World News: GOP ousts Omar from committee

Thursday, February 2

Republican members of Congress voted to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar from a committee. At least 10 people have died in the South since Monday after a severe winter weather system. And Punxsutawney Phil makes his annual Groundhog Day prediction.

👋 Hi, it's Julius with Thursday's news.

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GOP votes Rep. Omar off foreign relations committee

The Republican-led House Thursday voted along party lines to remove Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar from the House Foreign Relations Committee, citing controversial comments she made about Israel. Omar has been a fierce critic of Israel's treatment of Palestinians, and Republican leaders have long threatened to take action against her over statements she's made about the U.S. ally. Omar said on the House floor that her removal is about more than silencing her voice."This debate today is about who gets to be an American," Omar said. "I am an American." Read more.

FILE - Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., speaks to reporters during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Nov. 30, 2021. Progressive and centrist Democrats in the House have clinched agreement on a long-sought policing and public safety package that will be brought to the House floor just weeks before the midterm elections. The breakthrough came after intense negotiations in recent days between Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., a leader of the centrist coalition, and Omar, one of the leaders of the progressive faction. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., speaks to reporters during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Nov. 30, 2021. House Republicans voted to remove Omar from the House Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday.

J. Scott Applewhite, AP

At least 10 dead from ice storm in the South

At least 10 people have died on treacherous highways since Monday, even as a large swath of the nation's South started to slowly defrost Thursday after an encounter with a wicked winter weather system. Seven of the deaths were in Texas, two were in Oklahoma and one in Arkansas. More than 550,000 homes and businesses in four states were also without power on Thursday. Meanwhile Northern states are bracing for an arctic blast expected to plunge temperatures way below zero in some spots. See the latest updates on the severe weather.

Crews clear ice from the Bush Turnpike near Preston Road on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Plano, Texas.

Crews clear ice from the Bush Turnpike near Preston Road on Wednesday in Plano, Texas.

Smiley N. Pool, The Dallas Morning News via AP

Real quick

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LeBron James relies on these traits as he chases scoring record

Heading into Thursday, LeBron James is only 88 points away from surpassing Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's all-time leading scorer. Throughout the course of his career, James has showcased several elite traits, but three have been particularly key: consistency, longevity and durability. Over the course of his 20 NBA seasons, James averaged at least 25 points in 19 seasons, including 30.2 in 41 games this season, and he has played in at least 90% of his team's games in 15 seasons. But the numbers don't tell the entire story of James' greatness.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James smiles during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Lakers forward LeBron James smiles during a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 25 in Los Angeles. James is on pace to break the NBA career scoring record in his next few games.

The Associated Press

Punxsutawney Phil's winter forecast

Punxsutawney Phil, America's beloved groundhog meteorologist, rose from his burrow and saw his shadow Thursday morning in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Phil's prediction was made official after speaking in "Groundhogese" with Groundhog Club president Tom Dunkel, who then translated the prediction to the world. Phil spotting his shadow means an additional six weeks of winter here in the U.S. The prediction comes as much of the country is already dealing with another major winter storm. Read more about Phil's annual forecast.

Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 137th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., on Thursday. Phil's handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter.

Barry Reeger, AP

A break from the news

•	🏢 Hybrid work: Shop these products to make you more comfortable at the office.
•	⛰️ Traveling across the U.S.: This family spent six years going to every national park.
•	🛌 Keep your mattress clean: How to deep clean where you sleep.

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