What the world is reading

In his opinion piece,Alexandar Keyssar points out that the US 2012 general election campaign is likely to be a fight for every last vote,which means that it will also be a fight over who gets to cast one. The Harvard professor says that partisan skirmishing over election procedures is a major problem. The centrepiece of this effort has been a national campaign to require voters to present particular photo ID documents at the polls, he says. He points out that such moves ought to be understood as the latest chapter in a not always uplifting story. He adds,Americans of both parties Republicans and Democrats have sometimes rejected democratic values or preferred partisan advantage to fair democratic processes. Acknowledging the realities of our history should lead all of us to be profoundly sceptical of laws that burden,or impede,the exercise of what Lyndon B Johnson called the basic right,without which all others are meaningless. A survey of world events over the last 20 years makes plain that democracies are fragile,that democratic institutions can be undermined from within. And the US is no exception.

Cricinfo.com

What England can learn from Pakistan

Alex Bowden,in What England can learn from Pakistan,says to start with England can take lessons in parenting,screaming and not quite being there. He says England should get a coach with dad-like qualities. Bowden feels England coach Andy Flower is more of an elder brother than a father figure which Pakistan has in coach Mohsin Khan. He feels England needs someone stern and critical. Andrew Strauss tries to maintain an air of aloof detachment,but it is affected and unconvincing. England should immediately offer the captaincy to Ravi Bopara, he adds.

The Guardian

David Cameron aims for the stars but fails to shine

In her column,Gaby Hinsliff says the British PM David Cameron must take a leaf out of Alex Salmonds book. She says Salmond has approval ratings rivals would kill for,a reputation for being always one step ahead of his enemies,and a relentless focusqualities that,after the last week,Cameron might wish to observe at close quarters. Now hes about to get the chance,as the coalition opens talks with Alex Salmond over the forthcoming referendum on Scottish independence,Hinsliff says.

Sydney Morning Herald

Gillards crafty side

In an interesting piece for the column,The Diary,Matt Buchanan and Scott Ellis reveal that Australian PM Julia Gillard,apart from running the country,likes to knit. We know this because the PM has apparently presented the Finance Minister,Penny Wong,and her partner,Sophie Allouache,with a small brown woollen cardiganwhich she knittedfor the baby daughter they welcomed into the world late last year. They add that Womans Weekly editor in chief,Helen McCabe said on Twitter the Weekly would be running the pattern for the cardigan!