French stocks rose on Thursday as China exports data for April exceeded expectations and bleak U.S. data released overnight prompted calls for more government spending.

U.K. stocks advanced on Thursday as the Bank of England maintained its key interest rate and refrained from unveiling additional quantitative easing, despite the coronavirus pandemic taking its toll on the economy.

European stocks rose on Thursday as China exports data for April exceeded expectations and bleak U.S. data released overnight prompted calls for more government spending.

European markets closed on a strong note on Thursday as investors reacted positively to the latest data from China that showed an unexpected increase in the country's exports last month, and amid continued optimism about reopening of businesses in several parts across the globe.

The Switzerland stock market ended higher on Thursday, in line with markets across Europe, reacting to news about gradual reopening of businesses across the continent and in several states in America.

European stocks are likely to open higher on Tuesday as Italy finally eased lockdown restrictions with strict guidelines after two months.

German stocks were rising on Tuesday after several countries across Europe and the Middle East eased lockdown restrictions.

French stocks rallied on Tuesday after Italy, Spain and France have all recorded their lowest daily spike in fatalities to date.

U.K. stocks rose sharply on Tuesday as several countries tentatively eased restrictions on movement in a bid to revive global economies.

European markets ended with strong gains on Tuesday despite weak economic data, as investors made positive moves reacting to news that several countries across Europe have lifted restrictions that were in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite data showing consumer confidence in the country hitting a historic low, the Switzerland stock market ended on a firm note on Tuesday, as several countries across Europe relaxed shutdown restrictions and reopened some businesses.

European stocks are likely to open a tad lower on Wednesday after sharp gains in the previous session on optimism over phased easing of coronavirus restrictions by some countries.

German stocks edged lower in cautious trade on Wednesday as the latest batch of earnings proved to be a mixed bag and U.S. President Donald Trump again took aim at China, urging the country to be transparent about the origins of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

French stocks were moving lower on Wednesday as European business data disappointed and several Federal Reserve officials warned of more damage to the economy from the coronavirus.

U.K. stocks were moving higher on Wednesday ahead of the Bank of England's decision on interest rates and QE, as well as updated economic forecasts tomorrow.

European stocks were mixed in cautious trade on Wednesday as European business data disappointed and several Federal Reserve officials warned of more damage to the economy from the coronavirus.

The Switzerland stock market ended higher on Wednesday, bucking the weak trend seen across Europe.

Trade groups expect the British government to roll out new coronavirus travel restrictions on Sunday, including a quarantine for out-of-country arrivals. And they're already pushing back publicly.

NPR's Scott Simon talks to baseball legend Andre Dawson, a Hall-of-Fame member and National League MVP for the Chicago Cubs, about his second career as a Miami funeral director.

NPR's Scott Simon remembers Rose Liberto, a nurse at Atrium Health North East Hospital in Charlotte, N.C., who died of COVID-19. She was 64.

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with author Amy Jo Burns about her debut novel, "Shiner," set in the West Virginia mountains.

NPR's Scott Simon talks to U.K. broadcaster Johnnie Walker about Ronan O'Rahilly, the founder of the pirate Radio Caroline, who died on April 20 at the age of 79.

NPR's Scott Simon talks with economist William Rodgers about the spiraling U.S. job losses due to the pandemic. The unemployment rate is now the worst since the Great Depression.

A team of scientists at Oregon State University are trying to measure the true prevalence of the coronavirus in Corvallis, Ore., by taking a random sample of the population.

People across the country dedicated 2.23 miles to show solidarity for Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot and killed on Feb. 23 while jogging in Georgia. Two men have been charged with murdering Arbery.

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Caitlin Flanagan about her new piece in The Atlantic called "I Thought Stage IV Cancer Was Bad Enough."

Government regulators in the Philippines ordered the major broadcaster ABS-CBN off the air. Critics worry the shutdown stifles an important source of information in the age of the coronavirus.

With social distancing, many people are speaking less and their voices sound raggedy. NPR's Scott Simon talks with speech pathologist Sandy Hirsch, about keeping the voice sounding as it should.

Christine Maccarone of New Jersey styles hair in nursing homes and hospitals. She's worried about her business surviving the state lockdown, and the well-being of her elderly clients.

