In this most unusual coming-of-age story, the boy Jesus becomes a man amid the ordinary and extra-ordinary people of his youth. He is twelve years' old, learning the family trade, in the small Judean town of Nazareth. He is not an ordinary youngster, but he lives a normal life as the eldest child in a bustling family. But even in rural Judea, the times are becoming more unsettled. Roman invaders, highway robbers, extortionate tax collectors, rabble-rousing zealots, and a religion that seems to have lost touch with the people, all threaten his world. On his family's visit to Jerusalem for the...

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people apply for asylum in Europe, North America, and Australia. Some fear political persecution and genocide; some are escaping civil war or environmental catastrophe; others flee poverty, crime, or domestic violence. Who should qualify for asylum? Traditionally, asylum has been reserved for the targets of government persecution, but many believe that its scope should be widened to protect others exposed to serious harm. Matthew Price argues for retaining asylum's focus on persecution even as other types of refugee aid are expanded and offers a framework...

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people apply for asylum in Europe, North America, and Australia. Some fear political persecution and genocide; some are escaping civil war or environmental catastrophe; others flee poverty, crime, or domestic violence. Who should qualify for asylum? Traditionally, asylum has been reserved for the targets of government persecution, but many believe that its scope should be widened to protect others exposed to serious harm. Matthew Price argues for retaining asylum's focus on persecution even as other types of refugee aid are expanded and offers a framework...

Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is an emerging technology for thromboembolic prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The first human implantation of an LAA device occurred in 2001, and since then four devices have received CE mark approval. These devices are being widely used in Europe for LAA closure in patients who are poor candidates for long-term oral anticoagulation. In the US, the WATCHMAN device (Boston Scientific) is anticipated to receive FDA approval imminently for AF patients who are warfarin-eligible. This approval is projected to significantly...