Corporate Bits | New Year’s Eve gala at the Venetian Macao

Sands Resorts Cotai Strip is presenting its annual New Year’s Eve gala dinner with a night of music, dancing, entertainment and gourmet food awaiting guests ringing in 2015. The New Year’s Eve gala at The Venetian Ballroom includes four courses of food including lobster, foie gras and wagyu beef; half a dozen different entertainment acts, headlined by KC and the Sunshine Band; a countdown to 2015 that will include a live feed of the pyrotechnic display outside The Venetian Macao; and a lucky draw that will see some guests win amazing prizes.
The gala theme is Light Up 2015 and guests will be asked to dress to the nines with an “Elegant” dress code to welcome 2015 in the best possible taste. Live entertainment will feature legendary hitmakers and Grammy winners KC and the Sunshine Band helping deliver an unforgettable night. Joining them will be Andy Frasco and the UN, 2013 Cotai Jazz & Blues festival finalists. There will also be singers from the hit show “Voice of China” and many other performers will keep revelers entertained throughout the evening.

barnes & noble, microsoft end nook deal

Bookseller Barnes & Noble said yesterday it is ending its commercial agreement with Microsoft for its Nook e-book reader ahead of its planned Nook spinoff.
The news came as the largest U.S. traditional bookseller reported second quarter net income that missed expectations. Shares fell 8 percent in premarket trading.
Barnes & Noble, beset by tough competition from online retailers like Amazon and discount stores like Wal-Mart, said in June that it plans to split off its money-losing Nook e-reader division as it looks to boost shareholder value.
Barnes & Noble struck a deal with Microsoft in 2012 to help support its Nook Business. Yesterday it said it will buy back Microsoft’s USD300 million stake in the business.
The company also said the spinoff could occur by the end of August 2015.
Shares of Barnes & Noble fell $1.74, or 7.8 percent, to $20.50 in premarket trading.