The decision to increase the gap between two doses of Covishield vaccine from 4-6 weeks to 12-16 weeks was "unanimous" and based on studies that showed that a longer interval resulted in higher efficacy, the government's top advisory group on immunisation said on Wednesday. Responding to a Retuers report that three members of the group denied backing the 12-16 weeks dosage interval, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation countered the report and said there was no dissent from any member when the decision was vetted by the Covid-19 working group and the standing technical sub-committee under NTAGI. Direct tax collections shot up by 57% to Rs 2.16 lakh crore during the financial year so far on the back of a low base last year due to a national lockdown as well as collections through the dispute resolution scheme. After adjusting refunds, the mop-up has more than doubled to Rs 1.85 lakh crore between April and June 15. Indians suffered the maximum damage to eyesight globally due to increased screen time as education, work and entertainment moved online due to lockdowns in 2020, according to a study, reports Pankaj Doval. About 27.5 crore Indians (23% of population) reported weakening of eyesight due to excessive screen time, alongside other factors like cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration, said the sutdy that collated Lancet & WHO data. India had the biggest correlation between screen time and increased rate of vision loss it said. Autocratic nations like China  are seeking to manipulate, undermine or even break up multilateral organisations, such as the WHO and Interpol, set up in the wake of World War II to establish an international system based on shared values of peace, prosperity and freedom, a new report has found.
