Only a few genetic changes were enough to change an ordinary stomach bug into the bacteria responsible for the plague. Source: The Biology of the Plague | Quanta Magazine

Considered a maniac by many, in reality the North Korean dictator is a leader firmly in control, and with a plan for survival Source: In the court of Kim Jong-un: a ruthless, bellicose despot, but not mad

Nobel laureate issues heartfelt letter to fellow peace prize winner calling for her to speak up for Rohingya in Myanmar Source: Desmond Tutu condemns Aung San Suu Kyi: ‘Silence is too high a price’

Brazil has the broken, corrupt leaders that reflect the character of its elite oligarchical class. But the tragedy for the nation’s poor seems endless. Source: Brazil’s Corrupt Congress Protects its Bribe-Drenched President, Finalizing Elites’ Two-Year Plot

At the recent far-right rally in Charlottesville, white nationalists shouted slogans in support of the Syrian dictator. Source: Why White Nationalists Love Bashar al-Assad

A Times reporter travels to Raqqa, the wounded heart of the Islamic State, and finds residents trapped by airstrikes, artillery fire and land mines. Source: The Last Days of ISIS’ Capital: Airstrikes if You Stay, Land Mines if You Flee

In Trump’s America, the Independent senator is fighting to win back the heartland for Democrats. Source: Bernie Sanders’s Campaign Isn’t Over

Scaramucci has been removed from his post at the White House just over a week after his appointment, following a series of turbulent media appearances Source: Trump removes Anthony Scaramucci as White House communications director

Judging by his Twitter comments, Trump is proud of having turned the U.S. into an international pariah. Source: Donald Trump Is Dragging Down America