Editor's note

The llama has had a rollercoaster of a history. From Incan beast of burden to near extinction at the hands of the Spanish conquistadors, the camelid has made a roaring comeback in the last couple of centuries and can now be found globally, fulfilling extraordinarily diverse roles, from golf caddy to sheepdog to comforting the sick. Helen Cowie explains how the llama, unlike so many other animals, has been able to thrive in a globalised world.

For a moment, it looked as though Donald Trump couldn’t possibly make the situation in Charlottesville any worse. Then, in a heated press conference, he again seemed to defend the cause of the white nationalists who clashed with counter-protestors last weekend. The violence was sparked by a dispute over a statue commemorating Confederate general Robert E Lee. Jenny Woodley explains the history of this controversial monument and the central role such emblems play in race relations in the US.

Meanwhile, a new study in Scotland shows that installing webcams in neonatal units is proving successful in helping new parents bond with their premature babies, despite a lack of physical contact. As well as providing peace of mind, webcams are reducing stress in parents and helping mothers in their recovery.

Josephine Lethbridge

Interdisciplinary Editor

Top story

Rhys Mitchell / Shutterstock

How llamas conquered the world

Helen Cowie, University of York

They survived the pressures of globalisation and now thrive internationally.

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