saying people who have been fully vaccinated in the country can stop wearing masks during many outdoor and indoor activities. (With inputs from agencies)

Vaccinated adults 65 and older 94% less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19, says US CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated guidelines&nbsp;detailing activities that vaccinated people can safely resume, including attending small outdoor gatherings without the need to wear a mask.

The CDC is still calling for caution, however, because it’s not clear whether a vaccinated person can transmit the virus. 
 
Studies show the vaccine is extraordinarily effective in preventing a person from getting seriously ill after becoming infected. But less is known about whether they could still carry the virus and infect others who aren’t vaccinated. 
 
Vaccinated Americans can exercise outside without a face covering, the CDC said. 
 
US President Biden also reacted to the new guidelines and Tweeted," Because of the extraordinary progress we’ve made in the fight against COVID-19, the CDC made a big announcement today: If you are fully vaccinated — and if you are outdoors and not in a large crowd — you no longer need to wear a mask."

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Because of the extraordinary progress we’ve made in the fight against COVID-19, the CDC made a big announcement today: If you are fully vaccinated — and if you are outdoors and not in a large crowd — you no longer need to wear a mask.
— President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1387104758335479813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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According to new guidance released by CDC, “In public spaces, the vaccination status of other people or whether they are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 is likely unknown,”.&nbsp;“Therefore, fully vaccinated people should continue to follow guidance to protect themselves and others, including wearing a well-fitted mask, when indoors or in an outdoor setting or venue where masks are required.”

“CDC cannot provide the specific risk level for every activity in every community, so It is important to consider your situation and the risk to you, your family, and your community before venturing out without a mask,” the agency added.

Masks are still considered necessary for vaccinated people if they are at concerts, parades or large sporting events, even when outdoors, the CDC said.

Previously the CDC had been advising that people should wear masks outdoors if they are within 6 feet of each other. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated guidelines detailing activities that vaccinated people can safely resume, including attending small outdoor gatherings without the need to wear a mask.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated guidelines detailing activities that vaccinated people can safely resume, including attending small outdoor gatherings without the need to wear a mask. The CDC is still calling for caution, however, because it’s not clear whether a vaccinated person can transmit the virus. Studies show the vaccine is extraordinarily effective in preventing a person from getting seriously ill after becoming infected. But less is known about whether they could still carry the virus and infect others who aren’t vaccinated. Vaccinated Americans can exercise outside without a face covering, the CDC said. US President Biden also reacted to the new guidelines and Tweeted," Because of the extraordinary progress we’ve made in the fight against COVID-19, the CDC made a big announcement today: If you are fully vaccinated — and if you are outdoors and not in a large crowd — you no longer need to wear a mask." Because of the extraordinary progress we’ve made in the fight against COVID-19, the CDC made a big announcement today: If you are fully vaccinated — and if you are outdoors and not in a large crowd — you no longer need to wear a mask. — President Biden (@POTUS) April 27, 2021 × According to new guidance released by CDC, “In public spaces, the vaccination status of other people or whether they are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 is likely unknown,”. “Therefore, fully vaccinated people should continue to follow guidance to protect themselves and others, including wearing a well-fitted mask, when indoors or in an outdoor setting or venue where masks are required.” “CDC cannot provide the specific risk level for every activity in every community, so It is important to consider your situation and the risk to you, your family, and your community before venturing out without a mask,” the agency added. Masks are still considered necessary for vaccinated people if they are at concerts, parades or large sporting events, even when outdoors, the CDC said. Previously the CDC had been advising that people should wear masks outdoors if they are within 6 feet of each other. (With inputs from agencies)

Vaccinated Americans can exercise, ditch the mask outdoors: CDC

The US Senate has broken an impasse on the Covid relief package, setting the $1.9 trillion bill on a likely path to passage.

Democrats had struggled to keep Senator Joe Manchin's support for expanded unemployment aid in the sprawling measure, and he threatened to side with Republicans in the evenly divided chamber.

The catch is the deal reduced the jobless benefits. It, however, allowed action to resume in the Senate as it navigates toward passage of President Joe Biden's top legislative priority sometime this weekend.

Manchin was keen on more fiscal restraint than was evident in the Biden package, and was balking at an amendment that would increase weekly additional unemployment benefits from $300 to $400, and extending them through August.

The amendment also provides for tax breaks of up to $10,200 for those receiving unemployment, but only families making less than $150,000.

Without passage of the rescue package, the benefits will expire on March 14 for millions of Americans.

Manchin later said in a statement that they had reached a compromise that enables "the economy to rebound quickly while also protecting those receiving unemployment benefits from being hit with (an) unexpected tax bill next year."

Biden supports this compromise, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.

With the impasse over, a lengthy amendment process known as a "vote-a-rama" was set to resume, with votes on potentially dozens of amendments filed by members of both parties.

The daunting process was likely to carry into the wee hours Saturday or beyond, especially given Friday's nine-hour delay.

Biden has heaped pressure on Democrats to clear the American Rescue Plan through Congress in the coming days, and the Manchin hurdle marked potential disaster.

Democrats are in control of a Senate that is deadlocked 50-50, so any defections within the party could kill the bill.

In the event of a tie, Vice-President Kamala Harris casts the deciding vote.

(with inputs)

The US Senate has broken an impasse on the Covid relief package, setting the $1.9 trillion bill on a likely path to passage. Democrats had struggled to keep Senator Joe Manchin's support for expanded unemployment aid in the sprawling measure, and he threatened to side with Republicans in the evenly divided chamber.

The US Senate has broken an impasse on the Covid relief package, setting the $1.9 trillion bill on a likely path to passage. Democrats had struggled to keep Senator Joe Manchin's support for expanded unemployment aid in the sprawling measure, and he threatened to side with Republicans in the evenly divided chamber. The catch is the deal reduced the jobless benefits. It, however, allowed action to resume in the Senate as it navigates toward passage of President Joe Biden's top legislative priority sometime this weekend. Manchin was keen on more fiscal restraint than was evident in the Biden package, and was balking at an amendment that would increase weekly additional unemployment benefits from $300 to $400, and extending them through August. The amendment also provides for tax breaks of up to $10,200 for those receiving unemployment, but only families making less than $150,000. Without passage of the rescue package, the benefits will expire on March 14 for millions of Americans. Manchin later said in a statement that they had reached a compromise that enables "the economy to rebound quickly while also protecting those receiving unemployment benefits from being hit with (an) unexpected tax bill next year." Biden supports this compromise, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. With the impasse over, a lengthy amendment process known as a "vote-a-rama" was set to resume, with votes on potentially dozens of amendments filed by members of both parties. The daunting process was likely to carry into the wee hours Saturday or beyond, especially given Friday's nine-hour delay. Biden has heaped pressure on Democrats to clear the American Rescue Plan through Congress in the coming days, and the Manchin hurdle marked potential disaster. Democrats are in control of a Senate that is deadlocked 50-50, so any defections within the party could kill the bill. In the event of a tie, Vice-President Kamala Harris casts the deciding vote. (with inputs)

Senate impasse broken, US Covid relief bill now back on track

U.S. congressional leaders said on Sunday they had reached agreement on a $900 billion package to provide the first new aid in months to an economy hammered by the coronavirus pandemic

What's in the $900 billion U.S. COVID-19 aid package?