Euro zone is expected to show a rise in the unemployment rate to 7.7% from 7.3% in April. U.S. crude futures traded 1.2% higher at $40.30 a barrel. The international benchmark Brent contract rose 1.3% to $42.58. Gold futures were largely flat at $1,780.25/oz. GBP/USD has just emerged above 1.25, up 0.25% on a day EUR/USD picks up pace and approaches 1.1300 Dollar on the defensive in early European trade Thursday.