Latest news with #GreenCardLottery
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Comedian Bharti Singh reveals EMI struggles, says side income is a MUST. when doorbell rings, she fears he could be a loan recovery agent
The world of Indian television is currently weathering a turbulent phase. Once known for churning out hit daily soaps and talk shows with mass appeal, the industry is now seeing a steady decline in both output and financial backing. Many shows are disappearing just months after they debut. This concerning trend was highlighted in a podcast featuring comedian couple Haarsh Limbachiyaa and Bharti Singh , along with actress Reem Shaikh . Their candid conversation shed light on how artists, even after years of contribution, are grappling with declining pay and professional uncertainty. Reem Shaikh's Career Paradox: Success Without Stability Reem Shaikh, a prominent figure in the television circuit for over 15 years, shared how her long-standing commitment and past successes haven't translated into the financial security one might expect. Despite delivering high ratings through popular shows like Raabta and several others, she confessed that the earnings she currently receives are nowhere near what she anticipated—once expecting around Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh per episode. Due to massive cost cutbacks across the board, her compensation does not reflect the value or consistency of her work over the years. Haarsh and Bharti's Reality: Loans Over Lavish Paychecks Haarsh Limbachiyaa voiced deep concern over how drastically the TV ecosystem has shifted. According to him, few large-scale shows are being produced anymore, and financial constraints have become the new norm. He emphasized that even as hosts for leading networks like Colors and Sony, they don't receive the generous fees people assume. The couple explained that there's a common misconception that stars like them make Rs 20 to Rs 50 lakh per appearance, but the reality is far less glamorous. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Utilice el servicio de élite para la aplicación de la Green Card Green Card Lottery Experts Solicita ahora Undo Bharti Singh added a humorous yet poignant twist, sharing that their household is surviving by taking loans. She remarked that they've been so reliant on borrowing money that even the milkman's arrival sparks anxiety, fearing it might be a debt collector at the door. The couple mentioned jokingly how they once saw a media article claiming that comedian Krushna Abhishek was earning Rs 35 lakh for a show. Haarsh called Krushna, asking if he could spare some of it. TV's Technical Backbone Crumbles Reem and Haarsh both acknowledged how reduced budgets are not just affecting actors but also the crew behind the scenes. Many directors, editors, and technicians have switched to YouTube to sustain themselves, unwilling to continue depending on television work that no longer offers financial reliability. Another concerning shift, Reem pointed out, is how actors are now hired on monthly contracts rather than being paid per day. With salaries as low as Rs 50,000 per month and expectations to work 22–30 days straight, this model severely undercuts performers, especially those without supplemental income from brand deals or social media. Dreams, Love, and Quiet Strength Despite the instability, Reem remains emotionally grounded. She said she feels content with her career path but chooses not to engage in content creation on platforms like TikTok mply because it doesn't align with her interests. She noted that producers now prioritize social media popularity over acting skills, a factor that cost her a role in a web series. When she tried stepping into films, she was turned away for being "too television." Though she never took a professional break, the struggle to transition was real. On Matters of the Heart Currently single, Reem described herself as a hopeless romantic with traditional values. She hopes to marry within the next five years, looking for someone who seeks emotional depth and long-term stability. She's open to arranged marriage and remains nostalgic about a past relationship from four years ago, admitting she hasn't fully moved on. However, she's in no rush. If she doesn't find the right partner, she plans to adopt a daughter and build a life filled with purpose and love.
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Business Standard
08-05-2025
- General
- Business Standard
US Diversity Visa 2026 results out: How to check green card selection
The US Department of State has released the results of the DV-2026 Diversity Visa Lottery, often known as the Green Card Lottery. Applicants who submitted their entries between October 2 and November 7, 2024, can now check if they have been selected through the Entrant Status Check portal. The Diversity Visa (DV) Programme, run by the US State Department, makes 55,000 immigrant visas available every year. Spouses and children can be included in the application. However, nationals from countries with high immigration rates to the United States, including India, China, and Brazil, are not eligible this year. How to check your result To see if you have been selected, you must visit the official DV Lottery website and enter the following details: Confirmation number Last name Also Read Year of birth The portal will remain open for result access until September 30, 2026. No emails or letters—watch out for scams The US Department of State has warned that it does not send emails or letters to notify entrants. 'For those checking their status, remember we do not send selection notifications by email or post,' the department said. 'Entrants must check their status themselves using the online portal.' Officials said that any message asking for money or personal details should be treated as a scam. What happens after selection Being selected in the DV Lottery does not guarantee you will get a visa. It only means you may apply for one. Since the number of visas is limited and processed in order, applicants are encouraged to act without delay. Those selected should: < Complete Form DS-260, the immigrant visa application, through the Immigrant/Diversity Visa portal < Wait for a notification about an interview appointment from a US Embassy or Consulate < Prepare for the visa interview, during which eligibility will be reviewed If the visa is granted, successful applicants will be allowed to travel to the United States as permanent residents and receive their Green Card. Lost your confirmation number? If you have misplaced your confirmation number, you can recover it through the 'Forgot Confirmation Number' tool available on the DV Lottery website. For any queries, applicants can visit the Diversity Visa Instructions page or contact the Kentucky Consular Center at kccdv@ Messages should include the full name, date of birth, and case number. Important dates for DV-2026 Visa application period: October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026 Result access ends: September 30, 2026 Eligibility and countries excluded this year To qualify for the DV-2026 programme, applicants must have been born in countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. Nationals of the following countries are not eligible for DV-2026: Bangladesh Brazil Canada China (including Hong Kong SAR) Colombia Cuba Dominican Republic El Salvador Haiti Honduras India Jamaica Mexico Nigeria Pakistan Philippines South Korea Venezuela Vietnam
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Habitat for Humanity helps East African family build a new beginning in Abilene
