Starbucks Agrees to Sell China Retail Operations

Starbucks agreed on Nov. 3 to sell control of its mainland China retail operations to Boyu Capital in a joint venture valued at about $4 billion (cash- and debt-free); Starbucks said its total China retail business is worth roughly $13 billion and will retain the brand and IP under a licensing arrangement. Road-safety and health experts warned that while caffeine can temporarily boost alertness, excessive intake (above roughly 400 mg/day) can cause jitters, tremors, anxiety and slowed reactions, and some studies link heavy caffeine use to higher crash risk, so drivers are urged to rest rather than over-rely on coffee. Explanatory coverage emphasized that caffeine masks sleepiness rather than truly waking people, producing a false sense of alertness that can contribute to mid-morning energy slumps. A longtime Louisville reporter marked the start of the college basketball season with a personal column recalling 33 seasons of openers at the KFC Yum! Center. North Carolina’s football team has shown late-season defensive improvement, with breakout plays from transfer Melkart Abou-Jaoude and increased snaps for junior Tyler Thompson, as the Tar Heels sit 3-5 with key ACC games remaining.