A long-standing hypothesis suggests the BCG vaccine also serves to generally enhance the immune system, meaning it could protect against covid-19, and trials are under way to find out

The BCG tuberculosis vaccine boosts the production of immune cells and this may explain how it protects newborns from dying of sepsis

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
U/A: Animation, Action, Adventure
Director: Dean DeBlois
Cast: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Rating: 

The much-awaited Hiccup and Toothless' return to the big screen may not be as scintillating and effortless as the first two editions but it's certainly no slouch in terms of form and technique. The cutesy appeal of the ameliorating animation craft adds to the poignancy developed on the unlikely pairing of a rare Night Fury dragon with a brave young Viking. This CG animated feature that finds its inspiration in Cressida Cowell's children's books, is as vividly artistic as its predecessors and culminates in an emotionally resonant finale that apparently puts the cap on any further sequels in the offing.

The storyline finds Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), Chieftain of the tribe, having taken over the title from his late father, Stoick (Gerard Butler) - alongside the fearless Astrid (America Ferrera) and his newly found mother Vulcan (Cate Blanchett), engaged in the noble pursuit of freeing caged dragons and bringing them to the Isle of Berk. But the villainous Grimmel (F, Murray Abraham) is hell-bent on destroying their new-found tranquillity – so the tribe agree to leave in search of their Hidden kingdom, with Grimmel hot-on-their-heels, in pursuit. Amidst this hullabaloo, enters a new pure white lioness known as the Light Fury and she catches Toothless eye, and they engage in a hide-n-seek courtship that forces Hiccup to reassess his own abilities and his relationship with his favourite dragon.

Check out the trailer of How To Train Your Dragon:

Returning director-screenwriter Dean DeBlois, with able help from visual consultant Roger Deakins, presents an opulent harvest of computer-generated visuals – exquisite in details, bathed in a light and shadow so dramatic as to look almost heavenly. The eye-pleasing look of the Light Fury, the mating dance sequence between Toothless and his new love, the flickering flames, the resplendent panoramic and scenic views from the skies are all rendered with an unerring artfulness that is simply splendid to behold. Forget the ennui borne from a repetitive and familiar plotting. This one has the power to give flight to your imagination!

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Apart from plasma therapy, COVID-19 patients who are in critical condition, will soon have another kind of treatment, to help fight the infection. Mumbai-based Haffkine Institute, which last month had submitted a proposal to conduct a clinical trial to use the anti-tuberculosis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, as a therapeutic treatment received a nod for it from the Drug Controller General of India on Friday.

Around 30 COVID-19 patients, who have moderate or severe symptoms, will be part of the trial run, starting next week. "The BCG vaccine strengthens immunity and research has shown that it can be used as a therapeutic treatment, to help patients fight the infection. We received an approval from the DGCI and are waiting for the clinical registration number from the ICMR, which should come in a couple of days," said a senior official from the Medical Education and Drugs (MED) department.

While the trial will be carried out by the Haffkine Institute and led by Dr Usha Padmanabhan, it is being monitored by the MED department.

Mumbai has the highest number of Coronavirus-related deaths in the state, as well as in India. The official added that once the trials are successful, patients who are critical, especially in cities like Mumbai and Pune, will be able to benefit from it. "Unlike new drugs, the BCG vaccine is already in production and will be easily available. So far, the institute has carried out preliminary studies and they have come across positive results," the official said.

Dr Rajesh Deshmukh, managing director of the Haffkine Institute in Parel, said that they are likely to start the trial next week. "It will take place at the BJ Medical College in Pune. We have carried out the preparations and the scientists are almost ready," he said.

Based on the preliminary findings of the research for the trial, the effect of the virus can be reduced among patients, if they are given a dose of the BCG vaccine. The official said that the vaccine will help reduce the severity of the symptoms among patients.

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Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar spoke regarding an interesting story from the 1999 Adelaide Test featuring former Australia speedster Glenn McGrath. Tendulkar revealed how he managed to win a game of chess on the field against the player of McGrath's quality.

The 'Master Blaster' explained how he first remained calm and patient when McGrath was in full flow but cut loose the next morning and put pressure back on the bowler.

