An annotated first edition of HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE is set to go up for sale to raise money for charity.

The book, the first in the magical series, features handwritten thoughts and commentary from author J.K. Rowling, alongside 22 hand-drawn illustrations of Potter and Albus Dumbledore, the Express reported.

The novel will be one of the star lots going under the hammer alongside editions of Bridget Jones's Diary and Northern Lights, which include annotations from authors Helen Fielding and Philip Pullman respectively. A copy of Roald Dahl's Matilda containing original drawings by illustrator Quentin Blake will also be auctioned at Sotheby's in London on Tuesday.

Meeting was held at AzPromo with the Brazilian delegation led by Secretary General of Ministry of External Relations, Ambassador Hadil da Rocha, the Ministry of Economic Development told APA-Economics.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development Niyazi Safarov gave information about economic success of the country, favorable business and investment climate, large-scale regional projects which the country took part in. To him, relations between Azerbaijan and Brazil have been established on the principles of mutual friendship and partnership. He noted the significance of mutual visits in development of bilateral relations.

In turn, Hadil da Rocha noted that Azerbaijan-Brazil relations had developed. He expressed sureness about that mutual effective cooperation would be expanded in future.

Head of Azpromo Rufat Mammadov spoke about activity of the organization: 'Azpromo will provide support to Brazilian businessmen in our country.

China will provide free military aid to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

APA reports that the aid will be provided under the agreement signed between Azerbaijani and Chinese defense ministries on January 21.

According to the agreement, China will disinterestedly provide 3 million yuan worth military property to Azerbaijan. The concrete types and amount of the property will be confirmed through an extra protocol between the sides.

The agreement has been signed by military attacheacute; of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in China, first Captain Nurulla Aliyev and deputy chief of the Foreign Affairs Office, China's Defense Ministry Chi Quovey.

Chinese Defense Ministry provided 6 million yuan worth free military property (about $ 951 067) to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces under the protocol signed between the countries in 2011.

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy have been named in connection with post-election violence in a long-awaited report investigating human rights abuses in the country.

According to BBC, the report gave no recommendation for action to be taken against Mr Kenyatta and Vice-President William Ruto.

The report's chairman told the BBC this was because they already face charges at the International Criminal Court.

Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto deny such allegations.

The Truth Reconciliation and Justice Commission (TRJC) was set up following deadly post-election clashes five years ago.

After those elections some 1,500 people were killed and more than 600,000 forced to flee their homes.

Its mandate was to investigate and recommend appropriate action on human rights abuses committed between Kenyan independence in December 1963 and the end of February 2008 - including politically motivated violence, assassinations, corruption and land disputes.

Call for apologies

Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto, who were on opposite sides in 2007, won elections together in March.

The BBC's Wanyama wa Chebusiri in the capital, Nairobi, says that although no action is recommended by the TRJC against the president and deputy, it does recommend further investigation and prosecution of high-profile personalities in their administration over allegations of inciting and the violence following the 2007 elections.

They include Najib Balala, the new minister for mining, and two senators.

The TJRC report also recommends that its own chairman Bethuel Kiplagat face further investigation over the Wagalla massacre in 1984, when he was serving as permanent secretary in the foreign affairs ministry in former President Daniel arap Moi's administration.

The Wagalla massacre was the result of an effort to disarm ethnic Somali clans in the north-east of the country. The government said that only 57 people were killed but survivors say close to 5,000 people died.

The TJRC suggests that President Kenyatta offer a public and unconditional apology to all Kenyans for gross human rights violations since independence within the next six months.

State security agencies should also apologise especially for acts of extra-judicial killings, arbitrary and prolonged detention, torture and sexual violence, it says.

"The prime minister of Canada had to apologise to the Indians'¦ the other day the prime minister of Australia apologised [for historical injustices]," Mr Kiplagat told the BBC's Newsday programme.

"There is something useful in that apology," he said.

"Although I wasn't involved during the 2007-2008 [crisis]'¦ I say I apologise for what has happened as a leader of this nation something has gone wrong."

The four-volume report also calls on the UK authorities to offer a public and unconditional apology for wrongs committed during colonial times.

Both Nairobi and London should enter into negotiations within the next 12 months with a view to seeking compensation for victims of injustices under British rule, it recommends.

Recent unstable weather didnв't leave Azerbaijanв's agriculture without damage, said Minister of Agriculture Ismat Abasov, APA-Economics reports.

To him, some parts of Northern and lowland regions suffered damage from recent heavy rains: 'It wouldnв't be right to say a concrete number connected with the inflicted damage. But I think that our farmers, as well as all persons engaged in this sphere must not lose courage. All necessary measures for collecting harvest in time without losses will be takenв'.

As to the issue on compensation, Abasov noted that the state is not going to pay compensation to the farmers. The minister thinks that there is not such practice in any part of the world. If farmers are insured, the compensation must be paid by the insurance companies.

German software company SAP says it hopes to recruit hundreds of people with autism, saying they have a unique talent for information technology.

The firm said that by 2020, 1% of its global workforce of 65,000 employees would be people with autism, BBC reported.

