Care for more British tea?
A few world leaders appear to be up to no good in London. A constitutional expert may or may not be Benedict Cumberbatch. And America's favorite stoner is giving up pot.
It's Ashley. Here's Wednesday's top news.
But first, mental health services are not just for times of crisis: Unlike "hotlines" for emergencies, “warmlines” can provide emotional support for those who need a little help.
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Tensions, disputes and some drama at NATO meetings
Several world leaders might end up on Queen Elizabeth's "naughty" list for the way they're handling NATO meetings in London. President Donald Trump called Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "two-faced" on Wednesday after a viral video circulated on social media showing several top NATO leaders appearing to mock the U.S. president. Taking questions after a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Trump said he “called [Trudeau] out" on the fact that Canada is not spending 2% of its GDP on defense spending, as required by NATO guidelines.
All eyes are on Princess Anne after the Buckingham Palace NATO reception. Here's why.
Benedict Cumberbatch, is that you?
The House Judiciary Committee held its first hearing in the impeachment inquiry into Trump on Wednesday, featuring testimony from four constitutional law experts who helped define what the Constitution describes as "high crimes and misdemeanors." House Democrats honed in on the substance of Trump's conduct regarding Ukraine while Republicans focused on the process of the impeachment inquiry. Meanwhile, the internet just couldn’t get over how one expert, Professor Noah Feldman of Harvard University, looks just like Benedict Cumberbatch. These are a few takeaways from Wednesday's hearing.
First lady Melania Trump slammed a impeachment witness’ comment about her son Barron.
What everyone’s talking about
As if last week's bomb cyclone wasn't enough, an "atmospheric river" began its assault Wednesday on parts of California and Arizona.
"We were saved:" Anna Faris' carbon monoxide scare serves as warning for travelers.
Peloton's latest holiday ad is … something else.
A 20-year-old college student was elected to office, making state history in Iowa.
Julianne Hough is breaking her silence on her controversial exit from "America's Got Talent."
Willie Nelson’s puffed his last joint
Country music legend and longtime marijuana legalization advocate Willie Nelson says that for health reasons, he’s done smoking weed. “I have abused my lungs quite a bit in the past, so breathing is a little more difficult these days," Nelson, said in an interview with KSAT-TV. “I don’t smoke anymore." Nelson, who started smoking cigarettes at a young age, did not specify how he consumes cannabis now. But his publicist confirmed to USA TODAY that he still uses cannabis — though she didn’t specify in what form. Are vapes and edibles any better?
700,000 people could lose food stamps
In a move that will knock hundreds of thousands of people off the federal food stamp rolls, the Trump administration on Wednesday formally tightened work requirements for the program that helps feed more than 36 million Americans. The new rule restricts states from exempting certain "work-eligible adults" from receiving food stamp benefits if they aren’t steadily employed. Brandon Lipps, deputy under secretary for the USDA's Food Nutrition and Consumer Services, said the change would save roughly $5.5 billion over five years. He said the department estimates that 74% of the "work-eligible adults" without dependents are not working. The change takes effect on April 1, 2020.
Real quick
Jackson State University was briefly locked down after an "active shooter” incident.
Attorney General William Barr said that if communities do not show more respect to law enforcement officers, they may lose "police protection."
Former President Jimmy Carter was released from the hospital after being admitted for an infection.
19 family members were rescued from a snowed-in cabin in Michigan.
Officials are continuing to warn consumers to not eat romaine lettuce from Salinas, California. More than 100 people have been infected with a strain of E. coli.
Devin Nunes is coming for CNN
California Rep. Devin Nunes filed a whopping $435 million defamation lawsuit against CNN on Tuesday. Nunes alleges that CNN – which the lawsuit describes as "the mother of fake news" – published a "demonstrably false hit piece" on him. In November, CNN reported that a lawyer for Lev Parna (an indicted associate of Rudy Giuliani) said his client was willing to testify that Nunes met with a former Ukrainian prosecutor in an effort to get dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden. In the filing, Nunes says he never met or spoke to the prosecutor and claims CNN ran the story as an "unmitigated act of retaliation against" him because he refuses to talk to the network.
A break from the news
Make holiday decorating easier (and way cooler) with these 5 smart gadgets.
What TV shows should you be watching? USA TODAY picked the 25 best series of 2019, from "Fleabag" to "Stranger Things."
Holiday shopping? These are the 10 most incredible gifts you can still buy.
This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump, NATO, impeachment hearing, Willie Nelson: Wednesday's news
