Free Republic

Russia is accused of luring young Indians with lucrative job offers, only to force them into Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. A protest in New Delhi saw grieving families demand action, highlighting how men who were given visas to study abroad ended up conscripted into combat. One placard read: “Putin - stop killing our innocent Indian citizens - Stop forcing them to war.” Others carried signs stating: “Bring our children back” and “Our Sons are not soldiers of Russia - Rescue Indian citizens from Russian army.” A mother explained that her family sold land and jewelry and borrowed money to...

The budget motel chain Motel 6 is being acquired by the parent company of Oyo, a hotel operator based in India. The New York-based investment firm Blackstone , which owns Motel 6′s parent company G6 Hospitality, announced Friday that the deal would be an all-cash transaction worth $525 million. Oyo, which launched in India just over a decade ago, has been expanding its footprint in the U.S. over the past few years. The company says it currently operates 320 hotels across 35 states and is aiming to add 250 more this year.