Autism is a developmental disorder that can cause problems with social interaction and physical behaviour.

However, some people with the condition are highly intelligent and have a keen attention to detail.

SAP executive Luisa Delgado said the company believed that "innovation comes from the edges".

She added: "Only by employing people who think differently and spark innovation will SAP be prepared to handle the challenges of the 21st Century."

SAP has already hired six people with autism at its office in Bangalore, India, where they work as software testers.

The firm said its productivity had increased as a result of their efforts, and it now plans to take on more such staff in other countries.

The recruitment drive is being undertaken in partnership with Specialisterne, a Danish social organisation that helps people with autism find work with information technology companies.

Autistic spectrum disorders, including Asperger's syndrome, are thought to affect about 1% of the population worldwide.

Currently, there are 3 million people under the age of 18 in Azerbaijan, said Head of UNICEF Baku Office Mark Hereward at todayв's round table at Azerbaijani Parliament, APA reports.

Hereward said that this figure is very important for the country, people of this generation are very sensitive and their rights should be kept under the constant attention. He said that violation of childrenв's rights will have a negative impact on their lives in the future.

UNICEF official said that international conventions put on everyone the responsibility to participate in the provision of children's rights: "However, in some cases, the rights of children are not taken into account during the debates on human rights."

A glass microscope slide with a trace of the late Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi's blood is among an array of memorabilia due to be sold at auction Tuesday in England.

A pair of shabby leather sandals once worn by Gandhi, renowned for his doctrine of nonviolent protest and adherence to an ascetic lifestyle, is also going under the hammer, CNN reported.

The slide was donated by Gandhi when he was convalescing after an operation for appendicitis in 1924, according to Mullock's auction house.

The sandals come from a house at Juhu Beach, in Maharashtra, western India, where Gandhi lived from 1917 to 1934, the auction listing says. They have a guide price of 10,000 to 15,000 British pounds.

Another lot from the same house features a handwoven linen shawl "made from thread which Gandhi spun himself," according to the auction house.

Photographs, paintings and audio recordings of Gandhi are also up for sale, as well as personal documents and household items belonging to the former leader.

The documents include a two-page will, handwritten "in a neat secretarial hand" in Gujarati and signed by Gandhi, the auction house said. It is expected to fetch 30,000 to 40,000 pounds.

The independence leader, who was born Mohandas Gandhi in Gujarat in 1869, became known as Mahatma, or "great-souled," for his efforts toward social and political progress for his countrymen.

He was a key figure in the Indian National Congress and led the Indian nationalist movement against British rule, characterized by a campaign of civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance. India achieved independence in August 1947.

Gandhi was nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize -- in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947 and finally in January 1948, a few days before he was assassinated -- but was never awarded it. No peace prize was given in 1948.

Turkish Minister of National Education Nabi AvcД± has today visited Qafqaz University to meet its rector Ahmet Sanic.

Mr. Sanic highlighted the University`s achievements, particularly what had been done to improve education system.

Mr. Avci stressed the role of education in the contemporary world.

The Azerbaijan Technical University and Turkish Anadolu University have inked an agreement on mutual cooperation.

The agreement was signed by rector of the Azerbaijan Technical University Havar Mammadov and rector of Anadolu University Davut Aydin.

The signing ceremony saw the rectors explore ways of developing cooperation between the two higher educational institutions.

Azerbaijani karate fighters have won a clutch of 14 medals, including 9 golds at the world championship in Ukraine.

Muhammad Allahverdiyev, Anar Soltanli, Umid Aliyev, Haji Mushfig, Royal Hajiyev, Elsevar Guliyev, Mushfig Abbasov, Teymur Guliyev and Aydin Dadashov climbed on to the winner`s rostrum.

Orkhan Safiyev, Emil Yolchuyev, Mehman Huseynov took silver medals, while Turan Teymurbayli won a bronze.

The Azerbaijani karate fighters also won two world belts out from three possible in a competition marking the 90th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev.

Azerbaijan ranked 3rd in the overall medal table of the championship.

The 45th General Meeting of the Intercable International Association has kicked off in Baku.

The four-day meeting includes a symposium on "Telecommunication cables - prospects of future development".

Addressing the opening ceremony, president of the Intercable International Association Izyaslav Peshkov said the meeting brought together representatives of 91 companies from 21 countries.

He praised Azerbaijan`s potential in non-oil field, and said the country has "huge and strong plants with state-of-art equipments".

Recalling his visits to the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial and High-Tech Park, he said the facility could be considered one of the hugest technological parks in Europe.

Azerbaijani deputy Minister of Economic Development Niyazi Safarov highlighted development of the non-oil sector in the country.

President of Azerenerji, Azerbaijan`s largest energy company, Etibar Pirverdiyev said Cable Plant of the Sumgait Technologies Park, which was commissioned in 2009, is the biggest cable producing plant in the region.

Prior to the meeting, the participants visited the Alley of Honors to lay a wreath at the tomb of national leader, founder and architect of the modern Azerbaijani state Heydar Aliyev.

They also put flowers at the grave of prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva. The participants then visited the Alley of Martyrs to commemorate Azerbaijani heroes who gave their lives for the country`s independence and territorial integrity, and laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.