ABILENE, Texas () — After earning an opportunity through the Green Card Lottery program, a family from Eastern Africa secured a home with the help of Habitat for Humanity. For some, opportunities for betterment don't come as easily as it does for others. That is part of the reason Habitat for Humanity's mission is to build homes, communities and hope for those underprivileged individuals. Just one of the examples of the program's success can be found in the home of Feston Manirakiza. He and his family are from the East African country of Burundi and got the opportunity to come to America as Green Card Lottery winners. The Green Card Lottery is a U.S. government program that randomly selects individuals from around the world to become legal permanent residents. This program aims to diversify the immigrant population by offering 55,000 visas annually to those from countries with low immigration rates to the United States. 76-year-old Abilenian spends 30 years volunteering for Habitat for Humanity After coming to the United States, Manirakiza and his family were able to qualify for Habitat for Humanity's home program, which speaks to how the organization gives opportunities to those in similar situations of need. 'Habitat for Humanity gives hope to the hopeless people. I like that. Habitat employees, Habitat.. the volunteers, they gather here. They say Bless the house. Yeah, that's a good memory. A good memory,' Manirakiza said. Manirakiza now works at Hendrick Medical as a CNA, and his two oldest children are attending college. He says Habitat for Humanity played a large part in giving his family hope and a whole new realm of opportunities that they did not have back in Burundi, Africa. 'People back there are really suffering. You can work, but you can't get enough money to raise your kids, to feed your family. Opportunities to take care of our kids, to go to school, to have a better life. Consider or compare to the one left behind,' Manirakiza explained. Planning underway for 'Spanish Arms' lot to become affordable housing Feston went on to say that his neighborhood is filled with individuals like him who have also received this opportunity from Habitat for Humanity. He mentioned that knowing his neighbors share a similar background helps strengthen the community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Mint
04-05-2025
- General
- Mint
US Green Card Diversity Visa 2026 Lottery results released: What you need to know
The US Department of State has officially released the results of the DV-2026 Diversity Visa Lottery, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery. Applicants who submitted entries between October 2 and November 7, 2024, can now check their status online using the Entrant Status Check portal. To see if you were selected, you must enter your confirmation number, last name, and year of birth at the official DV Lottery website. The results will remain accessible until September 30, 2026. The Department of State emphasises that it will not send emails or letters to notify applicants of their selection. Entrants must check the results themselves. Any messages claiming you have won and asking for money or personal details are likely fraudulent. Selection in the DV Lottery does not guarantee a visa. It only means you may proceed to apply for an immigrant visa. Because visas are limited and processed on a first-come, first-served basis, those selected are urged to act quickly. Visit the Immigrant/Diversity Visa portal and complete Form DS-260, the immigrant visa application. After submitting, wait for an interview appointment notification from a US Embassy or Consulate. Prepare for your visa interview, where your eligibility will be assessed. If approved, you can travel to the US as a permanent resident and receive your Green Card. If you've lost your confirmation number, use the 'Forgot Confirmation Number' tool on the DV Lottery website to recover it. For questions, visit the Diversity Visa Instructions page, or contact the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) at kccdv@ including your full name, birthdate, and case number in the message. Visa Application Period: October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026 Result access ends: September 30, 2026 First Published: 4 May 2025, 11:42 PM IST
Express Tribune
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
US Diversity Visa Program: What's the future of the Green Card lottery under Trump?
Listen to article As President Donald Trump embarks on his second term after his re-election in November 2024, the future of the US Diversity Visa Program, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery, hangs in the balance. Trump, a long-time critic of the program and diversity initiatives in general, has voiced strong opposition to the Diversity Visa Program. What is Diversity Visa (DV) Program/ Green Card Lottery? The Diversity Visa (DV) Program grants 55,000 visas each year to applicants from countries with historically low immigration rates to the US, including Germany. While the chances of being chosen are slim, the program is seen as a more accessible option for potential immigrants, requiring only a high school diploma or equivalent or two years of work experience within the last five years. Trump's stance on the Diversity Visa Program has been clear. He has labeled it the 'Democrat Lottery' and tied it to concerns over terrorism. He has called for a shift toward a merit-based immigration system and even sought to terminate the program. Though there were no major legislative changes during his first term, the Trump administration did introduce some restrictions, such as passport requirements, which disproportionately affected low-income applicants. Looking ahead to his second term, it remains to be seen whether Trump will intensify his efforts to eliminate the Diversity Visa Program. He has expressed his desire for a merit-based immigration system, but has yet to provide details on how such a system would operate. Creating such a system would require comprehensive legislation from Congress, which would fundamentally overhaul the US immigration system. Should Trump succeed in eliminating the Diversity Visa Program, it would close off a significant immigration route for many individuals from countries. Although the program's future is uncertain, there are likely to be additional restrictions or alterations to its structure, meaning potential applicants must be prepared for a potentially tougher immigration process. For those relying on the Green Card Lottery, seeking legal counsel to navigate the complex and evolving immigration landscape will be essential as the policy landscape changes and becomes more restrictive. This was not the first time Trump had voiced his opposition to the Diversity Visa Lottery. In August 2017, he threw his support behind the Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment (RAISE) Act, which sought to abolish the program. The RAISE Act proposed drastic reductions to legal immigration and introduced a merit-based system for awarding green cards, a proposal that faced opposition from various factions within Congress. Despite Trump's calls for an end to the program, the likelihood of Congress passing legislation to eliminate the lottery remains uncertain. The Diversity Visa Lottery has survived several attempts to repeal it in the past. Additionally, any legislation to abolish the program would not impact the 2019 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, as the registration period for that year's lottery was already open.
