Welcome to the online edition of The New York Times Upfront, where you'll find a selection of articles from our print edition. (For information on subscribing to the print edition, with all its additional articles, graphics, and teacher's edition, please click here.)

FEATURES

COVER STORY

Election 2008: Obama vs. McCain
What's at stake on November 4

INTERNATIONAL

China's Cheerleaders
China's policies have many critics, but its youth are not among them.

Growing Up Saudi
In Saudi Arabia's strict Islamic culture, the sexes are completely segregated.

NATIONAL

'Election Speak'
What all the election jargon the media uses really means

Crude Awakening
Has the bill for America's addiction to foreign oil finally arrived?

The Death Penalty
After a break, executions have resumed, along with the debate on capital punishment itself.

TIMES PAST

1959: Cuban Revolution
Fifty years later, is Cuba headed for another, better revolution?

DEPARTMENTS

NEWS & TRENDS
Japan on a diet, wrestling your way through college, what killed Napoleon, and more

DEBATE
Do illegal immigrants help or hurt the U.S. economy?

OPINION
Times columnist Nicholas Kristof on how Americans can really help Africa

CARTOONS
Some lighter looks at what's in the news