"In 1999, in our first match at Adelaide... the first innings there was hardly 40 minutes to go in the day's play. Glenn McGrath comes and bowls five or six maiden overs to me," Tendulkar told Star Sports during a video chat that was tweeted by BCCI.

"That was their strategy... 'let's frustrate Sachin. 70 per cent of the ball should go to (wicket-keeper) Adam Gilchrist and 10 per cent close to his bat. If he plays or chases deliveries outside the off-stump we have succeeded'.

"So I kept leaving as many deliveries as possible. There were some good deliveries where I was beaten as well. But I said 'well bowled and now go back and bowl again as I am still here'," he added.

"I remember hitting him for a few boundaries the next morning because it was a fresh day and we both were at the same level. They had a strategy but I knew their strategy was to frustrate me.

"I thought this evening I am patient but tomorrow morning I am gonna play the way I want. You won't control how I want to play but I would control where you are going to bowl."

Tendulkar also had a word of advice for current cricketer as to how to keep themselves mentally fit during lockdown. Due to coronavirus pandemic, all cricket across the world has been postponed for the time being and Tendulkar stated sometimes it is good to stay away from the game for a brief period.

"First of all I would like to tell them to recharge their respective batteries. It is important to have some off time. When you are playing regularly it is not easy to be at the top of your game. It is good to move away from cricket for a while to recharge your batteries," he said.

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HUL share price has zoomed 5% and is presently trading at Rs 2,098.

Meanwhile, the BSE FMCG Index is at 10,083 (up 2.0%).

Among the top Gainers in the BSE FMCG Index today are HUL (up 5.2%) and GSK CONSUMER (up 5.1%).

GODFREY PHILLIPS (down 0.3%) and GODREJ AGROVET LTD (down 1.0%) are among the top losers today.

Over the last one year, HUL has moved up from Rs 1,695 to Rs 2,098, registering a gain of Rs 402 (up 23.6%).

On the other hand, the BSE FMCG has moved down from 11,531 to 10,083, loss of 1,448 points (down 12.6%) during the last 12 months.

The top gainers among the BSE FMCG Index stocks during this same period were TATA CONSUMER PRODUCTS (up 74.6%), NESTLE (up 70.0%) and GSK CONSUMER (up 48.6%).

What About the Benchmark Indices?

The BSE Sensex is at 32,089 (up 0.8%).

The top gainers among the BSE Sensex stocks today are HUL (up 5.2%), RELIANCE IND. (up 4.0%) and NESTLE (up 3.9%). Other gainers include TECH MAHINDRA (up 3.6%) and SUN PHARMA (up 3.2%). The most traded stocks in the BSE Sensex are ICICI BANK and RELIANCE IND..

In the meantime, NSE Nifty is at 9,383 (up 0.7%). The top gainers in the NSE Nifty include HUL (up 5.1%), RELIANCE IND. (up 3.9%) and DR. REDDYS LAB (up 3.7%). Other gainers include TECH MAHINDRA (up 3.6%) and SUN PHARMA (up 3.3%) are among the top gainers in NSE Nifty.

Over the last 12 months, the BSE Sensex has moved down from 38,277 to 32,089, registering a loss of 6,188 points (down 17.23%).

HUL Financial Update...

HUL net profit down at Rs 15 billion for the quarter ended March 2020, compared to a loss of Rs 16 billion a year ago. Net Sales declined 8.1% to Rs 90.1 billion during the period as against Rs 98.1 billion in January-March 2019.

For the year ended March 2019, HUL reported 19.6% increase in net profit to Rs 62.9 billion compared to net profit of Rs 52.6 billion during FY18.

Revenue of the company grew 8.5% to Rs 393 billion during FY19.

The current Price to earnings ratio of HUL, based on rolling 12 month earnings, stands at 67.3x.

This article (HUL Surges by 5%; BSE FMCG Index Up 2.0%) is authored by Equitymaster.

Equitymaster is a leading 'independent' equity research initiative focused on providing well-researched and unbiased opinions on stocks listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Indian share markets ended their trading session on a positive note today.

Benchmark indices edged higher, tracking overnight gains in the US market and positive Asian stock markets.

Further, talks of an economic stimulus for small businesses battered by the coronavirus outbreak improved sentiment.

