Daily Briefing: Deadly storm pounds the Northeast

A deadly storm battered the Northeast, killing at least four people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands. Pope Francis has approved blessings for same-sex couples − if they don't resemble marriage. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, will be laid to rest.

👋🏾 I'm Jane, Daily Briefing author. What was the best movie of 2023? These are our top 10.

Now, here's Tuesday's news.

Deadly storm pounds the Northeast, knocking out power and grounding flights

An intense storm system battered the Northeast with torrential rains and fierce winds Monday, knocking out power, forcing flight cancellations and killing at least four people. Warnings were issued in more than a half dozen states from North Carolina to Maine. Power was knocked out for hundreds of thousands in an area stretching north from Virginia through New England as of early Tuesday morning, according to poweroutage.us. AccuWeather meteorologists warned that colder air will sweep in Tuesday, with brief bursts of heavy snow that could be dangerous for motorists. Read more

• Southwest Airlines fined for meltdown that canceled nearly 17,000 flights last holiday season.

Pope Francis approves blessings for same-sex couples if they don’t resemble marriage

Pope Francis has formally permitted priests to perform blessings for same-sex couples, a move that stops short of sanctioning same-sex marriages. The Vatican document released Monday says the blessing should not be conferred at the same time as a civil union, using set rituals or with clothing and gestures that are part of a wedding. Jim Bretzke, a priest and professor of theology, said that while the Pope will likely face criticism from both those who oppose same-sex marriage and supporters who don't feel the church has gone far enough, the document is a "very positive contribution." Read more

More news to know now

• Driver who rammed a van in Joe Biden's security detail motorcade charged with DUI.

• Rescuers battle freezing temperatures after earthquake kills over 110 in northwest China.

• Federal appeals court rejects former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows' request to move Georgia trial to federal court.

• For subscribers: Ford just added 100 photos of concept cars hidden for decades to its online archive.

• On today's The Excerpt podcast, Gov. Abbott has signed a law allowing Texas law enforcement to arrest migrants. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your smart speaker.

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Israel strikes south Gaza and raids a hospital as war grinds on with renewed US support

Israeli strikes killed at least 28 Palestinians in southern Gaza and troops raided one of the last functioning hospitals in the north as the country pressed ahead with its offensive against Hamas on Tuesday. Israeli forces raided the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City according to the church that operates it and detained most of its staff. After meeting with Israeli officials Monday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signaled that the U.S. would continue shielding Israel from growing international calls for a cease-fire as the United Nations Security Council was set to hold another vote Tuesday. Read more

Jonathan Majors dropped by Marvel Studios after being found guilty of assault

A Manhattan jury convicted Jonathan Majors of assaulting his former girlfriend Grace Jabbari on Monday, concluding a two-week trial that the actor hoped would salvage his damaged reputation. The jury found Majors guilty of one misdemeanor assault charge and one harassment violation. The "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" star was also acquitted of a different assault charge and of aggravated harassment. Majors' sentencing was set for Feb. 6. He faces the possibility of up to a year in jail for the assault conviction. Read more

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• Too late to buy an Apple Watch for Christmas? Apple pauses Ultra 2, Series 9 sales.

• Kenough waiting: Stream the "Barbie" movie on Max.

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to be laid to rest at funeral

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will be laid to rest with funeral services Tuesday. President Joe Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts are scheduled to speak at the funeral for the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. O’Connor was an Arizona native who served as an unwavering voice of moderate conservatism on the high court for more than two decades. The rancher’s daughter was nominated in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan and came to wield considerable influence on the nine-member court. O’Connor retired at age 75 and died Dec. 1 in Phoenix. Read more

• Sandra Day O'Connor was the first woman justice. Biden wanted her to own it.

Photo of the day: Iceland volcano erupts in spectacular show

A volcano has erupted in southwestern Iceland, spewing semi-molten rock into the air in a spectacular show of Earth's power in the land known for fire and ice. Icelandic broadcaster RUV showed a live feed of the eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula − about 31 miles southwest of the capital, Reykjavik − on its website as Christmas carols played in the background. Read more

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Associated Press contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deadly storm, Pope Francis, Israel-Hamas war, Jonathan Majors: Daily Briefing