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By Alan Baldwin MONACO (Reuters) - Words and hats may have to be eaten along with the usual canapes and caviar if Lewis Hamilton wins the glamour race of the Formula One season in Monaco this weekend. The sceptics who doubted McLaren's 2008 world champion would stand on top of the podium this season after his move to Mercedes face a moment of truth with Hamilton's team arriving in the Mediterranean principality on the back of three pole positions in a row. ...

REUTERS - The Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Draft Lottery and the top overall pick for the second time in three years on Tuesday. The Cavaliers were able to edge out the Orlando Magic, who had the highest probability of winning the top selection, as they continue to rebuild a franchise reeling from the loss of LeBron James following the 2009-10 campaign. "It's huge for us," Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert told reporters. "This is our third year in a row in the lottery. Hopefully it's our last for a long, long time. ...

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Sony Corp lowered its sales target for digital cameras to 1.3 trillion yen for the fiscal year to end-March 2015, from a previous estimate of 1.5 trillion yen. Sony also cut its sales target for smartphones and tablets to 1.5 trillion yen in its 2014 fiscal year from an earlier outlook of 1.8 trillion yen. ...

By Nick Macfie ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - China and Pakistan should make cooperation on power generation a priority, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said, as Islamabad seeks to end an energy crisis that triggers power cuts of up to 20 hours a day, bringing the economy to a near standstill. Li arrived in the Pakistan capital on Wednesday on the second leg of his first official trip since taking office in March after a visit to Pakistan's and China's arch rival, India. Tight security included shutting down mobile phone networks across the city. ...

BEIJING (Reuters) - A court in the city of Chongqing has charged six people with working together to blackmail government officials by recording videos of them having sex, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday. The six were charged with extortion on Monday, Xinhua said, citing a statement from judicial authorities in Chongqing, where they are slated to be tried. Investigators said the group "lured officials into having sex with women and secretly recorded their encounters to blackmail them from 2008 to 2009", Xinhua said. ...

Reuters Markete Eye - The BSE Sensex gains 0.39 percent, while the broader Nifty is up 0.4 percent. Asian stocks rose on Wednesday following a positive lead from Wall Street. Technology companies gain as recent falls in the rupee are making the sector more attractive, although a U.S. immigration bill seen hurting the sector remains an uncertainty. The rupee hits a fresh near six-month low in opening trades. A U.S. ...

Reuters Market Eye - Morgan Stanley resumes coverage of United Spirits Ltd with an "overweight" rating and a target price of 3,115 rupees. The investment bank says new owner Diageo Plc could implement a greater focus on profitable growth for the liquor maker. Morgan Stanley says United Spirits could also focus on the "prestige" liquor segment, improving margins. The bank also expects capital efficiencies, reduced leverage, strengthened leadership, and consistent disclosures to boost United Spirits' shares. As of 11.07 a.m., United Spirits shares were up 4.2 percent at 2,507 rupees. ...

By Masayuki Kitano and Vidya Ranganathan SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Asian stocks rose on Wednesday following a positive lead from Wall Street, with Japan's Nikkei reaching a fresh 5-1/2 year high and clinging to its gains as the Bank of Japan stood pat after unleashing massive stimulus last month. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.1 percent, reversing some of Tuesday's 0.4 percent decline. The South Korean market climbed 0.8 percent. Tokyo's Nikkei gained 1.2 percent, breaking above 15,500 for the first time in over five years. ...

By Ju-min Park and Ben Blanchard SEOUL/BEIJING (Reuters) - North Korea sent one of its top military officials as a "special envoy" from its leader Kim Jong-un to Beijing on Wednesday, accompanied by a high-powered delegation in what appeared to be a bid to mend frayed relations with its most important ally. The delegation led by Choe Ryong-hae, vice chairman of the country's top military body, was the most senior to visit China since Kim's kingmaker uncle Jang Song-thaek made the trip in August 2012. ...

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's inflation probably eased to a near three-year low in April as government measures to rein in car prices took effect, giving authorities more flexibility to deal with an economy that is struggling to grow. According to the consensus estimate of economists polled by Reuters, the city-state's consumer price index (CPI) likely rose by 3.1 percent last month from a year ago, the smallest gain since prices rose by the same quantum in July 2010. ...

