EDINBURGH: The campaign for Scottish independence continues to gain ground against its pro-union rival, two surveys showed yesterday, as pollsters near consensus that the race is getting ever-tighter ahead of the September referendum. A record 43 percent back the campaign for independence, according to the latest poll by Panelbase, up two points from May, with the percentage against dropping one point to 46 percent. The Panelbase poll of 1,060 voters, commissioned by the “Yes” campaign, found that once undecideds were excluded, support for secession grew to 48 percent, with 52 percent against. In ICM’s latest poll, support for separation improved by 2 points to 36 percent while those rejecting independence fell by three points to 43 percent. Scotland votes on September 18 on whether to end its 307-year union with England and leave the United Kingdom. Polls have consistently shown the pro-union “No” campaign in the lead, but five of the six major pollsters have found the gap between the two sides is narrowing. Earlier this month, Ipsos-Mori and Survation both found the “Yes” vote closer than ever to overtaking the “No” campaign.
Six dead in Newark house fire
NEW JERSEY: A fast-moving fire ripped through a single-family home in New Jersey’s largest city early yesterday, killing six people, authorities said. The blaze broke out at the three-story residence at around 4am in Newark, the Essex County Prosecutor’s office said. The fire soon spread to another residence, and both homes were destroyed. The fire doesn’t appear to be suspicious, but the cause remains under investigation, said Thomas Fennelly, chief assistant prosecutor. Everyone in the second home managed to escape safely, he said.
Mali armed groups agree to talks
ALGIERS: Three armed groups from northern Mali announced in Algiers yesterday that they have agreed to begin talks with the Bamako government aimed at resolving long-standing disputes. The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), the High Council for the Unity of Azawad (HCUA) and the Arab Movement of Azawad (MAA) had signed the “Algiers Declaration”, demanding “inclusive” peace and political talks in their troubled country. Agencies
