News Headlines - 07 June 2014

▽IMF sounds alarm on UK house prices but changes its tune on austerity | The Guardian

The International Monetary Fund has warned that a housing bubble could derail the UK's economic recovery, as it urged the government to consider reining in the Help to Buy scheme and called on the Bank of England to clamp down on risky mortgages.
The IMF also ended its row with George Osborne over austerity by describing the chancellor's deficit reduction plan as "appropriate" in its annual review of the British economy. Christine Lagarde, the IMF's managing director, admitted that the organisation had underestimated the strength of the UK's economic recovery and predicted that it would continue for the next few years.

▽Huge Russia-China gas deal still leaves door open to Japan | Reuters

In clinching a $400 billion deal last month to buy Russian gas, China may end up helping out its old political and economic rival in a way that matters hugely for Japan - energy security.
The China-Russia agreement, the biggest gas deal ever, unlocks new gas supplies and could bring down gas prices across Asia, a development that would pay the biggest dividends for Japan, the world's top buyer of liquefied natural gas.
Other big Asian gas buyers such as South Korea and Taiwan could also benefit.

▽Yes vote 'within Scotland's grasp' - The Star

Independence is "well within Scotland's grasp" following a poll which shows 46% of voters in favour of leaving the UK, according to the SNP.
Two-fifths of Scots (40%) said they hope Scotland will vote for independence against 47% who want Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom (UK), a poll by Populous for the Financial Times found.

▽Vodafone reveals that governments are collecting personal data without limits - The Washington Post

Britain’s Vodafone revealed Friday that several governments are collecting surveillance data directly from its networks without any legal review and publicly urged more safeguards against such unfettered access to the private communications of its customers.
The declarations, made by the world’s second-largest cellular carrier, show that the type of access to telecommunications networks enjoyed by the U.S. National Security Agency also occurs in other countries where legal protections almost certainly are lower. Vodafone’s networks span much of Europe and parts of Africa and Asia.

▽British motorists pay among highest petrol pump prices in Europe | Mail Online

British motorists are being 'ripped off' at the pumps and paying up to 43p a litre more than drivers on the Continent for their fuel, a damning new report reveals today.
UK motorists are being fleeced by some the highest pump prices in Europe as even drivers in neighbouring France pay 29p a litre less for their diesel compared to Britain.
Motoring groups say garages are ‘profiteering’ by dragging their feet and failing to pass on the benefits of falling wholesale prices of up to 6p a litre for diesel alone.