Polls close and counting is under way in the referendum to decide whether Scotland should stay in the UK or become an independent country.

France's President Hollande says he is ready to launch air strikes to help Iraqi forces fighting the Islamic State group.

The UN Security Council declares the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a threat to international peace and security.

The US Senate passes a bill authorising a plan to train and arm Syrian rebel groups to fight Islamic State (IS) militants.

Supposedly-elite NHS foundation trusts in England are running up an overall deficit for the first time, the regulator is expected to say later.

President Obama says Congress's backing for his $500m plan to aid moderate Syrian rebels shows the world the US is united against Islamic State.

Liberal Democrat MP Mike Hancock, who had faced allegations he sexually assaulted a constituent, resigns from the party.

President Barack Obama has given his support to the visiting Petro Poroshenko, describing himself as a "strong friend" to Ukraine's leader.