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Briefs: Branson-Saudi talks on hold | Strikes continue

Branson pulls out of Saudi projects: Virgin Hotels founder Richard Branson has said he’s pulling back from two tourism projects in Saudi Arabia and has suspended discussions with the Saudi government about a US$1 billion investment in Virgin’s space companies. The British billionaire said in a statement that he was stepping away amid mounting questions about the kingdom’s role in the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was last seen entering the Saudi consulate general in Istanbul on October 2.

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Strike roundup: Forty-one striking Marriott employees were arrested on Friday afternoon at a rally outside a San Francisco Marriott hotel. More than 3,000 workers are striking in that city. The strikers, who had sat in the street in front of the Marriott Marquis, were cited with misdemeanors and released. Meanwhile, in Honolulu, Unite Here Local 5 and Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, which owns five hotels including the Royal Hawaiian and the Sheraton Maui, hit an impasse in their own negotiations. At least one observer is concerned that the strike will dampen next year’s bookings, according to the Associated Press.

Woodbine acquires DoubleTree: Woodbine Legacy Investments purchased the 375-room DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles – Westside and an adjacent parcel from The Carlyle Group for US$151.5 million. It’s the third acquisition for Woodbine, a private fun created and managed by Woodbine Development Corporation. Woodbine plans to invest US$35 million into renovation, which is set to begin in early 2019.

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