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 addtional articles, graphics, and teacher's edition, please click here.)

SPECIAL FEATURE

World Affairs Annual 2005-2006. Twenty-four pages of maps, charts, and snapshot graphs, with information on 193 countries.

FEATURES

INTERNATIONAL
Progress and challenges on the road to democracy and reconstruction.

ENVIRONMENT
The Arctic's summer ice cap is shrinking. Is global warming to blame?

DEPARTMENTS

NEWS & TRENDS
Easy-listening for newborns, Muslim burgers, American-style weddings in Japan, and more.

DEBATE
Should faith-based charities receive federal funding?