Good morning all to another beautiful sunny day in London. All those that have a spare minute during the day, go and enjoy a coffee next to the Thames near the King’s campus to enjoy magnificent views on this day. Here are the headlines for today:

UK and Europe

Ukraine crisis: Russia to recognise rebel vote in Donetsk and Luhansk

Russia says it will recognise the results of controversial separatist elections in eastern Ukraine, which the rebels plan to hold on 2 November.Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said elections in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions “will be important to legitimise the authorities there”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29799614

68 percent of Brits say Afghan war was futile – poll
As Britain’s last remaining troops depart from Afghanistan, a poll indicates 68 percent of Britons think the UK’s military campaign there was not “worthwhile.” A further 42 percent of those surveyed believe Britain is “less safe” as a result of the war

http://rt.com/uk/199715-uk-afghanistan-campaign-futile/

David Cameron prepares to fight Brussels’ £1.7bn demand

David Cameron is bracing himself for a bruising showdown with Brussels after he hardened his stance in a £1.7bn budget row with the EU as the European commission threatened to retaliate by placing Britain’s multibillion pound EU budget rebate on the table

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/27/david-cameron-fight-brussels-demand

Sweden Cuts Interest Rate to Zero

Sweden’s central bank cut its main interest rate to zero on Tuesday, in an attempt to boost inflation, which has once again fallen below expectations.
The Riksbank lowered its main repurchase, or repo, rate from the previous level of 0.25%. The cut was larger than expected, with analysts polled by The Wall Street Journal forecasting a reduction to 0.05%.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/sweden-cuts-interest-rate-to-zero-1414486236

A third of the world wants to work in Germany
Germany is the number one non-English speaking destination for migrant workers, according to a global study. But which nationalities are keenest on Germany and where do Germans want work?

http://www.thelocal.de/20141027/who-wants-to-work-in-germany

Asia

Hong Kong activists mark one month of ‘Umbrella Movement’

Hong Kong democracy activists on Tuesday (Oct 28) marked one month of mass protests, calling on supporters to gather for an evening rally wearing the masks they have used to ward off police tear gas and pepper spray.Organisers striving to inject new momentum into the movement told crowds to gather at the main protest camp opposite the city’s government headquarters for commemorations starting with an 87-second silence at 5.57pm.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/hong-kong-activists-mark/1439190.html

Chinese VP meets with Japanese governor delegation

China’s vice president met Tuesday with a delegation of governors from Japan amid strained bilateral ties, a rare high-level meeting that points to Japan’s hopes of a summit between the two countries’ leaders at a regional conference next month

http://news.yahoo.com/chinese-vp-meets-japanese-governors-group-073130798.html

Malaysia’s Anwar makes final appeal in sodomy case

Malaysia’s top court on Tuesday began hearing a final appeal filed by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim against a sodomy conviction widely regarded as a means to neutralize the threat he poses to the country’s ruling coalition.

http://news.yahoo.com/malaysias-anwar-makes-final-appeal-sodomy-case-014153186.html

Asia next growth centre for Islamic financing, says Sultan Nazrin

Asia, in particular East Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia, is expected to be the next growth centre for Islamic financing, asset creation and asset management services.
Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah said these areas could send Islamic investment services soaring to the next level based on Asia’s unparalleled rates of wealth creation.

http://www.nst.com.my/node/46962

Africa and Middle East

Ethiopia torturing ‘opposition’ ethnic group
Ethiopia has “ruthlessly targeted” and tortured its largest ethnic group for perceived opposition to the government, Amnesty International said in a damning report Tuesday
http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/AI-Ethiopia-torturing-opposition-ethnic-group-20141028

Monsters in suits: Ebola’s traumatic effect on children

At least 5 000 children in Guinea have been directly affected by Ebola, which as orphaned about 1 000 of them. The deadly virus that prohibits human touch has traumatised them on a psycho-social as well as medical level

http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Monsters-in-suits-Ebolas-traumatic-effect-on-children-20141028

Rwanda: FDLR Has Two Months to Disarm – Monusco Chief

Military action is inevitable if the January 2, 2015, deadline for voluntary disarmament and surrender of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia elapses with the group still defiant, a top UN official reiterated yesterday

http://allafrica.com/stories/201410280476.html

Does ISIS Have Access to Chemical Weapons in Iraq and Syria?

Graphic images and witness accounts have led to claims that the ISIS terror group has gained access to chemical weapons and is using them against Kurdish fighters in Syria and government forces in Iraq.

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/does-isis-have-access-chemical-weapons-iraq-syria-n234871

Under Israeli Apartheid, Palestinians Cannot Ride Israeli Buses

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon has officially banned Palestinians from traveling on Israeli-run public transportation in the West Bank, according to a new report by Haaretz, Israel’s most prominent newspaper

http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/10/28/under-israeli-apartheid-palestinians-cannot-ride-israeli-buses/?

Americas

Washington school shooter texted lunch table invites to victims.

The five victims in last week’s shooting at a Washington high school were invited to the same lunch table by the shooter.”It’s our understanding he (invited them) via texting,” Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary told reporters Monday.Witnesses say Jaylen Fryberg, a popular freshman, opened fire Friday in the crowded lunchroom at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, about 34 miles north of Seattle.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/27/us/washington-school-shooting/index.html?hpt=us_c1

FBI reportedly raids home of ‘Second Snowden’

Federal authorities in the United States have reportedly set their sights on a government contractor suspected of being the source responsible for leaking documents in the aftermath of the unauthorized disclosures attributed to Edward Snowden

http://rt.com/usa/199895-second-snowden-intercept-watchlist/

Is Latin America’s ‘Pink Tide’ Ebbing?

Many in Official Washington still consider Latin America their “backyard,” a place where U.S. interests rule and where leftist and reformist governments have historically faced “regime change” tactics. But the region has finally broken from U.S. control and isn’t ready to go back, reports Andrés Cala.

Is Latin America’s ‘Pink Tide’ Ebbing?

Brazil elections: Dilma Rousseff promises reform after poll win

President Dilma Rousseff has promised to re-unite Brazil after narrowly winning re-election to a second term in office with 51.6% of the vote.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-29782073