Palestinian rivals to try reconciliation

PALESTINIAN officials say Hamas and the Fatah party of President Mahmoud Abbas are making a new attempt to overcome the Palestinians' political split by holding general elections in seven months.

Similar agreements were reached in principle in the past but never implemented.

The Islamic militant Hamas seized Gaza from Abbas in 2007, leaving him with only parts of the West Bank. Both sides have become entrenched in their territories.

Abbas sent a delegation to Gaza this week for reconciliation talks.

Bassam Salhi, one of those sent by Abbas, said on Wednesday that under an emerging agreement, a joint interim government would be formed within five weeks, followed six months later by elections.

A Hamas official confirmed the outlines of the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement.

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Bieber sorry for Japan war shrine visit

Canadian singer Justin Bieber has apologised for visiting Japan's Yasukuni war shrine. Source: AAP

JUSTIN Bieber has apologised to those he offended by visiting Japan's Yasukuni war shrine this week, saying he was misled to see it as only a place of prayer.

The Shinto shrine in Tokyo honours 2.5 million war dead, including 14 convicted war criminals. China and South Korea in particular see Yasukuni as a symbol of Japan's past militarism and see visits to it as a lack of understanding or remorse over wartime history.

Two photos posted late on Tuesday and subsequently removed from Instagram showed Bieber praying outdoors at the shrine and standing beside a Shinto priest. The images outraged China as well as many commenters on Instagram and Twitter.

In a new Instagram post on Wednesday evening, Bieber said he asked his driver to stop when he saw the shrine.

"I was mislead to think the Shrines were only a place of prayer. To anyone I have offended I am extremely sorry," the post said.

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Special royal birthday for one in Adelaide

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have wished a local woman a happy 100th birthday in Adelaide. Source: AAP

IT was a royal visit focused on the young, but the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also made time for the young at heart during their stopover near Adelaide.

At the end of their two-and-a-half hour visit to Elizabeth, north of Adelaide, Kate and William took a moment to make 100-year-old Monica Swarbrick's day.

"The duke wished me a happy birthday," said Ms Swarbrick.

On a hot and sunny Wednesday in Elizabeth, Kate wore a dusty pink Alexander McQueen outfit, while William was in a navy suit and maroon tie.

Ann Hargreaves, 87, was one of the lucky few to speak with the duchess outside the civic centre.

"She (the duchess) said 'it's a lot warmer here than it is in England'," Ms Hargreaves, who was born in London the same year as the Queen, told reporters.

Maurice McCartney, 73, shared a moment with William as he greeted wellwishers.

"I said 'it's fantastic to meet you, and he said 'I've got to keep moving'," said Mr McCartney, who was sporting a Digger's slouch hat and a woollen Union Jack scarf.

On the youth-themed Adelaide stop, William and Kate visited a community music program and a nearby skateboard park, before heading to the Playford Civic Centre for their last engagement - an official reception with around 200 guests all aged under 30.

The royal pair were met with wild applause from thousands of fans lining Playford Avenue when they stepped out of the royal motorcade, about 12.30pm.

After unveiling a plaque renaming the forecourt of the civic centre Prince George Plaza - after their nine-month-old son - William and Kate entered the reception.

The couple split up inside to mingle with with local volunteers and students.

Maria Hull, 18, from Northern Connections community group, said the duke told her he had "played a didgeridoo before".

"He actually owns it, he has it at home," Ms Hull, from Salisbury, said.

"He said he really appreciates Aboriginal culture."

Zoe Stone, 23, was one of a group of volunteers from cancer support group Canteen to meet the duchess.

"I'm shaking after getting that opportunity to meet her," Ms Stone told AAP.

"I was nervous, but she was very lovely and she was very supportive of the organisation."

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Nepal officials deny sherpa exodus

NEPALESE mountaineering officials on Wednesday denied that sherpa guides on Mount Everest plan to abandon this year's climbing season out of respect for 16 colleagues killed in an avalanche last week.

The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), a national body representing tourism promoters, released a statement saying they had not received any confirmation regarding the abandonment) of the expeditions on Everest.

