5 things you need to know Thursday

Scottish citizens decide the future of an independent Scotland

Voters Thursday will choose whether Scotland continues its union with England or forge into full independence, potentially becoming the 31st country formed since World War II. Leaders of the United Kingdom's three main political parties traveled to Scotland on Sept. 10 to persuade Scottish voters to remain in a 307-year union with England amid a surge in separatist support. Voting will close at 5 p.m. ET with a decision expected to arrive early Friday morning.

Senate to vote on the training and arming of Syrian fighters

Following a Wednesday vote in the House to authorize President Obama's mission to arm and train Syrian rebel forces, the question will reach Senate on Thursday before the president can sign it into action. Lawmakers across the political spectrum have expressed doubts about the scope and merits of the mission but conceded that the potential threat to the U.S. is too great to ignore. If approved by the Senate, it will be in Obama's hands to complete the authorization, which does not include a financial allocation or the approval for a presidential declaration of war.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko meets with Obama, addresses joint session of Congress

The Ukrainian president will be in Washington on Thursday seeking military and economic assistance from the United States. He will address a joint session of Congress in the morning before meeting with President Obama -- a largely symbolic get-together designed to show Russia and the world that the U.S. backs Ukraine.

Alleged Islamic State recruiter due in court

Mufid Elfgeeh, 30, became the first person to be indicted in the United States on charges of recruiting people for the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. He also is accused of trying to buy firearms and silencers to kill returning American troops. Elfgeeh is scheduled to be arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Feldman. Elfgeeh's attorney, Assistant Federal Public Defender Mark Hosken, said this week that Elfgeeh will plead not guilty.

Want Olympic gold? Here's the easiest way to get it

Fourteen gold, silver and bronze Olympic winners' medals will go on the block Thursday in a live sale conducted by RR Auction in Boston. While athletes sacrifice blood, sweat and years for a medal, the cost to purchase one is not as clear as you'd expect from recent high-profile sales. At the auction, medals dating back to 1908 in London will go on sale to the public.

And, the essentials:

Weather: Most of the weather action Thursday will be in the western half of the country while the East stays mostly pleasant and dry.

Stocks: Stock futures were mixed Thursday ahead of the start of regular trading.

TV Tonight: What to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at The Roosevelts and Sleepy Hollow.

If you missed Wednesday's news, we've got you covered here.

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Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard, David Jackson, USA TODAY