The major U.S. index futures are pointing to a higher open on Wednesday, with stocks likely to extend the upward move seen over the course of the two previous sessions.

Canadian security regulators halted trading in shares of iAnthus Capital Holdings Inc. on Wednesday for nearly four hours amid reports about the cannabis company's difficult financial situation.

The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned of a second wave of the novel coronavirus in the next winter, which, according to him, is likely to be even more devastating than the one that is raging across the globe. "We're going to have the flu epidemic and the coronavirus epidemic at the same time," CDC Director Robert Redfield said in an interview with The Washington Po

Omura, a California-based marijuana and hemp flower vaporizer company, said that Bruce Linton, the former CEO and founder of Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth Corp., has participated in the company's latest fundraising round. Linton has also joined Omura as strategic advisor.

While reporting financial results for the second quarter on Friday, life science company Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (VIVO) raised its adjusted earnings and revenue guidance for the full year 2020, despite the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the unprecedented demand for its Life Science products.

Shares of Roku Inc. (ROKU) are currently slipping over more 6% on Friday morning after the video streaming platform shared a downbeat outlook for ad revenues going forward.

While reporting financial results for the first quarter on Thursday, power company AES Corp. (AES) lowered its adjusted earnings guidance for the full-year 2020, due to the COVID-19-related economic slowdown.

Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER) reported a first quarter loss per share of $1.70 compared to a loss of $2.26, previous year. On average, 31 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report a loss per share of $0.83, for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Net loss attributable to Uber Technologies, Inc. excluding the impairment write-downs, net of the tax benefit would have been $1.1 billion. Adjusted EBITDA was negative at $612 million, up $257 million year-over-year.

Production of N95 masks has increased, but health care workers now say there's a shortage of gowns as the two protective gears are competing for the same materials.

When SUNY Plattsburgh professor Jeremy Grabbe's 7-year-old triplets complained about not getting out because of social distancing, he enlisted their help in writing up a study.

European stocks are likely to open higher on Friday after a statement by the

German stocks rose notably on Friday, with positive news regarding the U.S.-China trade talks and moves to ease lockdown measures and reopen economies around the world helping support underlying sentiment.

French stocks rose on Friday after reports suggested that trade negotiators from the United States and China will hold a phone call as early as next week to assess progress in implementing a Phase 1 trade deal signed in January.

European stocks were moving higher on Friday after U.S. and Chinese trade representatives reportedly held a phone call and pledged to create favorable conditions for the implementation of the phase one trade deal signed in January.

European markets ended sharply lower on Monday as an escalation in U.S.-China tensions over the origin of the coronavirus outbreak hurt sentiment and triggered heavy selling across the board.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Indian shares opened lower on Wednesday as investors react to the latest developments related to earnings and the coronavirus crisis.

Foreign trade data from Germany is due on Friday, headlining a light day for the European economic news. At 2.00 am ET, Destatis is scheduled to issue Germany's external trade figures for March. Exports are forecast to fall 5 percent on month, in contrast to an increase of 1.3 percent in February. Imports are expected to drop 4 percent.

Austria's trade deficit decreased in February, as exports and imports declined, data from the Statistics Austria showed on Friday.

Taiwan's trade surplus decreased in April as exports declined more than expected amid rising imports, figures from the Ministry of Finance showed on Friday.

Portugal's foreign trade narrowed in March from a year ago amid declines in both exports and imports, figures from Statistics Portugal showed on Friday.

Lithuania trade deficit decreased in March, as exports and imports declined, figures from the statistical office showed on Friday.

Finland's trade deficit widened in March with exports falling more than imports, preliminary figures from the Finnish Customs showed on Friday.