"Whatever the news disseminated in the media about the abandon(ment) of the expedition is false and does not hold any sense," the statement said.

Several guides and Western mountaineers said Tuesday that the sherpas held a meeting on Tuesday following an emotional remembrance ceremony at which they had agreed not to climb the peak this season.

Local guide Pasang Sherpa, part of the International Mountain Guides expedition at base camp, told AFP the sherpas still intend to sit out this season.

"We don't know what is happening in Kathmandu, but ... we don't want to go up the mountain this year," he said after the statement by the NMA.

The situation at base camp, described as tense by climbers there amid fears this year's season could be wrecked, remains highly fluid. Representatives of the sherpas are locked in talks with the government in Kathmandu.

The government, expected to earn at least $US3 million ($A3.21 million) this year from Everest climbing fees alone, is eager to protect Nepal's reputation as one of the world's leading mountaineering destination.

Before the walkout threat on Tuesday, the sherpas had made a series of demands including higher compensation for the dead and injured, an agreement to raise insurance payments and a welfare fund.

Last Friday's avalanche struck a party of sherpas preparing routes for commercial climbers up the mountain, killing 13 and leaving three missing in the most deadly day on the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) peak.

The government has offered to set up a relief fund for injured guides using up to five per cent of fees paid by climbers, while increasing life insurance payments by 50 per cent.

The amounts fall short of demands by the sherpas who want 30 per cent of climbers' fees to be earmarked for the fund and life insurance payments, set at $US10,000 ($A10,711.80), to be doubled.

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Amazon snares classic shows in HBO deal

AMAZON is teaming up with HBO, the first such streaming arrangement agreed to by the cable network, in a deal that will make available to Amazon Prime members some classic TV like The Sopranos and The Wire.

The online retailer has faced mounting pressure to boost its bottom line after a spate of furious growth.

As more Americans shop online, Amazon has spent heavily to expand its business into new areas - from movie streaming to e-readers and groceries - often at the expense of profit.

After hike prices for membership earlier this year in a nod to those investors, Amazon appears ready to expand its offerings further in a grab for streaming market share.

The multi-year content licensing deal between Amazon and HBO will bring a trove of shows to prime users.

Aside from The Sopranos and The Wire, others include Big Love, Deadwood and early seasons of Boardwalk Empire and True Blood.

Original movies including Too Big to Fail and Game Change will also become available, as will original comedy specials from Lewis Black, Louis C.K., Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Maher.

Prior seasons of other HBO programs, like Girls and Veep, will become available about three years after airing on HBO.

"Prime members can enjoy a collection of great HBO shows on an unlimited basis, at no additional cost to their Prime membership," said Brad Beale, director of content acquisition for Amazon.

The first batch of shows will be available on Prime Instant Video starting on May 21.

Glenn Whitehead, executive vice president of business and legal affairs at HBO, said that the company has always wanted to capitalise on its position as owners of its original programming.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed on Wednesday.

The companies also said that HBO's streaming service 'Go' will be offered on Amazon's new streaming device, Fire TV, likely by year's end.

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Sales of new US homes plunge 14.5%

THE number of Americans buying new homes plummeted in March to the slowest pace in seven months, a sign that real estate's spring buying season is off to a weak start.

The Commerce Department says sales of new homes declined 14.5 per cent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 384,000.

That was the second straight monthly decline and the lowest rate since July 2013.

Sales plunged in the Midwest, South and West in March, but they rebounded in the Northeast, where snowstorms in previous months curtailed purchases.

New-home sales have declined 13.3 per cent over the past 12 months.

But median sales prices jumped 12.6 per cent during the past month to $US290,000 ($A310,600).

That's because new-home buyers in March bought more high-end properties compared to previous months.

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NASA satellites used to protect reef

OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD techniques are being used to help protect one of the world's greatest natural wonders.

Researchers at James Cook University in north Queensland are using images from NASA satellites to study the impact of polluted land run-off on the Great Barrier Reef.

The researchers say river flood plumes from heavy rain or cyclones push polluted water, containing pesticides and fertilisers, into the reef.

