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.)

FEATURES

COVER STORY
At great risk, a million Mexicans try to cross into the United States each year.

NATIONAL
Class is less important in America than it was, but it still plays a role.

TIMES PAST
How the 1991 Persian Gulf War left Saddam Hussein in power and set the stage for the current war in Iraq.

DEPARTMENTS

NEWS & TRENDS
Goats in trees; exploring gossip; an ancient Cup-O-Noodles; and more

DEBATE
Should the government fund stem-cell research?

SOCIETY
The controversy over Indian mascots in sports

OPINION
Excerpts from New York Times columnists

CARTOONS
Some lighter looks at what's in the news