Reportedly, the government may unveil fiscal stimulus amounting to 0.3% of the country's gross domestic product, focusing on small and medium sized businesses, real estate firms and banks.

At the closing bell, the�BSE Sensex�stood higher by 199 points (up 0.6%) and the�NSE Nifty�closed higher by 52 points (up 0.6%).

SGX Nifty�was trading at 9,260, up by 64 points, at the time of writing.

The BSE Mid Cap�index ended up by 0.1%, while the�BSE Small Cap�index ended the day down by 0.5%.

On the sectoral front, gains were seen in the energy sector and FMCG sector, while power stocks witnessed selling pressure.

Asian stock markets�finished on a strong note as of the most recent closing prices.

The�Hang Seng�was up 1% and the Nikkei was trading higher by 2.6%. The Shanghai Composite was up 0.8%.

European markets were trading on a positive note. The DAX was trading up by 0.8%, while the CAC 40 was trading up by 0.7%.

The rupee was trading at 75.55 to the US$ at the time of writing.

Gold prices�are currently trading up by 0.2% at Rs 46,274.

Speaking of the current stock market scenario, Indian stock markets have seen a stunning recovery over the last 5 weeks.

From its all-time high levels of 42,274 touched on January 20 this year, the Sensex crashed 39% to a multi-year low at 25,639 on March 23. Later, the index made a rapid recovery till April 30 as it added 4,250 points.

Thereafter, in just two sessions of this month, Sensex lost 7%.

Excluding this week's 7% fall, of all the rebounds after a 35%-40% fall in the market, the current one has been the biggest by a distance.

This is evident from the chart below:

Sensex: From Bear to Bull in 30 Days

While the Sensex has rebounded sharply, there are still many stocks out there that are trading at attractive valuations.

Co-head of research at�Equitymaster, Rahul Shah, believes this is a good time to get into stocks, even if you missed the rally because the market is fairly valued.

History has shown that after years like the one we had just now, the next 3 years are good for the markets. In fact, these corrections are the rare times when you find businesses with solid fundamentals at reasonable valuations.

If you can�find good businesses�that can survive the current crisis, you will do well in the long run.

Moving on, market participants were tracking�Shree Cement share price,�TCI Express share price, and�SBI Cards and Payment Services share price�as these companies announced their March quarter results (Q4FY20) today.

You can read our recently released Q4FY20 results of other companies here:�Ambuja Cement,�IndusInd Bank,�Axis Bank,�Tech Mahindra,�Reliance Industries,�Marico,�Kansai Nerolac,�NIIT Technologies,�Persistent Systems,�SKF India.

In news from the banking sector, RBL Bank share price was in focus today.

The private lender on Thursday reported a 54% decline in its March quarter net profit to�Rs 1,143 million on the back of higher provisions.

The bank's total provisions trebled on a year-on-year (YoY) basis and stood at�Rs 6.1 billion in Q4FY20. It holds�Rs 1,079.5 million of provisions in excess of what RBI has mandated for covid-19 related moratorium.

The lender logged a 37% YoY growth in its operating profit at Rs 7.7 billion compared to Rs 5.6 billion a year ago.

The bank's total revenue jumped 33% YoY to Rs 15.2 billion from Rs 11.5 billion reported in Q4FY19.

RBL Bank's net interest margin (NIM) stood at 4.93% in the March quarter. Its net interest income (NII) grew 38% YoY to�Rs 10.2 billion in Q4FY20.

The bank's deposits fell 1% to�Rs 578.1 billion in Q4FY20. Current and savings account (Casa) deposits grew 17% and 2% sequentially to�Rs 171.1 billion in the March quarter.

The private lender's advances increased 7% to�Rs 580.2 billion.

For the financial year 2019-20, the bank's total income stood at Rs 55.4 billion, up 39% YoY from Rs 39.8 billion, while its operating profit jumped 42% YoY to Rs 27.5 billion.

To know more, you can read RBL Bank's Q4FY20 result analysis on our website.

Moving on to news from the pharma sector, shares of Dr Reddy's Laboratories rallied 8% today to hit a 52-week high of Rs 4,132, after the company received the Establishment Inspection Report (EIR) from US health regulator for its manufacturing plant at Srikakulam.

