EUROPEAN HEADLINES

FT – UK forex inquiry comes under US pressure. The integrity of a Bank of England inquiry is in question as prosecutors in the US probe what the central bank knew about traders’ behaviour in the foreign-exchange market.

WSJE – Eurozone GDP Growth Accelerates, Boosted by France, Italy. A return to expansion in France and Italy helped boost eurozone economic growth in the first three months of 2015 to its fastest pace in nearly two years, raising hopes that an uneven recovery is finally broadening in long-stagnant Europe.

INYT – Vatican to Recognize Palestinian State in New Treaty.  The Vatican announced Wednesday that it would soon sign a treaty that includes recognition of the “state of Palestine,” lending significant symbolic weight to an intensifying Palestinian push for international support for sovereignty that bypasses the paralyzed negotiations with Israel.

FRANCE

Le Monde – Burundi : uncertainty in the aftermath of the attempted coup. Violent and localized fighting between loyalist forces and soldiers coup in Bujumbura.

Les Echos – Migration policy: Brussels presents an ambitious programme. The European Commission has presented a plan to impose a more cohesive migration policy between Member States.

GERMANY 

Frankfurter Allgemeine – The old clientele comes first. Greece threatens no money. Negotiations with creditors still running slow . The left section of the government is more and more single-minded .

Sueddeutsche Zeitung – Just don’t get caught. A tactical handling of facts is legitimate in politics – to a certain degree . But as the farce about the supposed no- Spy Agreement demonstrates: In political Berlin falsehood is now regarded as a minor offence.

ITALY

La Repubblica – Migrants , Alfano : ” Ready to lead International police action “.

Il Sole 24 Ore –  Yield on BTPs rises at auction but investors’ appetite for long-dated Italian bonds is not fading away. Sell in May, buy 30-year BTPs and EFSF bonds, and go away . The long end of the yield curve has been under incredible pressure lately in the euro area, with prices falling sharply and yields shooting up. Bond markets in Europe and the U.S. have taken a heavy beating since late April. However investors’ appetite for extra-long maturities does not seem to be over yet, as 30-year BTPs and EFSF bonds were easily placed yesterday.

SPAIN

El Pais – Andalusian parliament votes against Susana Díaz investiture for third time. The Socialist politician did not secure a majority at recent regional elections. Deputies from the PP, Podemos, Ciudadanos and United Left came up with 62 nos

UK

The Times – Bank of England governor wants referendum sooner rather than later. The governor of the Bank of England called today for David Cameron to bring forward his promised in-out EU referendum to give business leaders much-needed “clarity” about the future. Mark Carney said that businesses were continuing to invest and hire despite the political uncertainty of the election period and the approach of a popular vote that could see the UK leave the European Union.

The Guardian – EU poll should take place ‘as soon as necessary’, says Bank of England chief. Mark Carney says prospect of referendum is stoking business uncertainty, which could hurt economy if firms put off investment plans.