Cornhole is making a comeback on ESPN. And NASCAR is slated to return to TV, but questions still remain about football, baseball, basketball and football.

Many people stuck at home are interested in adopting a dog. Rescue groups and shelters want them to really consider if they can still commit to being a dog owner after they return to the workplace.

Alice Wu's new movie, "The Half of It," is a play on Cyrano de Bergerac with an LGBTQ twist. NPR's Scott Simon speaks to the director.

NPR's Scott Simon tells a tale of two piping plovers, endangered birds who've returned to Chicago to pair up and possibly raise another family of chicks.

Read the latest on US Economic News, World Economic News and more on RTTNews Economic News.

The Taiwan stock market has climbed higher in three straight sessions, gathering more than 120 points or 1.1 percent along the way. The Taiwan Stock Exchange now rests just above the 10,840-point plateau and it's looking at another green light for Friday's trade.

The China stock market on Thursday snapped the three-day winning streak in which it had advanced almost 70 points or 2.5 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index now rests just above the 2,870-point plateau although it figures to rebound on Friday.

The Hong Kong stock market on Thursday snapped the two-day winning streak in which it had gathered more than 520 points or 2.2 percent. The Hang Seng Index now sits just above the 23,980-point plateau and it's called to open higher on Friday.

The Australian stock market is advancing on Friday after two days of losses following the positive cues overnight from Wall Street on upbeat corporate earnings results amid continued optimism about easing COVID-19 restrictions.

Ahead of Thursday's holiday for Vesak Day, the Indonesia stock market had finished lower in two of three trading days since the end of the four-day winning streak in which it had advanced more than 220 points or 4.9 percent. The Jakarta Composite Index now sits just beneath the 4,610-point plateau and it's likely to remain rangebound again on Friday.

The Japanese stock market is rising on Friday following the overnight gains on Wall Street on upbeat corporate earnings results and continued optimism about easing COVID-19 restrictions. Investors shrugged off data that showed Japan's services sector continued to contract in April.

The Thai stock market has finished lower in back-to-back sessions, surrendering more than 40 points or 3.1 percent along the way. The Stock Exchange of Thailand now rests just beneath the 1,260-point plateau although it may find traction on Friday.

Indian shares may open higher on Friday, mirroring positive global cues after several U.S. companies posted better-than-expected earnings overnight and the Bank of England kept the door open for more stimulus next month.

Asian stock markets are higher on Friday following the positive cues overnight from Wall Street on upbeat corporate earnings results and continued optimism about easing COVID-19 restrictions. A continued decrease in the number of new jobless claims in the U.S. also boosted sentiment. Investors now look ahead to the release of the U.S. jobs data for April later today.

Indian shares opened on an upbeat note Friday, tracking Wall Street gains as a

Asian stocks moved mostly higher on Friday as trade-war fears receded and investors awaited the latest U.S. jobs report to gauge the economic impact of the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

Positive global cues helped Indian shares push higher on Friday, though markets ended off their day's highs after Moody's Investors Service revised downward its growth projection for India to 0 percent for FY21 and cautioned that the country's sovereign rating could be downgraded if its fiscal metrics weaken materially.

The China stock market had climbed higher in three straight sessions, collecting almost 70 points or 2.5 percent in that span. The Shanghai Composite Index now rests just beneath the 2,880-point plateau although investors may cash in on Thursday.

The Hong Kong stock market has moved higher in back-to-back sessions, advancing more than 520 points or 2.2 percent along the way. The Hang Seng Index now sits just beneath the 24,140-point plateau although it may run out of steam on Thursday.

The Australian stock market is modestly lower on Thursday, extending losses from the previous session following the mixed cues overnight from Wall Street and the fall in commodity prices. Data showing that Australia's services sector continued to struggle in April due to pandemic-related closures and restricted activity also dampened sentiment.

Ahead of Wednesday's holiday for Wisakha Bucha Day, the Thai stock market had snapped the four-day winning streak in which it had accelerated almost 45 points or 3.4 percent. The Stock Exchange of Thailand now rests just beneath the 1,280-point plateau and it may extend its losses on Thursday.