Starbucks Starbucks, along with its partner Delek Group of Israel, closed all six of its locations in Israel, citing "on-going operational challenges" and a "difficult business environment." The Starbucks location in the former imperial palace in Beijing closed in July 2007. The coffee shop had been a source of ongoing controversy since its opening in 2000 with protesters objecting that the presence of the American chain in this location "was trampling on Chinese culture." In July 2008, the company announced it was closing 600 underperforming company-owned stores and cutting U.S. expansion plans amid growing economic uncertainty. On July 29, 2008, Starbucks
2008 US Open Series 2008 US Open Series To be included in the standings and subsequently the bonus prize money, a player has to have countable results from two different tournaments. Players finishing in the top three in the series can earn up to $1 million in extra prize money. Roger Federer received the largest US Open pay day of $2.4 Million in 2007 after capturing the title in both the US Open Series and the US Open championship. In 2008, the men's series leader Rafael Nadal received US$570,000 for his semifinal finish with a bonus of US$250,000. Women's leader Dinara Safina received US$570,000