National

More than 10,000 civilians have been injured or killed since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, according to new figures the United Nations shared Wednesday.

Driving the news: The recorded figures include 4,731 deaths through June 27, but the true toll is likely far higher, said Matilda Bogner, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, the Washington Post reported.

The big picture: The UN Human Rights Office on Wednesday released a new report documenting independently verified civilian casualties from Feb. 24 through May 15.

Investigators found "a grave deterioration of the human rights situation in the country," the report states.  

Catch up fast: The report comes on the heels of a high-profile attack on a civilian site that left scores injured and dead earlier this week. A missile strike hit a mall in Kremenchuk when an estimated 1,000 civilians were inside, killing at least 18 people. With dozens still missing, the toll is expected to rise.

Western and Ukrainian officials have said Russia fired the missile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the UN to conduct an independent investigation to confirm Russia's responsibility for the strike after Moscow denied targeting the mall.

Human Rights Watch on Thursday called for the attack to be investigated as a "potential war crime."

What they're saying: "The daily killing of civilians, the torture, disappearances and other violations must stop," Bogner said, per the Post.

"If the hostilities will not stop, then the absolute minimum required is to fully respect international humanitarian and human rights law and commit to protecting every civilian woman, man and child."

Go deeper: Live updates: Russian invasion of Ukraine

UN: At least 10,000 civilians injured or killed since Russia invaded Ukraine

UN investigators found “a grave deterioration of the human rights situation in the country," a new report states.

Memorial at the site of a Russian strike on a Ukrainian mall

Flowers offered as memorial for the civilian victims are seen at what remains of a shopping mall targeted by a missile strike in Kremenchuk. Photo: Narciso Contreras/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Ukraine

More than 10,000 civilians have been injured or killed since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Russia invaded Ukraine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/22/russia-ukraine-invasion-putin-live-updates" data-vars-content-id="56dab07e-3e6a-4df6-9600-b281089b9fb9" data-vars-headline="UN: At least 10,000 civilians injured or killed since Russia invaded Ukraine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/22/russia-ukraine-invasion-putin-live-updates" target="_self">Russia invaded Ukraine</a> in February, according to new figures the United Nations shared Wednesday.Driving the news: The recorded figures include 4,731 deaths through June 27, but the true toll is likely far higher, said Matilda Bogner, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, the Washington Post <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/30/russia-ukraine-war-putin-news-live-updates/#link-V6CP222JIBCTZLBQ4BV4VXYLTA" data-vars-content-id="56dab07e-3e6a-4df6-9600-b281089b9fb9" data-vars-headline="UN: At least 10,000 civilians injured or killed since Russia invaded Ukraine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/30/russia-ukraine-war-putin-news-live-updates/#link-V6CP222JIBCTZLBQ4BV4VXYLTA" target="_blank">reported</a>.

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

The Texas Supreme Court on Friday night barred clinics from performing abortions, days after a lower court ruling said a pre-Roe ban did not forbid them from seeing patients, the Associated Press reports.

Driving the news: The decision opens the door for civil enforcement of a ban on the procedure in the state, but does not permit criminal enforcement of that prohibition, per the AP. 

Why it matters: What's happening in Texas illustrates the confusion for people seeking access to abortion following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The ruling, which dashed the constitutional right to an abortion, gave states the power to enact restrictions or enshrine protections for the procedure.

Whether Texas clinics that had begun scheduling appointments with people seeking abortions would halt services again was not immediately clear, per AP. 

Texas had an abortion ban on the books dating to 1925, even while the landmark precedent Roe established was still in place, Axios' Oriana Gonzalez reports.

Catch up fast: Following the overturning of Roe, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton put out an advisory stating that "abortion providers could be criminally liable for providing abortions starting today” based on the state’s “abortion prohibitions predating Roe." 

Earlier this week, a Houston judge gave permission to clinics that they could resume performing the procedure up to six weeks into pregnancy. 

Paxton asked the state’s supreme court for a temporary hold on the lower court judge’s order, leading to Friday night's decision.