Dr Caroline Petus, from the university's TropWATER program, says the publicly available images can be effectively used to map the extent, nutrient content and muddiness of flood plumes.

It replaces the need for costly and labor-intensive methods like using submerged data loggers or boats and helicopters to gather water samples, she said.

The images will be used develop river plume maps for the reef's seagrass and coral ecosystems, which are in decline.

"These maps will help our understanding of the resilience of these ecosystems to water quality changes," Dr Petus said.

"In the near future they should help us predict ecosystems' health changes associated with human activities or climate change."

Seagrass expert Dr Michael Rasheed said the new information would help researchers better understand flood plume impacts, leading to better management of the reef.

"It is often difficult to determine whether declines in seagrass beds are due to polluted river run-off or coastal development such as dredging around a port," he said.

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Comcast 1Q earns surge

COMCAST Corp says its first-quarter net income rose by 30 per cent as ad revenue surged at broadcast network NBC.

The results, released on Tuesday, beat Wall Street estimates and its shares edged up in morning trading.

Comcast is the largest cable company in the country with 22 million video customers and 21.1 internet customers.

It is in the midst of an expected yearlong review of its $US45 billion ($A48 billion) acquisition of No. 2 rival Time Warner Cable Inc.

Regulators are examining whether the combination would give it undue pricing power over customers and too much leverage with programmers.

Its net income in the quarter through March rose to $US1.87 billion, or 71 cents per share, from $US1.44 billion, or 54 cents per share a year ago.

Excluding one-time items, adjusted earnings came to 68 cents per share, beating the 64 cents expected by analysts polled by FactSet.

Revenue grew 14 per cent to $US17.41 billion from $US15.31 billion - also higher than the $US16.99 billion expected by analysts.

NBCUniversal revenue grew 29 per cent to $US6.88 billion while cable services revenue grew 5 per cent to $US10.76 billion.

Olympics broadcast rights boosted NBCU revenue by $US1.1 billion.

Even excluding the games, broadcast revenue rose 17 per cent, helped by Fallon's selection for NBC's late night slot, replacing longtime host Jay Leno.

The network was also boosted by more hours of The Voice and the popularity of new shows such as The Blacklist.

On the cable connections side, Comcast added 24,000 video customers during the quarter, the second quarterly gain in a row following a six-and-a-half year losing streak.

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Asia-Pacific navies sign agreement

NAVAL officials from the US and two dozen Asia-Pacific nations have adopted an agreement aimed at improving communication at sea to reduce the possibility of conflict amid rising friction between an increasingly assertive China and its neighbours.

The Code For Unplanned Encounters at Sea provides simple instructions to be translated into regional languages that navies can use when they come across ships from other countries.

It's hoped the code will lessen the possibility of collisions or misunderstandings that could lead to conflict in the heavily trafficked sea lanes surrounding China, Japan and Southeast Asia.

Tensions have risen in the region over competing territorial claims, especially over a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea that are controlled by Japan but claimed by China.

The agreement, approved unanimously at the Western Pacific Naval Symposium in the eastern Chinese port city of Qingdao, is targeted at "establishing international standards in relation to the use of the sea," according to a text of the agreement provided by a US Navy officer.

Although not legally binding, China's adoption of the code indicates its increased willingness to engage with its neighbours, US Navy officials said.

The US, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru and several other nations also signed on.

In the China-Japan island dispute, the US has said it takes no side on the question of sovereignty but that it recognises Japan's administration of the chain and has responsibilities to protect Japanese territory under a mutual defence treaty.

Chinese and Japanese ships have come into regular contact in the area since China stepped up patrols near the islands after Tokyo moved to nationalise them in 2012.

The code will be translated into local languages and allow navy sailors to communicate using bridge-to-bridge radio communications.

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Biden warns Russia over Ukraine

Moscow and Washington have each called for more action from the other to save a deal on Ukraine. Source: AAP

US Vice President Joe Biden has warned Russia "it's time to stop talking and start acting" to reduce tension in Ukraine, offering a show of support for the besieged nation as an international agreement aimed at stemming its ongoing crisis appeared in doubt.

