Short Reads

For both individuals and nations, greater literacy is linked to greater income.

The number of Americans who said reducing the deficit was a top public priority rose 19 points between 2009 and 2013.

The annual Muslim hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca is underway, and more than a million pilgrims already have entered Saudi Arabia from abroad. These are five important facts about the hajj.

Sentiment about GOP leaders has shifted among the Republican rank-and-file since last month, with Tea party Republican more approving of the leaders, while non-Tea Party Republicans are less approving.

A top Mormon leader recently made headlines this week when he acknowledged that past actions by church leaders may have contributed to doubts about church teachings. About one-in-five (22%) church memberssay they find some of the church’s teachings hard to believe.

While many polls show that, in general, a majority of Americans want to see compromise in Washington, support for compromise drops when they are asked about specific tradeoffs.

A Gallup poll finds 33% of Americans cite dissatisfaction with government and elected representatives as the nation's top issue.

The Obama administration reportedly is planning to curb U.S. military aid to Egypt, a move that many Americans would support, according to a Pew Research poll conducted in August.

A study using a novel research method raises questions.

Just 18% of Republicans believe their leaders are paying too much attention to the Tea Party.