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Sonesta Essential opens in Junction City, KS

Tapan Parekh is the hotel’s owner and general manager

Sonesta Essential opens in Junction City, KS

Sonesta Essential Junction City is now open in Junction City, Kansas. The 119-room upper-midscale property is owned by Tapan Parekh.

The hotel is near the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area, and Milford Nature Center & Fish Hatchery, Sonesta said in a statement. Junction City is known for its proximity to Fort Riley, the Buffalo Soldier Memorial, and agritourism attractions.


“We are excited to expand our Sonesta Essential brand with the addition of Sonesta Essential Junction City,” said Keith Pierce, Sonesta’s executive vice president and president of franchise and development. “Sonesta Essential has quickly become Sonesta’s fastest-growing brand, and this opening continues the brand’s momentum following its launch in January 2023.”

The new Sonesta Essential is near the Spring Valley Historic Site, South Park Junction City and the U.S. Cavalry Museum. It features a fitness center, the statement said.

Sonesta will enter a long-term franchise agreement for 114 hotels it currently manages after their sale by Service Properties Trust. This conversion will expand Sonesta's portfolio to over 862 properties and 58,095 rooms. Globally, Sonesta has around 1,100 properties with 100,000 guest rooms across 13 brands in nine countries.

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Ex-US Congressman Alleges H-1B Visa Fraud linked to India
Photo Credit: Dave Brat/LinkedIn

Ex-U.S. congressman alleges H-1B visa fraud in India

Summary:

  • Former Rep. Dave Brat alleges large-scale H-1B visa fraud linked to India.
  • Claims Chennai consulate issued 220,000 visas, far above the 85,000 cap.
  • Former U.S. diplomat reported forged documents, political pressure at same consulate.

ECONOMIST AND FORMER U.S. Rep. Dave Brat alleged fraud in India’s H-1B visa system, claiming the Chennai consulate issued more than twice the legally permitted number of visas nationwide. He said on Steve Bannon's War Room podcast that while the national H-1B cap is 85,000, the Chennai consulate processed about 220,000 visas—2.5 times the limit.

Brat said the H-1B system was “captured by fraud,” asserting that visa allocations from India exceeded statutory limits, according to the Times of India.

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