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Here's today's free edition. This is the World in Brief from The Economist.

Our top stories.

Donald Trump was projected the winner of Iowa's Republican caucus.

The Associated Press called the result just 31 minutes into the contest with the vast majority of the vote still to count and the runner-ups still to be determined.

Earlier on Monday, Donald Trump lashed out on social media at rivals

Nicky Haley, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswami.

A delegation of American former officials met William Lai Chingte, the President-elect of Taiwan and

Sying Wen, the current President.

Mr Lai expressed his desire to deepen relations with America.

The visit came as Nauru, a small Pacific Island nation, cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan after the election.

Taiwan's deputy foreign minister accused China of trying to, quote,

seize Taiwan's diplomatic relations by poaching Nauru.

America-Sedahuthi missile struck an American-owned cargo ship off the south coast of Yemen.

Nobody was injured.

Earlier on Monday, America shot down a missile directed at a Navy vessel by Huthy

rebels.

Last week America launched air strikes on the Iran-backed militant group in Yemen.

...