Search and rescue operations in the North Atlantic for a lost submarine continued as the vessel’s remaining oxygen runs out, and the House of Representative voted to censure Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) over his role in investigations of former President Donald Trump. These stories and more highlight the rundown for Thursday, June 22, 2023.
Submarine still missing as deadline approaches
The deadline to find the lost submarine that disappeared on its way to the Titanic wreckage site was fast approaching Thursday morning. The submarine was not only still missing, but running out of oxygen.
Rescue ships and planes have been searching an area twice the size of Connecticut since Sunday, June 18 in waters over 13,000 feet deep. They’ve also had to deal with fog and stormy conditions common to the area of the north Atlantic where the lost submarine vanished.
Underwater sounds had been detected Tuesday, June 20 and Wednesday, June 21, providing hope that there could be a last-minute rescue. While those sounds offered a chance to narrow the search, their exact location and source hasn’t yet been determined.
“The echo from the deep is what’s going to help locate the submarine ultimately. Then a [remotely operated vehicle] is going to need to have to be deployed probably and, hopefully, can assess and maybe assist the submarine in freeing itself if it’s stuck or perhaps somehow helping it drop those weights so it can rise to the surface,” marine geologist Jeffrey Karson said.
Rep. Adam Schiff censured by House Republicans
The House voted along party lines on Wednesday, June 21, to censure Rep. Schiff for pushing claims that former President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign colluded with Russia.
The resolution passed 213 to 209, with all Democrats voting against the severe condemnation for Schiff. The passed measure also directs the House ethics committee to open an investigation into the California representative. Schiff was also pulled off the intelligence committee earlier this year by the Republican-led House.
Republicans forgo vote to impeach Biden amid internal party struggles
In a surprise motion brought to the House floor, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) called for an impeachment vote of President Joe Biden. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) squashed the idea, sending the impeachment resolution to two House committees for review instead.
The move was expected to fend off an impeachment vote for some time. Rep. Boebert’s resolution was introduced on her own, blindsiding even members of her own party.
Court docs: Kohberger DNA matches sample at scene
Newly-filed court documents in the murder of four college students in Idaho revealed new details linking suspect Bryan Kohberger’s DNA to a near-exact match to the DNA found on a knife sheath at the crime scene. Kohberger is accused of murdering the four students at a home near campus in November of 2022.
Law enforcement officials found a knife sheath on the bed next to two of the bodies. A recent cheek swab taken from Kohberger allowed for a direct DNA comparison, which is described to be an overwhelming statistical match.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday, June 26. A trial date has been set for Monday, Oct. 2.
Tornadoes batter South, 3 dead in north Texas
Another stretch of severe weather has battered parts of the South. At least 11 tornadoes touched down across four states.
Three people died in the small northern Texas town of Matador. At least 10 major structures crumbled during the storm.
Six other tornadoes touched down in Colorado, three in Texas, and one a piece in Wyoming and Nebraska. Hundreds of thousands were left without power following the devastating storm system, all while temperatures in the South lingered in the triple digits.
This was the second time a deadly tornado struck Texas in less than a week. A tornado had left three people dead and more than 100 injured in the state’s panhandle.
FTC sues Amazon, claims millions tricked into prime memberships
Amazon has been sued, accused of tricking millions of people into paying for Amazon Prime subscriptions. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed the lawsuit, accusing Amazon of duping customers into signing up for Prime and charging a $139 annual membership fee. The FTC also said Amazon made it difficult for customers to cancel the membership.
Amazon described the FTC’s claims as “false on the facts and the law.” An Amazon spokesperson said they didn’t find out about the lawsuit until the FTC announced it publicly. The spokesperson added that Amazon will prove its case in court.