In a regulatory filing, the company said it has received EIR from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), for the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) manufacturing plant at Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh (CTO VI).

The site was issued warning letter in November 2015 after the inspection in 2014, and was under "Official Action Indicated" classification till now.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories share price ended the day up by 3.8%.

In other news, Laurus Labs share price witnessed selling pressure today. Stock of the company�slipped 10% today after more than 30 million equity shares of the pharmaceutical company changed hands via multiple block deals.

As much as 19.1 million shares were traded on BSE, while on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), about 15.3 million shares changed hands.

Last week, the company had reported its consolidated net profit at Rs 1.1 billion, which more than doubled from Rs 430 million reported in the year-ago quarter.

The company's board also recommended for the sub-division of equity shares of the company from existing face value of Rs 10 each to face value of Rs 2 each, subject to regulatory approvals.

Speaking of the pharma sector, in December 2019, co-head of Research at�Equitymaster, Tanushree Banerjee had predicted that pharma could be the sector to see a�big rebound in 2020.

And rightly so, most�pharma companies�have re-emerged as the safer bets for investors in the ongoing market turmoil. Last month, the Indian rupee touched a new record low of Rs 76.92 against the US dollar. Most�pharma companies�generate their revenues through exports. Hence, a depreciating rupee is a positive development for them.

As per Tanushree, in a�post Covid-19 world, healthcare expenditures globally will see a big rejig.

Tanushree has her eyes on an exciting tech stock. The company in question is developing its medical division. It's focusing on telemedicine, which Tanushree believes will be a huge growth driver in a post Corona world.

Looking at the potential upside in the stock, over a period of five to ten years, Tanushree believes investors could become a�One Stock Crorepati.

To know what's moving the Indian stock markets today, check out the most recent�share market updates here.

UK tax authority HM Revenue and Customs has said that it is aware of a new tax avoidance scheme that attempts to exploit Entrepreneurs' Relief by turning what would be income into a capital gain.

BCG vaccine may not prevent infection with the novel coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO therefore didn't recommend

Fruits of new investments in CGIAR could include big boost in rice production for Asia, sustainable irrigation for millions of parched farms in Africa, and dramatic drop in forest destruction tied to agriculture. Washington, D.C. and Montpellier, France — CGIAR, the world’s largest agriculture research partnership, today announced its funding has doubled from $500 million […]

Farmers in Sri Lanka are positioned to benefit from a new policy that recognizes waste from septic tanks as an untapped resource. 

Using artificial intelligence (AI), detecting low glucose levels (hyperglycemia) becomes very easy and painless. This new technology could track low-glucose levels via ECG without finger-prick test.

Company: Southern Labs
Experience: 6 to 15
location: Hyderabad / Secunderabad, Mumbai
Ref: 24826927
Summary: ASM/RSM/ZSM will be responsible for Appointment of SS and Distributors, overseeing sales operations,meeting targets and managing the sales team in the region.

Participants at the forum adopted a communiqué calling for companies to confront challenges they encounter openly and transparently by publicly reporting on due diligence in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas

Brazil remains a fairly closed economy, with small trade flows relative to its share of world income. This paper explores the effects of three possible policy reforms to strengthen Brazil’s integration into global trade: a reduction in import tariffs, less local content requirements and a full zero-rating of exports in indirect taxes.

Participants at the forum adopted a communiqué calling for companies to confront challenges they encounter openly and transparently by publicly reporting on due diligence in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas

French transport group says factories coming back online but investors bet company will default

Patrick Jenkins and guests discuss why protesters in Hong Kong are targeting HSBC, whether Société Générale is in a position to merge with other banks and the challenges facing banking in 2020. With special guest John Garvey, Global Head of Financial Services at PWC.

Contributors: Patrick Jenkins, financial editor, David Crow, banking editor, George Hammond, finance reporter, Stephen Morris, European banking correspondent, Robert Armstrong, US finance editor and John Garvey, Global Head of Financial Services at PWC. Producer: Persis Love

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Janis Joplin achieved a posthumous No.1 hit with a rueful tale of love and loss, written by her old flame, Kris Kristofferson, which in turn helped launch him to stardom. Richard Clayton follows the song's bittersweet success. Credits: Columbia/Legacy, UMC, Top Town Records, Rhino/Warner Bros, Play Digital, Ricordi  

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My buyer asked to delay due to Covid-19 and now I understand I need to pay capital gains tax within 30 days of sale

Stay neutral in the battle between French banks and economic adversity

The actress, 58, and writer, 70, appeared on Friday's Good Morning Britain where they also teased a potential sequel for the film.

