The U.S. presidential primaries are progressing with former President Donald Trump leading the Republican field, poised to secure the nomination on Super Tuesday. President Joe Biden is expected to continue his sweep of the Democratic primaries. Despite Trump's dominance, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley remains in the race as a protest candidate. On the Democratic side, there is a movement among some left-leaning voters to protest Biden's support for Israel. Experts believe the primaries have been uncompetitive and anticipate a Trump-Biden rematch in the general election.

Shakira is set to release her new album 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran' on March 22, featuring collaborations with Cardi B, Bizarrap, and Rauw Alejandro. She has shared insights into her personal life, including her separation from Gerard Piqué, in an interview with Apple Music. Shakira discusses the value of friendship over romance and her experience as a single mother. She also touches on her children's musical talents, particularly Milan's songwriting during the separation. The album promises to be her most honest and moving to date.

Following the Super Tuesday presidential primaries, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, representing the Democratic and Republican parties respectively, exchanged sharp public messages and contrasting views on the state of the nation. Biden warned of the existential threat to democracy posed by a potential second Trump presidency, while Trump criticized Biden's performance as president. Experts anticipate an increase in negative campaigning leading up to the elections. Trump's speech at Mar-a-Lago highlighted issues such as immigration and crime, while Biden focused on his administration's achievements and the dangers of Trump's potential return to power. Nikki Haley, Trump's only Republican rival, suspended her campaign after the primaries.

Donald Trump won the Iowa Republican presidential caucuses with a record margin, securing 51% of the votes. His victory sets a strong precedent for the upcoming primaries, with Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley trailing significantly. Trump's support was particularly strong among male voters, older demographics, and evangelical Christians. DeSantis' campaign suffered a setback, and he is now focusing on South Carolina, while Haley aims for an upset in New Hampshire. Experts suggest that Trump is likely to secure the Republican nomination barring any major disruptions.

Pope Francis announced that priests can now bless same-sex couples, a significant shift from the Vatican's 2021 ruling against such blessings. The new declaration, 'Fiducia Supplicans on the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings,' maintains the church's stance against same-sex marriage but encourages 'pastoral charity.' The move is part of Francis's broader efforts to expand LGBTQ+ acceptance within the church, despite criticism from conservative factions. Reactions are expected to be mixed globally, with support in Western countries and resistance in places like sub-Saharan Africa. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, such as DignityUSA and the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics, welcomed the change, seeing it as a response to global outcry and a source of hope in regions with strong opposition to same-sex relationships.

Since his inauguration on December 10, Argentina's new president Javier Milei has initiated aggressive steps to restructure the country's economy, including a promise to 'dollarize' the economy. Milei, an economist and self-described anarcho-capitalist and libertarian, aims to reduce government size and implement drastic measures for economic stability. His actions include devaluing the peso by 54% against the US dollar, canceling price controls, reducing subsidies, and cutting government ministries and secretariats. These measures are expected to accelerate inflation, which is already over 100% annually. Milei's government plans to continue with dollarization, a move confirmed by Economy Minister Luis Caputo. Experts like Steve Hanke provide theoretical roadmaps for dollarization, while others like Monica de Bol express skepticism about its feasibility amid economic turmoil. Daniel Raisbeck suggests that parts of Argentina's economy are already effectively dollarized, and a transition could be supported by existing dollar reserves.

U.S. House Republicans are moving towards a vote to formalize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, with uncertain support. Polling indicates a decrease in public enthusiasm for the inquiry, especially among Republicans. The inquiry, led by Representative James Comer, has focused on the Biden family's finances, including Hunter Biden, who faces criminal tax evasion charges. Evidence presented by the committee against President Biden has not been substantiated. Biden denies any wrongdoing, labeling the investigation as politically motivated.

While Democrats are united in their concern that a second term for Donald Trump would equate to a dictatorship, Republicans are sharply divided. Some Republicans vocalize concerns about Trump's authoritarian tendencies, often those not currently in office or retiring. Trump has promised revenge and retribution if re-elected, using rhetoric reminiscent of 1930s European fascism and suggesting punitive actions against political opponents and immigrants. A coalition led by the Heritage Foundation is vetting thousands of Trump supporters for roles in a potential second administration. Trump's closest allies echo his threats, with former officials like Kash Patel and Steve Bannon making serious claims about targeting perceived conspirators. Despite these concerns, some Republicans, such as Senator Lindsay Graham and Governor Ron DeSantis, downplay Trump's rhetoric, while others like Chris Christie and Mitt Romney warn of the dangers of Trump's potential return to power.

Donald Trump's campaign for a second term as U.S. President includes promises to apply federal laws to punish political enemies and restructure the government. Democrats unanimously express concerns about a potential Trump dictatorship, while Republicans are divided. Some Republicans warn of Trump's authoritarian tendencies, particularly those not seeking re-election. Trump has made vengeful promises and authoritarian statements, alarming some like Chris Christie and Mitt Romney. Others, like Ron DeSantis and Lindsey Graham, downplay these concerns. Trump's refusal to clarify his stance on dictatorship in a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity adds to the controversy. The article suggests a serious divide within the Republican Party regarding Trump's potential return to power.

