Sydney: An Indian-origin MP from the Australian state of New South Wales on Tuesday becomes the first politician to be sworn in to Australian parliament on the Hindu religious text, the Bhagavadgita. Daniel Mookhey, 32, was chosen by the Australian Labour Party to fill the casual vacancy created by Steve Whan's unsuccessful tilt at a Lower House seat in the March election, ABC reported. IANS
Cameron holds first all-Tory Cabinet meeting
London: Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday chaired Britain's first all-Conservative Cabinet meeting in nearly two decades after his surprise victory in general election. Cameron, who led the Tories to a majority in the House of Commons in last week's general election, also set the tone for the party which has traditionally been associated with the upper classes. PTI
Neel Mukherjee wins £10,000 UK literary award
London: Kolkata-born writer Neel Mukherjee's "The Lives of Others" has won the UK's Encore Award for the best second novel. The £10,000 prize fills a niche in the catalogue of literary prizes by celebrating the achievement of outstanding second novels, often neglected in comparison to the attention given to promising first books. PTI
Picasso’s painting sells for record $179.4 million
New York: A vibrant, multi-hued painting from Pablo Picasso set a world record for artwork at auction, selling for $179.4 million and a sculpture by Alberto Giacometti set a record for most expensive sculpture, at $141.3 million. Picasso’s “Women of Algiers (Version O)" was among dozens of masterpieces from the 20th century Christie's offered in a curated sale. AP