Standing alongside acting Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Biden on Tuesday called on Moscow to encourage pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine to vacate government buildings and checkpoints, accept amnesty and "address their grievances politically".

Biden said Russia needs to act "without delay," adding: "We will not allow this to become an open-ended process."

Yatsenyuk was harsher in his characterisation of Russia. "No country should be able to behave like an armed bandit," he said. "Russia should stick to its international commitments and obligations. They should not behave as gangsters in the modern century."

The warnings for Russia from both leaders demonstrated the fragility of last week's multinational agreement.

Biden also announced the United States will provide an additional $US50 million ($A53.78 million) to help Ukraine's beleaguered government with political and economic reforms.

The money includes $US11 million to help conduct the May 25 presidential election, including voter education, administration and oversight. It also will help fund expert teams from US government agencies to help Ukraine to reduce its reliance on energy supplies from Russia. Other technical advisers will help fight corruption.

The White House also announced $US8 million in non-lethal military assistance for the Ukrainian armed forces, including bomb-disposal equipment, communications gear and vehicles.

In the most high-level visit of a US official since the crisis erupted, Biden met privately with Yatsenyuk and acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov.

Earlier, he told leaders from various political parties that he brings a message of support from President Barack Obama as they face a historic opportunity to usher in reforms.

The developments came as Senator John McCain, who recently visited the region, described US allies in Eastern Europe as "extremely nervous" about the intentions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In an MSNBC interview, the Arizona Republican called on Obama to give the Ukrainian government "some weapons to defend themselves".

McCain, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said America must show more support for countries under siege. That doesn't mean the United States "must fight" every war, he said, but "the only thing that Putin understands is a strong, viable alliance."

Biden's visit comes at a critical time, days after a tenuous international agreement was reached to de-escalate violence in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russia insurgents oppose the government in Kiev.

"You face very daunting problems and some might say humiliating threats that are taking place indirectly," Biden told the Ukrainian MPs.

Biden told the MPs a priority for the US is to help them become independent from Russian energy supplies. "Imagine where you'd be today if you were able to tell Russia, 'Keep your gas,"' Biden said. "It would be a very different world you'd be facing today."

The US vice-president said Ukraine had an historic chance now that former President Viktor Yanukovych has fled the country.

"This is a second opportunity to make good on the original promise made by the Orange Revolution," Biden said in a reference to 2004 protests that overturned a widely criticised election that had given Yanukovych the presidency.

Yanukovych later took office but left the country after violent protests in February.

"To be very blunt about it, and this is a delicate thing to say to a group of leaders in their house of parliament, but you have to fight the cancer of corruption that is endemic in your system right now," Biden said.

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Harley-Davidson 1Q earnings roar ahead

SHARES of Harley-Davidson have jumped almost 7 per cent in premarket trading after the company reported first-quarter earnings that were 18.7 per cent higher than a year ago.

The Milwaukee company said on Tuesday motorcycle sales grew 5.8 per cent worldwide and efficiency efforts took hold during the quarter. Its earnings topped Wall Street estimates.

That sent shares up nearly 7 per cent before the opening bell.

The company posted net income of $US265.9 million ($A285.99 million), up from $US224.1 million a year ago.

That's $US1.21 per share, compared with 99 cents in the first quarter of 2013. Analysts polled by FactSet expected earnings of $US1.07 per share.

Motorcycle and related products revenue rose 11 per cent to $US1.57 billion. Overall revenue including financial services rose to $US1.73 billion from $US1.57 billion.

Motorcycle sales grew 3 per cent in the US to 35,730 during the quarter despite a long, cold winter, CEO Keith Wandell said in a statement.

But international sales, especially in Asia, helped the first-quarter results. Harley said Asia-Pacific motorcycle sales rose more than 20 per cent to 7,178 for the quarter. In the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, sales were up 8 per cent to 9,940, while they rose 9 per cent in Latin America to 2,558.

The company said demand for its Project Rushmore motorcycles was high during the quarter, and it also started shipping the Harley-Davidson Street 750 and 500 models in selected markets.