The British cast continue the story of the Crawley family in the feature-length drama written by the show's creator Julian Fellowes and directed by Michael Engler.

Several stars turned out for a reception hosted by The British Consulate General in Los Angeles on Thursday.

In scenes set to air on Saturday's edition of the Jonathan Ross Show, the pair joked that that the iconic British actress, 84, 'loves a meme'.

The Downton Abbey star, 58, joked on Wednesday that she made the Hollywood icon, 56, 'the man he is' today thanks to their scenes in 1994 rom-com The Favour.

She is nominated for her first ever NTA in the category of Serial Drama Performance for her portrayal of Sinead Tinker in Coronation Street. 

Katie McGlynn has said she is willing to replace Michelle Keegan in Our Girl, after the actress, 32, stepped down from the role to spend more time with her family.

The actress, 26, who quit her role on the cobbles as Sinead Tinker last year, revealed the news on her Instagram account.

Paddy, 46, shared a screenshot of the conversation he had with Caroline in December, which showed the actor checking in on the troubled star.

The soap star, 28, hinted that the pair 'will get closer' in the coming weeks as the Queen Vic landlord's marriage to wife Linda reaches breaking point due to her alcoholism.

Hertfordshire-born Shona McGarty, 28, told Fabulous Magazine her break-up was amicable and that she didn't want to make a public announcement when things fizzled out last year.

She split up with her fiancé back in January after an 18 month engagement. And EastEnders' Shona McGarty was seen for the first time without her engagement ring

Paul McGinley believes 'something must be amiss' with Tiger Woods for him to play just ten competitive rounds of golf between the Masters three months ago and the Open.

He made headlines in May last year, when he assaulted a 19-year-old man at a football game in Sydney. 

Marion McGilvary says that she doesn't see the point in the annual Burns Night celebration. She argues it should be expanded to celebrate living Scottish poets.

Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson shared his shock at the brawl that followed Khabib Nurmagomedov's UFC 229 submission win over Conor McGregor.

She recently marked her 26th year playing Irene Roberts on Home And Away. 

The presenter, 46, made a hilarious comparison with Eminem who is famed for his blonde locks in younger years

The Strictly Come Dancing star, 61, posted a snap of Paul during a romantic holiday, telling followers that despite 'missing him every day,' she's still thankful to have had him in her life.

Since his professional debut in 1996, Floyd Mayweather has earned hundreds of millions of pounds. His net worth is estimated to be close to a staggering £440million.

The Japanese kickboxer was comprehensively beaten by Mayweather on New Year's Eve, getting knocked down three times before his team threw in the towel inside 140 seconds.

Floyd Mayweather said that Conor McGregor is the 'knockout version' of himself. The American boxing legend opened up to comedian Kevin Hart about his career whilst the pair soaked in ice baths.

His two-weight world championship belts saw him rise to UFC superstardom, but he swapped the octagon for a Dublin boxing ring for a bout with local fighter Michael McGrane.

Conor McGregor may currently be 'retired' from mixed martial arts but it seems the Irishman fancies giving boxing another go.

Floyd Mayweather has dismissed talk of a rematch with Conor McGregor, saying: 'These kids are some circus clowns'. 

Tension has simmered between the pair ever since McGregor released pictures of him sparring Malignaggi in the build up to his boxing fight with Floyd Mayweather in 2017.

McGrath, who is contracted to the Irish Rugby Football Union, has won 57 caps but has slipped behind provincial colleague Cian Healy in the loosehead pecking order.

SECRET SCOUT: Sportsmail’s football expert has been busy scrutinising the Euros for prospective Premier League bargains this summer. 

The presenter, 46, put up two side by side shots taken a year apart that compared his face, admitting while he 'felt fit' when he dropped down to 12 stone he 'looked ill'.