Every year EIU, our sister organisation, measures the health of democracies around the world. In recent years they have become sicker. But the latest index, just published, provides some cheer (unless you’re in America). One part of Europe dominates the top of the ranking.

An underappreciated effect of war in the Gulf is the threat to food. A third of seaborne fertiliser exports come from the region. As planting season begins in much of the world, farmers will use less fertiliser, pushing down yields, or not plant as much. That puts poor countries in particular at risk.

Finally, Demis Hassabis is a Nobel prizewinner who worries that AI could be catastrophic for humanity. He also runs one of the world’s leading AI labs. In a new episode of Inside Tech, Alex Hern speaks to Mr Hassabis about the future of AI. Watch from 6pm London time on our app or Insider hub.