"These motorcycles, together with continuous improvement in our operations at every level, underscore the momentum we've established as a customer-led company," Wandell's statement said.

Harley reiterated guidance of growing motorcycle shipments this year, up 7 per cent to 9 per cent to a range of 279,000 to 284,000. The company expects second-quarter shipments to rise 9 per cent to 15 per cent to a range of 92,000 to 97,000, up from 84,606 a year earlier.

Harley expects capital spending this year of $US215 million to $US235 million, the same as it estimated when it reported fourth-quarter earnings.

The company reported provisions for higher credit losses cut operating income for its financial services operation. That income was $US63.2 million, down almost 12 per cent from a year earlier.

Its shares rose $US4.51, or 6.7 per cent, to $US72.05 in premarket trading about 45 minutes ahead of the market open.

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Unilever says it will use less plastic per

UNILEVER PLC, the producer of countless disposable containers that clutter the landfills of the world, says it is adopting technology that will cut the amount of plastic it needs to use in each bottle by 15 per cent.

The technology, developed with Zotefoams PLC of Britain, injects tiny gas pockets into bottle walls, reducing the weight and amount of plastic used, without sacrificing robustness.

Unilever is introducing the technique first in its Dove body wash bottles, which - over the 33 million sold in Europe in 2013 - would mean a savings of 250 tonnes of plastic.

Spokesman Marc Potma said Tuesday the company will expand the technique to other product lines, then relinquish patent rights by 2015 so other companies that wish to employ the method can do so.

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Malaysia discusses aid for relatives

A SENIOR Malaysian official has met with relatives of people aboard a missing jetliner to discuss financial aid, as the search entered the 44th day without positive results.

Hamzah Zainuddin, deputy minister for foreign affairs, said the relatives present during the meeting on Sunday in the capital of Kuala Lumpur agreed to submit individual proposals for a financial assistance package.

"We touched on the topic of financial assistance in the meeting this morning, and (the relatives) have decided that they will propose a plan for financial assistance, which will be emailed to us as soon as possible," he said in a statement.

Hamzah, who also the chairman of a committee in charge of dealing with the next of kin, said his team has met with embassies of countries whose citizens were among those aboard the missing plane.

Hamzah said he assigned an emissary to meet with Chinese government officials, whose citizens comprised two-thirds of the 239 people aboard the missing plane, to discuss ways and means to assist the next of kin of passengers from China.

He added he would be going to Beijing soon to meet Chinese officials, to ensure that relations between Malaysia and China "will continue to be strong and unaffected by the MH370 issue".

The Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines jetliner went missing without a trace about an hour after it took off from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 8. Malaysia Airlines is a state-run company.

Prime Minister Najib Razak said the disappearance of the plane appeared to be a deliberate act and the aircraft was believed to have been lost in the Indian Ocean.

The Australian-led Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC), which coordinates the search operations, said on Sunday the submersible drone Bluefin-21 has completed its seventh underwater mission with "no contacts of interest have been found".

"Bluefin-21 has searched approximately 50 per cent of the focused underwater search area to date," the JACC said in a statement.

Aside from Bluefin-21, up to 11 military aircraft and 12 ships assisted in the search for the missing aircraft.

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NAB lags on business customer ratings

NATIONAL Australia Bank continues to lag behind its major rivals when it comes to business customer satisfaction, despite a slight improvement.

NAB, Australia's biggest business lender, had an average customer satisfaction rating of 7.0 out of 10 in March, which lagged behind ANZ, Commonwealth Bank and Westpac, which all scored 7.4.

But according to the monthly DBM Consultants Business Financial Services Monitor (BFSM), NAB has improved its standing among small and medium sized business.

DBM Consultants director Maria Claridad said the NAB ranked alongside the Commonwealth and Westpac in both categories, with ANZ lagging behind.

However, the bank's performance had been weighed down by its relatively weak standing among micro businesses.

"The key is to delight the micro businesses, as they make up close to 90 per cent of all Australian businesses," she said.

"NAB's score amongst these businesses is 6.9, although it has shown signs of improving in recent months."

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