Last week we reported that the tide of the war in Ukraine was beginning to turn. This week, fresh analysis of battlefield data and maps strengthens that case. Russia has paid a staggering price: our estimates suggest around 3% of its pre-war male population of fighting age has been killed or wounded. Meanwhile, Ukraine has begun to claw back territory.

And let me introduce you to Ashoka, our new column on India, which this week examines how the country’s crumbling cities could benefit from plans to redraw the electoral map. Named after the emperor whose realm once stretched across most of the subcontinent—and whose symbols now represent the modern republic—Ashoka will appear online every Sunday and in print each week.

What to expect in the week ahead:

▸ Israel’s parliament is expected to dissolve itself this week and start the countdown to elections. The immediate trigger is a demand from ultra-Orthodox parties in the ruling coalition for a law exempting students in religious seminaries from compulsory military service. Binyamin Netanyahu was willing to pass the legislation, but failed to muster the necessary votes. The ultra-Orthodox parties therefore withdrew their support for the coalition.

▸ Nvidia releases its first-quarter results on Wednesday. The giant chipmaker’s revenues from data centres grew by 75% year on year in the previous quarter, to $62bn. Markets expect—and are relying on—the firm’s extraordinary growth to continue.

▸ Vladimir Putin, Russia’s leader, will meet Xi Jinping in Beijing, also on Wednesday. A Kremlin spokesperson said the two leaders will “exchange views” on Donald Trump’s visit to China last week. Mr Xi and Mr Trump exchanged flattery during the summit, but tensions were apparent: Mr Xi warned a “mishandling” of Taiwan would sour relations and China’s foreign ministry said the Iran war “should never have happened”.