World Coronavirus Dispatch: Iran's vaccination drive mired in geopolitics

Malaysia's GDP contracts 5.6% in 2020, AstraZeneca to set up new vaccine facility in Germany, Coca-Cola sales drop in Q4 and other pandemic-related news across the globe

Covid impact: Malaysia's GDP contracts 5.6% in 2020

Malaysia recorded its biggest annual contraction in at least 22 years as strict measures to contain the coronavirus stalled the economy. The GDP plunged 3.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2020, marking a third consecutive quarterly drop for the country. Led by weak consumption and investments, almost all sectors in the economy witnessed a decline, barring manufacturing in the foruth quarter. The GDP for the full year fell 5.6 per cent. In the second quarter of 2020, the economy fell as much as 17 per cent, but recovered in the