The Virginia General Assembly unanimously elected Democrat Don Scott as house speaker on Wednesday, making him the first Black speaker in the Virginia House of Delegates' history. Del. Scott approached the podium to cheers and a standing ovation as he took the oath of office and began his term as the leader of the House. "My first immediate emotion is just gratitude. I'm very grateful," said Scott, tearing up as he thanked his 88 year old mother and his wife, watching from the gallery.

UK newsSchizophrenic knifeman whose illness was dismissed as side-effect of drug takingThe background: Harrison attackOn a chilly day last December, a tall man with long, unkempt hair and staring eyes armed himself with a knife and set off on a mission. Michael Abram believed he was St Michael and had been ordered by God to kill George Harrison. He thought the former Beatle was a witch, a "phantom menace" who was possessing him.

The ObserverPublishingLast year, all of literature’s big prizes went to small publishers. In a risk‑averse climate, edgy debuts and ‘tricky-to-sell’ foreign titles have found a home at the likes of Fitzcarraldo Editions and Sort Of Books – and the gamble has paid off A quiet revolution is afoot in British publishing. Earlier this year, when American Psycho author Bret Easton Ellis brought out his latest bestseller, The Shards, the book came to UK readers not from his usual publisher, Picador – his home for nearly four decades – but from a small independent company, Swift Press, a freelance-powered outfit so light on overheads it doesn’t even have an office.

Squero di San Trovaso, one of just two surviving squeri in Venice (see point 4 below). Photograph: Sarah Lee Photograph: Sarah Lee/GuardianSquero di San Trovaso, one of just two surviving squeri in Venice (see point 4 below). Photograph: Sarah Lee Photograph: Sarah Lee/GuardianCity neighbourhoods in a dayVenice holidaysHop over the Grand Canal to Dorsoduro and you’ll get a flavour of the ‘real Venice’ without the crowds of San Marco and for a fraction of the cost

Document Launch Doc Michael Phelps tied the knot with Nicole Johnson months ago, but they kept it under wraps ... TMZ Sports has learned. We've learned the couple has been married since June 13th. The ceremony went down in Paradise Valley, AZ, where they just moved. It was officiated by Peter Carlisle, Michael's agent and longtime friend. Michael and Nicole got the marriage license June 9th and filed the Record of Marriage June 15th.