Hello and welcome to the Intelligence from the Economist.

From London, I'm Jason Palmer.

And in New York, I'm John Fassman.

Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

Social norms for women in Egypt make it tricky for them to live alone.

Even widows, our correspondent speaks with unmarried women who rely on plenty of roses

to avoid attention and who strike packs that insure homes for all the single ladies.

And for 73 years, residents of New Jersey have been banned from pumping their own petrol.

It's a point of pride in the state not to even know how, but with gas prices high and unemployment

low, residents may soon have to learn.

At first.

A new phase of Russia's invasion is underway in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky confirmed as much late last night.

We can now say Russian forces have started the Battle of the Donbass, he said.

How this stage of the war plays out will depend on multiple factors, including how the rest

of the world supports Ukraine, with money, arms and by maintaining sanctions against Russia.

The General Assembly is now voting on drought resolution A slash E S 11 slash L 11,

a one entitled aggression against Ukraine.

Indeed, global opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has appeared overwhelming.

A perception underlying in a UN vote at the beginning of March, condemning Russia's invasion.

The result of the war is as follows.

In favour, 141 against 5, abstentions 35.

...