Azerbaijan and Georgia have explored ways of developing cooperation in tackling emergency situations.

The discussions took place in Baku as Minister of Emergency Situations Kamaladdin Heydarov met Georgian Minister of Internal Affairs Irakli Gharibashvili.

Heydarov praised the relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia. The Minister stressed the importance of expanding cooperation between the two countries` emergency situations authorities.

He highlighted the Ministry`s work to deal with emergency situations in the country.

Georgian Minister Gharibashvil hailed the Azerbaijan-Georgia relationship.

The two ministers also discussed a draft agreement on cooperation between the governments of Azerbaijan and Georgia in the field of reduction, management and prevention of emergency situations.

Azerbaijan and Brazil have discussed the drawing up of a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation as deputy Agriculture Minister Aslan Aslanov met Fontes da Rocha Vianna, Undersecretary-General for Cooperation, Culture and Trade Promotion at the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations.

They explored prospects for developing the cooperation between the two countries` agricultural authorities.

Aslanov hailed the Azerbaijan-Brazil relations as friendly, praising the role of national leader Heydar Aliyev in establishing the bilateral ties.

He said President Ilham Aliyev successfully continues this policy today.

Minister Aslanov highlighted Azerbaijan`s achievements in the field of agriculture.

A Japanese crew visited Azerbaijan from May 17 to 21 to prepare a first guide book of Azerbaijan in Japanese as part of "Discover Azerbaijan" project under an agreement between Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Ishii Brothers' Co. Inc (IBC).

Apart from Baku, the Japanese delegation visited Naftalan, Shaki, Ismayilli and Gabala districts.

Judel Jay Tabsing of Panabo National High School won fourth place in the plant sciences division of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for developing a possible fungicide for the dreaded "banana blight". Banana blight is caused by a particular type of fungus that quickly spreads from plant to plant, potentially wiping out an entire country's supply of bananas. In the 1950s, the blight spread through central America from Panama -hence the term, "Panama Disease".

"From Philippines, Judel Jay Tabsing from Panabo National High School won fourth award in the plant sciences: agriculture and agronomy category and awarded $500.00 for his project entitled lsquo;impatiens balsamina leaf extract as potential fungicide against fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race four causing fusarium wilt of banana,'" Intel said. The tilt is the world's largest high school science research competition. Tabsing was one of some 1,600 young scientists chosen to compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. This year's scientists were chosen from 433 affiliate fairs in more than 70 countries, regions and territories. Romanian Ionut Budisteanu, 19, received the Gordon E. Moore Award, a $75,000 prize for using artificial intelligence to build a low-cost, eslf-driving car. Kionut noted that in 2004, car accidents caused 2.5 million deaths worldwide. He aims to address this with a $4,000 system that uses 3-D radar and mounted cameras.

Meanwhile, Eesha Khare, 18, of Saratoga, Calif. received the Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award of $50,000, for developing a tiny charger that fits inside cell phone batteries and charges them in 20 to 30 seconds. Khare's invention has potential applications for car batteries, Intel said.

Henry Lin, 17, of Shreveport, La. also received the Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award of $50,000 for By simulating thousands of clusters of galaxies and allowing a better understanding of astrophysics, including dark matter, dark energy and the balance of heating and cooling in the universe's most massive objects. "We support the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair because we believe that science and math are the foundation of innovation, which is imperative for global economic growth and advancing society," said Wendy Hawkins, executive director of the Intel Foundation. Hawkins added the competition seeks to encourage millions of students worldwide to "explore their passion for math and science while developing solutions for global challenges."

Vision in humans is achieved by two single-lens eyes and works well for fine discrimination of objects. Most other members of the animal kingdom, however, rely on compound eyesmdash;where each eye has multiple lenses. Such eyes don't provide the degree of clarity of single-lens eyes, but they do offer a larger field of view and quick response times to movement. Scientists looking to replicate the nearly instant response times of flies and other insects as well as their ability to see most of the world around them (without having to turn their heads) have been trying to create artificial compound eyes. While there has been much progress made by many researchers in this area, there have remained two sticking points: creating the eyes of the right size and with an accurate wrapping design. In this new effort, the Swiss team appears to have made significant progress in both areas.

In insects, the eye surface is made up of a mosaic of very small optical units known collectively as the ommatidia. To create a tiny artificial compound eye, the researchers set out to duplicate the ommatidia of fruit flies and other arthropod species. Their version consists of three layers: an outer layer of lenses, a middle layer of light sensors, and an inner layer circuit board made flexible by using a stacked cut design. The result, which the team calls the CurvACE, is an artificial compound eye with a 180 degree field of view and that is small enough to sit on a nickel.

The CurvACE operates at 150 frames per second and is able to operate in either high- or low-light environments. The next step for researchers will be embedding the eye (likely as a pair) in tiny flying robots. The team notes that their new technology may have other applications as well. They suggest "smart clothes" as one example, which could change shape as a person moves to improve comfort. Another potential application would be as security sensors or even as a means for providing texture recognition for artificial skin.