Republicans are divided on whether Donald Trump would act as a dictator if reelected as U.S. president. While some Republicans downplay his rhetoric, others, including former officeholders like Chris Christie and vocal critics like Liz Cheney, express serious concerns about Trump's authoritarian tendencies. Trump's statements about using federal law enforcement to punish political enemies and restructure the government, as well as his language calling opponents 'vermin' and immigrants 'poison,' have raised alarms. Trump has also shown interest in reclassifying federal employees to fire them at will and has threatened to use a special prosecutor against Joe Biden. Despite these concerns, Trump maintains a strong lead in primary polls, and some Republicans, like Senator Lindsey Graham, view his comments as humorous rather than a serious threat.

The United States and China have announced new agreements to collaborate on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewable energy deployment ahead of the upcoming COP28 UN climate conference. The agreement, which does not set specific goals but commits to negotiations, marks the resumption of a bilateral working group on climate issues. It also includes a commitment from China to address all greenhouse gases, not just carbon dioxide, and an invitation to other world leaders to attend a Methane and Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases Summit. The climate agreement is a positive development in the otherwise strained U.S.-China relations. Climate activists welcome the renewed dialogue but express a desire for more action on reducing fossil fuel consumption. This announcement coincides with the release of the fifth National Climate Assessment in the U.S., which highlights the worsening impacts of climate change across the country.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in San Francisco for trade talks, continuing efforts to improve U.S.-China relations. The discussions precede a potential meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC forum. Despite recent tensions over economic policies and trade restrictions, trade remains strong between the two nations. Experts do not expect major breakthroughs from the upcoming talks, anticipating incremental progress at best. Yellen has outlined the U.S. stance for healthy competition and addressed concerns over China's economic practices in a recent op-ed, while China faces economic challenges and investor confidence issues.

The article provides an explanation of legal terms related to the conflict in Gaza, including international law, international humanitarian law, war crimes, proportionality, and the Geneva Conventions. It clarifies that international law consists of agreements between nations, while international humanitarian law, also known as the law of armed conflict, governs the conduct of wars. The Geneva Conventions are highlighted as key treaties that outline the obligations of governments towards noncombatants in war. The article also discusses the additional protocols to the Geneva Conventions and the concept of war crimes, as defined by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The principle of proportionality in warfare is explained as the requirement that force used in an attack must be commensurate with the importance of the military objective.

President Joe Biden signed an executive order on artificial intelligence addressing national security, consumer privacy, human rights, and market competition. The order mandates federal agencies to develop policies for AI regulation. It requires rigorous testing of AI systems to prevent cyberattacks and misuse, and calls for bipartisan Congressional action on personal data protection legislation. The order also aims to maintain U.S. leadership in AI development and addresses ethical AI use by intelligence and defense agencies. Despite its broad scope, experts question the practical implementation of the regulatory norms.

The United States has called on Middle Eastern allies during an emergency session of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) to increase efforts to interrupt international funding for Hamas, the organization responsible for the massive attack on Israeli civilians on October 7. The US Treasury Department urged TFTC member countries to use their influence to further halt funds for Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. The US has classified Hamas as a terrorist organization since 1997. A recent meeting was moved up due to the crisis in Israel and Gaza, and new sanctions against Hamas were announced by the US Treasury. International efforts to target Hamas' funding sources have waned over the years, but the events of October 7 have demonstrated the ongoing threat posed by Hamas, leading to a renewed focus on cutting off its financial support. The Republican-led Oversight Commission in the House of Representatives has also sent a letter to the Biden administration urging USAID to ensure that humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza does not end up supporting Hamas or other terrorist groups.

China has tightened export controls on graphite, crucial for electric car batteries and green energy systems, to ensure global supply chain security and protect national interests. This follows the U.S. expansion of semiconductor export restrictions to China, including Nvidia's AI chips. The U.S. described its measures as minor, aimed at closing policy loopholes. Trade interactions between the U.S. and China are evolving, with both countries seeking a new equilibrium despite high trade volumes. Lily McElwee from the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that both countries are communicating more about trade policies, with joint working groups possibly normalizing advance warnings about new restrictions.

The U.S. House of Representatives failed to elect a new Speaker in the first round of voting, with no candidate achieving the necessary majority. Republican Jim Jordan, a conservative congressman from Ohio and close ally of former President Donald Trump, did not secure enough support. The Republicans, holding a slim majority, nominated Jordan, who initially gained significant backing but faced opposition from more than 50 Republicans. The House is currently without a leader during a volatile period, with crises emerging in the Middle East and Ukraine and a looming budget deadline that could lead to a government shutdown. The inability to elect a Speaker has prevented the House from responding to these crises, including supporting Israel following a brutal attack by Hamas and providing additional aid to Ukraine amidst a new Russian offensive. The situation raises concerns about the functionality of the U.S. government and its global leadership.