Taiwan matters hugely to the global economy because of its dominance in chip production. A Chinese blockade of Taiwan would shatter that all-important sector and as a result would wreak havoc on the global economy.

It looks like a brazen attempt by a town mayor to stuff ballots. In this edition of Truth or Fake, we take a look at two incriminating videos that went viral of last Sunday's elections in the Comoros, which were marred by allegations of irregularities. The mayor denies the accusations of fraud, which led to his being escorted from the polling station by gendarmes.

At least two people have been killed after a pre-dawn landslide buried homes in the southwest province of Yunnan. A rescue operation is ongoing.

Did the map of the Middle East suddenly just get bigger? On Tuesday, Iran hit points in Iraqi Kurdistan, Syria.and all the way over on its eastern border, separatist militants in Balochistan province.

India and China are competing for influence in Bangladesh and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina looks to maintain partnerships with the US and Europe while keeping new options on the table.

Ukraine's president and China's prime minister shared the spotlight at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, as they both delivered keynote addresses. Calling Vladimir Putin an embodiment of war, Volodymyr Zelensky called on Kyiv's allies to take a tougher stand against Russia. China's Li Qiang focused on trade and the economy, taking aim at what he called disruptive trade barriers. FRANCE 24's Yuka Royer reports from Davos, where she also spoke with an executive at US chipmaker Intel.

Plunging birth rates and COVID-related deaths have led to a population decline of over 2 million. However, Beijing says it has hit economic growth targets.

S. Leo Chiang is a Taiwanese-American film director based in San Francisco and Taipei. His most recent short film "Island in Between", about his deeply complex relationship with his Taiwanese identity – specifically in relation to China – has been nominated for an Oscar.

Images of the Indian prime minister promoting India's idyllic Lakshadweep islands have exacerbated tensions with the Maldives, which is turning more towards China under a new government.

The self-ruled island is electing a new leader who will set the tone for its relations with China and the US for years to come.

In Taiwan, the stakes are higher than ever as 19 million voters head to the polls on January 13 to choose their new president. China, which claims the island as its own territory, has gone so far as to cast the vote as a choice between war and peace.

If the last few years have taught us anything, it's to expect the unexpected when it comes to the global economy. Those hoping for some more stability in 2024 might just be disappointed.