Great Weekend Reads

Uruguay passed a law that legalized abortion, Cubans replaced their odious 'exit permits' with legitimate passports, and Mitt Romney's "binders full of women" comment went viral.

No matter how you cut it, it's been a big week for the world. Here's a sampling of the most important stories from GlobalPost and a look at some of the news you may have missed.

Election 2012: Of human binders
All the fuss over Mitt Romney's latest misstatement about "women in binders" obscures more serious issues for women in the campaign.

Uruguay approves abortion law
The country is set to become one of the few Latin American countries to legalize abortion. So why aren't women's rights activists celebrating?

America the Gutted: Wisconsin Public Radio Interview
Audio: GlobalPost Editor Thomas Mucha and Senior Correspondent for Southeast Asia Patrick Winn spend an hour with Public Radio discussing GP's 10-month reporting project on the middle class.

The Drone Age: Israel grapples with blowback from booming drone industry
One of the world's largest producers of drones is now a target of copycat technology.

Merkel's mommy subsidy is a step back for German women
Commentary: Paying women to provide child care at home is discouraging women from working.

Planet Pic: Europe welcomes autumn
Photos: Autumn has settled across Europe, bringing with it traditional festivals and nature's colors and rhythms. 

Obama and Romney: Why all the China-bashing?
China has often been a political punching bag during the US presidential campaign, but has it gone too far this time?

With new travel rules, most Cubans are free to go. Will they return?
Since Cubans won't need an "exit permit" anymore — just a passport — to leave the island, many expect a flood of visa applications at foreign embassies once the policy takes effect. 

Independence vote divides Scotland
As nationalists play on historical pride, Scots fret about their future.

Obama on Daily Show, defends Libya response to Jon Stewart
Ahead of the final presidential debate, President Barack Obama defends his response to embassy attack on the Daily Show.