<SYSTEM_TASK:>
Solve the following problem using Python, implementing the functions described below, one line at a time
<END_TASK>
<USER_TASK:>
Description:
 def load_global_settings():
 """Loads settings file containing paths to dependencies and other optional configuration elements."""

    with open(settings_path, 'r') as settings_f:
        global global_settings
        settings_json = json.loads(settings_f.read())
        if global_settings is None:
            global_settings = settings_json
            global_settings[u'package_path'] = package_dir
        else:
            for k, v in settings_json.items():
                if type(v) == dict:
                    global_settings[k].update(v)
                else:
                    global_settings[k] = v