VOA E - Paper 03-27-20

Page 1

COVID-19 UPDATES on Page 4

Serving Harris, Fort Bend and Surrounding Counties for over 30 years

Houston area coronavirus hotlines:

Connect with us today! Visit us Online at www.voiceofasia.news

To Advertise call 713-774-5140

Houston – 832.393.4220 Harris County – 832.927.7575

FRIDAY, March 27, 2020 l Published Weekly From Houston

Vol. 34 • No. 13 • 16 Pages (2 sections) • 50 cents • 713-774-5140 • www.voiceofasia.news • E-mail: voiceasia@aol.com

Gunmen storm SikhHindu temple in ongoing Kabul assault

US Senate, W.House agree on $2 trillion rescue for virus-hit US economy

Stay Home - Work Safe order issued for Houston, Harris County

by Michael Mathes

W

Afghan personnel arrive at the site of an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Image Credit: AP

by Emal Haidary

K

ABUL, Afghanistan | AFP | 3/25/2020 Gunmen stormed a Sikh-Hindu temple in central Kabul on Wednesday and were locked in an ongoing battle with security forces, an official said, in the latest assault on the Afghan capital.

The attack comes as Afghanistan is facing myriad crises including a raging insurgency, political deadlock, a massive cut in US aid, a flailing peace process and rising coronavirus cases. “At around 7:45 am (0315 GMT), a number of attackers entered a Hindu-Sikh temple,” interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian told AFP. “People are stuck inside the building and (security forces) are trying to rescue them.” The Taliban denied any involvement in the attack. While no other group immediately claimed responsibility, Islamic State jihadists frequently orchestrate assaults on the country’s

K AUSHAL P ATEL A SSOCIATES F ORENSIC D ATA C ONSULTANT

ASHINGTON | AFP | Wednesday 3/25/2020 The Senate and White House have reached agreement on a $2 trillion stimulus package for the US economy and millions of Americans ravaged by the coronavirus crisis, top lawmakers said early Wednesday.

“At last, we have a deal,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, hailing the massive “wartime level of investment religious minorities. into our nation” reached after “There are about 150 people five days of arduous and tense inside the temple. Families are negotiations. living there and they usually “We have a bipartisan agreegather to offer prayers in the mornings,” said Anarkali Kaur ment on the largest rescue packHonaryar, a Sikh member of the age in American history,” top Senate Democrat Chuck SchumAfghan parliament. er said shortly after McConnell “Some people inside the tem- spoke. ple are hiding and their phones “So many people are being are off. I am very concerned.” put out of work through no fault IS has a history of targeting of their own. They don’t know Afghan Sikhs and Hindus in- what their future is going to be cluding a suicide bombing in like, how are they going to pay Jalalabad in July 2018 that killed the bills,” Schumer added. 19 people and wounded 21. “Well, we come to their resAround 1,000 Sikhs and Hin- cue.” dus are estimated to reside in The Senate and House of Repwhat is otherwise an overwhelmresentatives still need to pass the ingly Muslim nation. legislation before sending it to Earlier this month, IS jihadists President Donald Trump for his killed 32 people and wounded signature. dozens more in an attack at a poMcConnell said the Senate litical gathering in Kabul. will vote on the measure later To add to the country’s woes, Wednesday. Washington slashed the amount Continued on Page 3 of aid to the country this week.

Harris County Executive Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner during a press conference on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at TranStar in Houston announcing the Stay Home - Work Safe Order to be effective until April 3. (KTRK Screen grab).

H

ARRIS COUNTY Tuesday, March 24, 2020 (KTRK) - A Stay Home - Work Safe Order has been issued for Houston and Harris County residents to help fight the spread of COVID-19.

The order will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. and will last until April 3. It applies throughout Harris County, including unincorporated areas and all cities within the county.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a tweet that people should stay home except for essential needs. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner echoed what Hidalgo said.

health and safety of our community,” Hidalgo said.

“I can say to you without reservation that @HarrisCoJudge and I are standing together on this order. This is a public health The decision was announced crisis,” Turner wrote. Tuesday at a joint press conferAccording to the federal govence with Hidalgo and Turner. ernment’s Cybersecurity and “To put simply, this means that Infrastructure Security Agency all of us should stay home unContinued on Page 3 less our jobs are essential for the

H ARRY P ATEL CFE, CTRS, EA, CBA IRS T AX P RACTIONER


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.