By Andrea Burzynski NEW YORK (Reuters) - Country singer Kellie Pickler won the 16th season of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" on Tuesday night, winning over judges and TV audiences with her graceful style and high-jumping jives with partner and professional dancer Derek Hough. Pickler, who first grabbed attention as a contestant on "American Idol" in 2006, screeched and jumped up and down when she learned she had won. "This is amazing! Oh, my God!" she exclaimed, before fellow finalist and NFL player Jacoby Jones hoisted her on his shoulders to celebrate. ...

By Maxim Duncan BEIJING (Reuters) - Dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei made his first foray into the musical world on Wednesday with the release of the top single from his debut album, a song called "Dumbass" that takes inspiration from his detention in 2011. The video for the heavy metal song, which was directed by Ai with cinematography by acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Doyle, depicts Ai's 81 days in secretive detention in 2011, which sparked an international outcry. "There was one thing I thought was interesting. ...

REUTERS - Claims of match-fixing in a Malaysian league fixture will be investigated by the country's Football Association (FAM) and sports minister on Thursday, local media reported, with the police urged to protect players from bookmakers. The second tier Malaysian Premier League match between Kuala Lumpur and Sime Darby was under suspicion, local daily The Star reported. The paper said banners were seen at the Cheras Stadium in the Malaysian capital with the message 'Bookie detected'. Sime Darby won the match 5-0. ...

Islamabad, May 22 (IANS) Li Keqiang left India for Pakistan Wednesday, the second stop of his first overseas trip as China's premier. Xinhua described the Islamabad-Beijing ties as an "all-weather strategic partnership".

Mumbai, May 22 (IANS) Punit Pathak, last seen in Remo D'Souza's dance film "ABCD - AnyBody Can Dance", is set for the sequel. The actor-choreographer says part two of the film, which is now in the scripting stage, will be a "notch higher".

Miami, May 22 (IANS/EFE) Paulina Rubio will join the panel of judges for the popular Fox television show "The X Factor" next season, the Mexican singer's representative announced Tuesday.

Chennai, May 22 (IANS) Despite an unsuccessful Telugu debut, southern actress Neelam Upadhyaya managed to find a strong foothold in the industry. She credits luck for her success and says it is vital to survive in the competitive industry.

Rio de Janeiro, May 22 (IANS/EFE) Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer said Tuesday it reached a deal to sell 40 E175 passenger jets to US airline SkyWest for nearly $1.7 billion.

Chennai, May 22 (IANS) Ace Telugu filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli has rubbished rumours that he is acting in his upcoming directorial venture "Bahubali", a period-drama.

Cannes (France), May 22 (IANS/EFE) Michael Douglas wept here Tuesday as he recounted how director Steven Soderbergh waited for the Oscar-winning actor to recover from throat cancer so he could star as flamboyant pianist Liberace in "Behind the Candelabra".

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) "Dabangg" fame actress Sonakshi Sinha is the new face of Vatika Enriched Coconut Hair Oil. She says oiling her hair with the product helps her battle the styling aids and chemicals she has to use on her tresses as part of her profession.

Mumbai, May 22 (IANS) Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt was early Wednesday quietly shifted from Arthur Road jail to Pune's high-security Yerwada Central Jail, officials said.

Madrid, May 22 (IANS/EFE) Design and fine arts students from Spain's Universidad Francisco opened a show Tuesday at Madrid's Museo del Traje that showcases their talents.

Ghaziabad, May 22 (IANS) A businessman and six members of his family, including his three grandchildren, were found killed in their house in a densely populated locality here Wednesday, police said.

Seoul, May 22 (IANS) An Indian film festival, where hugely popular Bollywood movies like "Lage Raho Munnabhai" will be screened, is to be held here to commemorate the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and South Korea.

Mexico City, May 22 (IANS/EFE) Mexican telecommunications giant America Movil says it has agreed to buy US mobile operator Start Wireless Group for an undisclosed amount.