One of the questions that I am often asked is, "How can I spot a genuine antique?" and my answer is usually the same, "well, it takes years of practice and dedication, as well as a willingness to rely on your gut instinct, as to whether something is a good buy or not".

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Guest post by Soni In a parallel universe, perhaps, Diaspora Kenyans would've registered to vote for this year's General Elections. On a related note, in a parallel universe, ICC suspects would not be running for positions of power and certain governor-hopefuls would be in prison, but that is not my focus today. There's no denying [...]

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When a publisher hands you your first contract it can be a heady experience. You are finally going to have a published book with your name on the cover. You are over the moon and so thankful to the publisher who is giving you your chance finally. You look at the thick document and you're positive the publisher has your best interests at heart, she's been so lovely throughout the whole process, and there really is no reason to waste your time reading all of the fine print. So you sign and initial and date and you get your copy and throw it in the corner on top of your exercise books from form two and the Cosmos you've been stacking up for five years for a reason that has yet to make itself clear. You forget about it. All you want is to see is your novel with your name on the cover.

Everything in this scenario is wrong. The first and foremost thing for a writer to keep in mind at all times is that the publisher is part of a money making enterprise. The less they can give to you the writer the better. It doesn't mean they are nasty or cheating, they're actually doing their job, trying to make money for the business that employs them. The only one in that little group that cares about the writer is the writer. If the writer relinquishes that duty, no one will be doing it for them. If you remember nothing else remember that ...

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The Colorado Senate's Judiciary Committee advanced a bill to authorize civil unions Wednesday, on a 3-2 vote. The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee. All three committee Democrats voted in favor, the two Republicans voted no. A similar bill passed the Democratic-controlled Colorado Senate last year, but died after then-House Speaker Frank McNulty [...]

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Anthony Mackie joins the cast of one of at least three films in the works about the life of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Titled The Fifth Estate, and to be directed by Dreamgirls/Twilight director Bill Condon, from a script by The West Wing's Josh Singer, which begun shooting this week, boasts Brit actor Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead as Assange. Rounding out the strong cast are Laura Linney, David Thewlis and Peter Capaldi. No word on what role exactly Mackie will play, but the film will reportedly focus on the early days of the WikiLeaks through Assange's meteoric rise into the public sphere, and is based on 2...

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Currently screening at the Royal Cinema in Toronto since last Friday is Christy Garland's documentary The Bastard Sings the Sweetest Song, which revolves around a family from Georgetown, Guyana in South America. The family's matriarch, 75-year old Mary, is an alcoholic in denial. She's also a talented poet who once set out to write a book of poems. The documentary takes its time to reveal what has caused Mary to become dependent on alcohol. One can assume is perhaps out of boredom, or because of her forgone dream of becoming a published author. After all, Mary has a loving family, which includes three other daughters and several grandchildren. Why couldn't she...

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Fareed Zakaria speaks with the New York Times' India Ink: How do you impose short-term pain for long-term gain? This is the great challenge for the United States economy. There are things the United States has to do, whether it's a cumbersome tax code or reform of entitlements in pension and health care. Instead, we [...]

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By Ibrahim Sharqieh, Special to CNN Editor's note: Ibrahim Sharqieh is deputy director of the Brookings Institution's Doha Center. The views expressed are the writer's own. We are now set for a third term for Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu. And, although Netanyahu's Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu coalition seems to have underperformed expectations, a plurality of the vote [...]

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While I may have initially supported Arsenal, Brighton and Hove Albion is the club that helped me fall back in love with the game. And that's why I'll be wanting them to win this weekend.

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Next week, Liberia will host a meeting to help establish a bold yet practical vision for global development cooperation after 2015. The world must seize the opportunity to embrace an agenda that addresses the vicious cycle of conflict and poverty that undermines economic and social development.

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South Africa's form has been dismal for a while now. Elliot concluded here that "they're rubbish" in only the second post on Football is a Country. Johannesburg-based football writer Njabulo Ngidi basically confirmed as much in a preview for us of Bafana Bafana's chances. After the aimless goalless draw against Cape Verde on opening day, [...]

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High profile, violent killings have taken place in northern Nigeria at the same time as the French intervention in Mali....

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