Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 18 Sep 2014

1. QUEUES AT POLLS IN SCOTS REFERENDUM

Voters began queuing to vote in the Scottish independence referendum this morning before polls opened at 7am, with a historically high turn-out expected after 97% of the electorate - or 4,285,323 people - registered. The polls will close at 10pm and a result is expected early on Friday morning.

Scottish independence final result: No voters keep Scotland in the UK

2. EBOLA NURSE IN LIFE-SAVING TRIP TO USA

Will Pooley, the British nurse who was cured of the ebola virus in London after contracting it while working with victims in West Africa, has flown to the US to donate blood to try to help save the life of another victim. It is thought the two previously worked together in Sierra Leone.

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3. SYDNEY ACCUSED IN ‘PUBLIC DEATHS PLOT’

A 22-year-old man arrested today as part of the largest terror operation in Australian history has been charged with planning to “shock, horrify and potentially terrify” the country by carrying out public killings, in concert with an Australian man Mohammad Baryalei, who now lives in Syria as part of IS (Islamic State).

Australian police foil Islamic State 'beheading plot'

4. UK MUSLIMS CALL FOR ALAN HENNING RELEASE

More than 100 prominent British Muslims, including imams and organisations, have signed a joint letter to The Independent expressing their “horror and revulsion” at the “senseless murder” of British aid worker David Haines and demanding militants release Manchester taxi driver Alan Henning.

5. THAILAND MURDERS: STILL NO SUSPECTS

Police in Thailand say they still have not charged anyone formally over the deaths of British holidaymakers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, whose bodies were found on a beach in Koh Tao on Monday. They say there is no evidence incriminating two UK men who have been asked to stay in the country.

Anonymous hacks Thai police websites over death sentences

6. CRACK MAYOR FORD HAS RARE CANCER

The repentant mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, who last year admitted to smoking crack, has been diagnosed with a “rare and difficult” cancer which will require aggressive chemotherapy, his doctor has confirmed. The 45-year-old, who last week withdrew his bid for re-election, has been in hospital for a week.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ cancer

7. SCOTLAND’S OTHER VOTE: WOMEN IN GOLF

The ‘home of golf’, the Royal and Ancient club in St Andrews, Scotland, is carrying out a vote today to overturn centuries of tradition and allow women members. More than 2,400 members around the world have been issued with postal votes and urged by club secretary Peter Dawson to “do the right thing”.

8. BOMBERS TO FLY OVER DAMBUSTERS LAKE

The last two airworthy WWII Lancaster bombers, reunited in the UK briefly this year (one is based in Canada), will fly together over Derwent Reservoir in Derbyshire on Sunday at 4.45pm. The reservoir is where the ‘Dambuster’ raids on German reservoirs were practised, with a prototype bouncing bomb.

9. ARMSTRONG TO VOICE NEW DANGER MOUSE

Comic actor Alexander Armstrong is to be the new voice of revived cartoon character Danger Mouse, with comedian Kevin Eldon as his sidekick hamster, Penfold. Armstrong said the role, taking over from Sir David Jason, was a “dream job”. Eldon is filling the shoes of the late actor Terry Scott.

10. HOT TICKET: MING AT BRITISH MUSEUM

A new exhibition of Chinese art and artefacts, Ming: 50 Years that Changed China, opens today at the British Museum, London. It presents rare silk paintings, porcelain, gold and silverware, weapons and costumes from 15th century Ming dynasty China. “Magnificent,” says the Daily Telegraph. Until 4 January.

Ming: 50 Years that Changed China – exhibition reviews