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As new coronavirus strains emerge and infect more people, questions loom over the effectiveness of vaccines.

Here’s what you need to know about the most concerning COVID-19 variants 👇

1- SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, keeps changing, generating new and more transmissible versions.

The concerning variants have been identified in the UK, South Africa and Brazil.

Here's what you need to know about the UK's B.1.1.7 variant: aje.io/cgxtx

2- The B.1.1.248 variant was first detected in early January in Brazil and is now spreading across the country. Brazil’s health minister says it is ‘three times more contagious’

Here's what you need to know: aje.io/rfjbs

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9 Feb

Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing said in his first televised address since the coup that the new military gov't will hold elections and hand over power to the winner ⬇️

Foreign firms with investments in Myanmar have come under increased scrutiny since the coup on February 1. aje.io/6nu7d

Police in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw have reportedly fired warning shots into the air to disperse mass demonstrations against last week's military coup.

Read more: aje.io/fsvlm

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Al Jazeera English

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8 Feb

This is the moment police in Myanmar fired water cannon at anti-coup protesters as tens of thousands marched for a third consecutive day against the military takeover ⬇️

“[Myanmar] police are closer than the military” to Aung San Suu Kyi and would be more “likely to stand with protesters” than soldiers, says political analyst Khin Zaw Win. aje.io/pd2n7

Myanmar’s military ruler says the military will hold a new election & transfer power to the winner amid anti-coup protests aje.io/2rvkg

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Al Jazeera English

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8 Feb

For all COVID-19 news, follow our coverage here ➡️ aje.io/ptbhm

Since the start of the year, widescale anti-lockdown demonstrations leading to arrests have taken place in cities across Europe, North America and the Middle East.

What’s driving these COVID-19 lockdown protests? 👉 aje.io/r78j3

"It is temporary until we figure out these issues."

South Africa suspends AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout after data showed it offered reduced protection against the variant first identified in the country.

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Al Jazeera English

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7 Feb

Dozens of people feared dead after a Himalayan glacier broke apart and crashed into a hydroelectric dam in India aje.io/y8vgj

As many as 150 people are feared dead in India’s northern Uttarakhand state after a Himalayan glacier partially broke, causing heavy flooding.

Read more: aje.io/v8dt9