A hearing on the matter is scheduled for later this month.

Situational awareness: Texas also has a "trigger" law that will take effect later this month. Doctors could face life in prison and fines up to $100,000 if they perform abortions.

The law would make exceptions only to save the life of a pregnant patient or if a pregnant person risks "substantial impairment of major bodily function." It does not make exceptions for pregnancies stemming from rape or incest.

 Go deeper: Roe v. Wade summary: Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. Wade

Texas Supreme Court blocks order allowing abortions to resume

Whether Texas clinics that had begun scheduling appointments would halt services again was not immediately clear.

Abortion rights demonstrators during a rally in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, June 26. Photo: Alex Scott/Bloomberg via Getty Images 

Abortion

Politics & Policy

Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police chief Pete Arredondo, who has faced criticism over the botched response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary, has resigned from the Uvalde City Council, the Uvalde Leader-News reported.

Driving the news: Arredondo was sworn in as a council member in May shortly after the shooting that left 19 children and 2 teachers dead.

What he’s saying: “After much consideration, I regret to inform those who voted for me that I have decided to step down as a member of the city council for District 3,” Arredondo said in a statement, per the Uvalde News. 

“The mayor, the city council, and the city staff must continue to move forward without distractions. I feel this is the best decision for Uvalde.”

“As we continue to grieve over the tragedy that occurred on May 24th, we pray for the families involved and our community,” Arredondo said. “Uvalde has a rich history of loving and supporting thy neighbor and we must continue to do so.”

“In speaking with other communities that have had similar tragedies, the guidance has been the same… continue to support the families, continue to support our community, and definitely, to keep our faith.”

Catch up quick: Arredondo and other Texas law enforcement officials have faced criticism over why it took so long for officers to stop the shooter.

Steven McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, said in late May that Arredondo made "the wrong decision" by not breaching the classrooms where the gunman was with students and teachers.

McCraw said Arredondo, the on-site commander, thought the shooter was barricaded inside and it was not an active-shooter situation.

Arredondo’s lawyer, George Hyde, told the Texas Tribune last month that the police chief didn’t think he was the incident commander as the shooting unfolded because he was acting as a first responder.

Go deeper: City of Uvalde hires law firm to block release of documents related to mass shooting 

Editor's note: This story was updated with additional details throughout. 

Uvalde schools police chief resigns from City Council

Arredondo has faced criticism over the botched response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary.

 The Robb Elementary School sign is seen covered in flowers and gifts on June 17, 2022 in Uvalde, Texas. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images) 

Uvalde, Texas school shooting

Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police chief Pete Arredondo, who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has faced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/27/texas-school-shooting-uvalde-gunman-timeline" data-vars-content-id="cd774a98-4256-4b23-9ebb-572da4cf7d19" data-vars-headline="Uvalde schools police chief resigns from City Council" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/27/texas-school-shooting-uvalde-gunman-timeline" target="_self">has faced</a> criticism over the botched response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary, has resigned from the Uvalde City Council,<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" the Uvalde Leader-News reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/articles/arredondo-calls-it-quits-on-city/" data-vars-content-id="cd774a98-4256-4b23-9ebb-572da4cf7d19" data-vars-headline="Uvalde schools police chief resigns from City Council" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/articles/arredondo-calls-it-quits-on-city/" target="_blank"> the Uvalde Leader-News reported</a>.Driving the news: Arredondo was sworn in as a council member in May shortly after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shooting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/24/texas-elementary-school-shooting" data-vars-content-id="cd774a98-4256-4b23-9ebb-572da4cf7d19" data-vars-headline="Uvalde schools police chief resigns from City Council" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/24/texas-elementary-school-shooting" target="_self">shooting</a> that left 19 children and 2 teachers dead.

President Biden said Thursday he would not lobby Saudi leaders to produce more oil during a planned visit to the country next month.

Driving the news: "No I’m not going to ask," Biden said in response to a question from a reporter at a press conference in Spain Thursday. "I've indicated to them that I thought they should be increasing oil production generically, not to the Saudis, particularly."

