Short Reads (Page 384)

short readsNov 19, 2013

New Google ad highlights complicated India-Pakistan relationship

The feel-good ad may be surprising to Western viewers, who are likely familiar with the two nations’ antagonistic relationship.
short readsNov 19, 2013

In Cheney sisters’ feud, Republicans side with Liz

Former Vice President Dick Cheney waded into a public dispute between his daughters on Monday, highlighting the debate in the Republican party over same-sex marriage. The dispute began when daughter Liz Cheney, who is running for a Wyoming Senate seat, said she would not change her position on same-sex marriage despite her sister Mary’s marriage […]
short readsNov 19, 2013

Gettysburg Address: Americans still find the Civil War relevant to today’s politics

Today is the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, his speech about a war that more than half of Americans say is still relevant to modern day U.S. politics.
short readsNov 18, 2013

Dow soars, but only about half of Americans will benefit

About half of all Americans own stocks, either directly or indirectly.
short readsNov 15, 2013

Chart of the Week: Inflation and unemployment through the decades

A look at 80+ years of economic history shows a complicated relationship between inflation and unemployment.
short readsNov 15, 2013

Texting while driving may be common, but it’s illegal in most states

Number of states that ban texting while driving.
short readsNov 15, 2013

The global consensus: Inequality is a major problem

One of the most striking findings from a recent Pew Research Center survey of general publics across the globe was the degree to which people see the gap between rich and poor as a major challenge. In 31 of 39 nations, half or more of those polled said inequality is a very big problem in their country.
short readsNov 14, 2013

The most narcissistic U.S. presidents

Forget Romeo and Juliet or Cleopatra and Marc Antony. At least when it comes to politics, one of the great love affairs of all time may have been between Lyndon Johnson and… himself.
short readsNov 14, 2013

Muslim holiday of Ashura brings into focus Shia-Sunni differences

Each year, millions of Shia pilgrims visit the shrine of one of their most revered figures – Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. While Ashura is sacred for all Muslims, it is especially important to Shias, illustrating some of the differences between Shia and Sunni Muslims.
short readsNov 14, 2013

Home values fell the most in biggest, most expensive metro areas

Number of 50 largest metro areas where median home values fell between 2007-09 and 2010-12.