Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 17 Sep 2014

1. SCOTS REFERENDUM: FINAL CAMPAIGN PUSH

Both campaigns in the Scottish independence referendum are making their final push today ahead of tomorrow’s vote. While the latest polls still show No in the lead, the BBC says the result is “too close to call”. Armed forces chiefs have warned against a No vote - as has former US president Bill Clinton.

2. OBAMA: EBOLA CRISIS IS OUT OF CONTROL

Barack Obama has warned the ebola crisis in West Africa is a “potential threat to global security” as he sends 3,000 troops to the region to help keep order. He said the outbreak - which has killed 2,500 in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea this year - is “spiralling out of control, it’s getting worse”.

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Ebola: US suit stockpile causes shortage in Africa

3. POLICE QUESTION UK MAN ON THAI MURDERS

Police in Thailand are questioning a British man over the murders of UK holidaymakers David Miller, 24 and Hannah Witheridge, 23. It is thought the man was a friend of Miller’s. He has not been arrested but police have asked him to remain in the county while they await the results of a DNA test.

Anonymous hacks Thai police websites over death sentences

4. RICHARD III KILLED BY TWO BLOWS TO HEAD

Scientists who have analysed the remains of King Richard III, found under a Leicester car park, say the most likely cause of death was two blows to the head. The monarch appears not to have been wearing a helmet and was struck a total of nine times. A lack of injuries to his arms and hands suggest he had armour on.

King Richard III's violent end revealed by scientists

5. UN BROKERS DEAL FOR GAZA REBUILDING

The UN has brokered a deal between Israelis and Palestinians to allow reconstruction work to begin in the Gaza Strip, giving prominent roles to both the Palestinian Authority and the private sector. Middle East envoy Robert Serry said the deal enables building work to begin immediately.

6. UKRAINE REBELS UN-MOVED BY NEW LAWS

A pro-Russian rebel in east Ukraine has told the BBC he and his men will not be swayed by a new law granting self-rule to parts of the east of the country written by Ukraine after negotiations with Russia and rebel commanders. Andrei Purgin said he would not agree to a federal relationship with Ukraine.

Ukraine: Russian troops and tanks cross border, Nato says

7. NASA PICKS SPACE VEHICLE DESIGN FIRMS

Nasa has chosen two companies to develop a new crew capsule to take astronauts into space and back. Up to $6.2bn will be given to Boeing and SpaceX to do the work. Currently the US relies on flying in Russian Soyuz vehicles to get to the International Space Station - but tensions in Ukraine make this unattractive.

8. LEONARD COHEN: NO OPINION ON SCOTLAND

Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen last night refused to take up a position on Scottish independence, saying he did not feel “compelled to take a stand” but adding “people are … engaged in a struggle for self-respect and significance”. He was asked by a Spanish journalist at a press conference in London.

9. VILLAGE POISED TO BECOME CENTRE OF UK

The Ordnance Survey has worked out that a field near a tiny village in Shropshire, High Ercall, will become the exact centre of the UK, if Scotland votes to leave the Union in tomorrow’s referendum. With Scotland still involved, the geographical centre is a point somewhere in Morecambe Bay.

10. HOT TICKET: ZIGZAG AT VICTORIA MIRO

A new exhibition of the work of cult American photographer Francesca Woodman, Zigzag, has opened at Victoria Miro Mayfair. The show focuses on the influences of abstract art and geometric compositions in the artist's ethereal black and white photographs. "A revelation," says the Daily Telegraph. Until 4 October.

Francesca Woodman – reviews of 'irresistible' photo show

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