The big picture: Record-high gas prices have hit Americans hard this spring and summer, and the Biden administration has been scrambling to address the issue.

Biden has tapped the nation's strategic petroleum reserve, called on Congress to temporarily suspend the national gas tax and pressed the oil industry to boost production, even as its running near maximum capacity. But short-term relief for people at the pump remains elusive.

What's next: Biden’s visit to the Middle East is scheduled for July 13 to 16.

Go deeper: White House announces Biden will visit Saudi Arabia, expects to meet crown prince

Biden says he won't ask Saudi Arabia to produce more oil during visit

The Biden administration has been scrambling to address record-high gas prices.

President Biden addresses a press conference on the second and final day of the NATO 2022 Summit in Madrid on Thursday. Photo: EUROPA PRESS/E. Parra./POOL via Getty Images

Gas prices

Joe Biden

President Biden said Thursday he would not lobby Saudi leaders to produce more oil during a planned visit to the country next month.Driving the news: &quot;No I’m not going to ask,&quot; Biden said in response to a question from a reporter at a press conference in Spain Thursday. &quot;I&#x27;ve indicated to them that I thought they should be increasing oil production generically, not to the Saudis, particularly.&quot;

Voters don’t want President Biden or former President Trump on the ballot in 2024, according to a new Harvard Center for American Political Studies and Harris Poll. 

Driving the news: A majority of people surveyed in late June spurned the possibility of a Biden and Trump rematch in the next presidential election, but the survey did find that Trump is on stronger footing with his base.

Details: Seven in 10 people polled said Biden should not seek a second term.

45% said Biden is a bad president while 30% said he’s too old.

A quarter of people said it’s time for a change. 

Between the lines: Asked whether Biden is “mentally fit to serve as President of the United States or do you have doubts about his fitness for office,” 60% of respondents said they have doubts about Biden’s fitness, including nine of 10 Republican respondents and more than a quarter of Democrats polled. 

 In a potential Democratic primary, 30% of Democrats surveyed said they would support Biden. Vice President Kamala Harris polled at 18%, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was at 8%.  

By the numbers: Six in ten voters say they don’t want Trump to run again. 

One in three polled said he will divide America.

36% said he’s erratic while 30% said Trump is responsible for the Capitol Riot on Jan. 6, 2021. 

Yes, but: The poll shows Trump is a clear favorite of GOP voters in a primary among other potential Republican nominees. 

Among Republicans polled, 56% said they would vote for Trump in a primary.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was the next most popular choice among GOP voters, with 16%. Former Vice President Mike Pence polled at 7%. 

 Methodology: This survey was conducted online from June 28-29 and includes 1,308 registered voters.

Poll: Most voters don't want Biden or Trump on the 2024 ballot

The survey did find that Trump is on stronger footing with his base.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden are seen during the final presidential debate in 2020 displayed on a screen of a smartphone. Photo Illustration: by Pavlo Conchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

2024 presidential election

Voters don’t want President Biden or former President Trump on the ballot in 2024, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harvard Center for American Political Studies and Harris Poll" data-vars-click-url="https://harvardharrispoll.com/key-results-june/" data-vars-content-id="de99dd01-e944-4189-a0ff-6ca9bb3ed515" data-vars-headline="Poll: Most voters don&#x27;t want Biden or Trump on the 2024 ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://harvardharrispoll.com/key-results-june/" target="_blank">Harvard Center for American Political Studies and Harris Poll</a>. Driving the news: A majority of people surveyed in late June spurned the possibility of a Biden and Trump rematch in the next presidential election, but the survey did find that Trump is on stronger footing with his base.

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Uvalde schools police chief resigns from City Council

Poll: Most voters don't want Biden or Trump on the 2024 ballot

Texas Supreme Court blocks order allowing abortions to resume

Biden says he won't ask Saudi Arabia to produce more oil during visit

UN: At least 10,000 civilians injured or killed since Russia invaded Ukraine