A 1997 first edition of "Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone" annotated by J.K. Rowling sold for £150,000 ($227,000, 176,000 euros) at a London auction Tuesday, a new record for a printed book by the writer. Two bidders battled it out for the work before the hammer finally came down, triggering a round of applause at the Sotheby's auction house. The book contains commentary and 22 of Rowling's own original illustrations.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said Wednesday he was proud MPs had voted to back gay marriage but admitted the debate has been divisive and said his focus would now be on economic matters. The Conservative leader offered an olive branch to party activists opposed to the same-sex marriage bill by promising there would be no more laws on social issues before the next election in 2015. "If you are saying to me, 'Is this the first of many other issues like that?', no it isn't," Cameron told BBC radio, the day after the bill cleared a crucial parliamentary hurdle.

A 1997 first edition of "Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone" annotated by J.K. Rowling sold for £150,000 ($227,000, 176,000 euros) at a London auction Tuesday, a new record for a printed book by the writer. Two bidders battled it out for the work before the hammer finally came down, triggering a round of applause at the Sotheby's auction house. The book contains commentary and 22 of Rowling's own original illustrations. The lot formed part of a sale of books annotated by 50 British and Commonwealth contemporary writers, raising a combined total of £439,200.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pop singer Kelly Rowland and Mexican singer-actress Paulina Rubio have signed onto "The X Factor" judging panel replacing Britney Spears and music mogul L.A. Reid, the Fox television talent competition produced by Simon Cowell said on Monday. Rowland, who rose to fame with R&B group Destiny's Child, and Rubio will be charged with re-igniting the Fox series that failed to stave off falling ratings after giving Spears a reported $15 million salary last year.