NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee House Republican leaders went on the defensive Thursday after surprising people who showed up to watch their lawmakers kick off this year’s work by asking some of them if they had a ticket to get in. The new and previously unpublicized requirement has only fueled lingering criticism that the GOP supermajority is unfairly flexing its .

In Tennessee, members of the public have traditionally been free to sit on either side of the House chamber while lawmakers in session. The public galleries allow family members,

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The center-right Greek government’s plans to received a major boost Thursday after the left-wing opposition leader pledged his party’s backing in parliament.

Syriza leader Stefanos Kasselakis said he would instruct his lawmakers to vote for the proposal, although he argued that it didn’t go far enough on parenthood rights.

Kasselakis, who married his male partner in New York in October, has expressed the desire to acquire children through a surrogate mother.

Syriza’s support would practically

WASHINGTON (AP) — Shortfalls in required monitoring by American officials mean the U.S. cannot track more than $1 billion in weapons and military equipment provided to , according to a Pentagon audit released Thursday.

The findings mean that 59% of $1.7 billion in defense gear that the U.S. has provided Ukraine and was directed to guard against misuse or theft remained “delinquent,” the report by the Defense Department’s office of the inspector-general, the watchdog body for the

BOSTON (AP) — The highest court in Massachusetts ruled Thursday to raise from 18 to 21 the minimum age at which a person can be sentenced to mandatory life without parole — a narrow 4-3 ruling that juvenile justice advocates are hailing as progress.

The decision came in the case of Sheldon Mattis, who was convicted of the 2011 killing of a Boston teen as part of a gang feud. Mattis was 18 at the time of the shooting and was sentenced to life without the possibility

DETROIT (AP) — The top U.S. telecommunications regulator is asking automakers how they plan to protect people from being stalked or harassed by partners who have access to vehicle location and other data.

In a letter sent Thursday to nine large automakers, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel asks for details about connected car systems and plans to support people who have been harassed by domestic abusers.

“No survivor of domestic violence and abuse should have to choose between giving up their car and allowing themselves to be stalked and harmed

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A man whose truck rammed two police vehicles and then used a chain to swing a metal object at officers was shot to death by police outside of an Iowa casino, state authorities said.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation identified the man killed as 55-year-old Salvador Perez-Garcia of Sioux City, Iowa. Names of the officers were not released. Both are on leave pending an investigation by the sate agency.

The DCI said a Sioux City officer was parked

Winter storm warnings are in place for Toronto and across most of southern Ontario as a system bringing strong wind and blowing snow barrels towards the city in time for the weekend.

Toronto and much of the GTA are currently under storm warnings that stretch east to Ottawa. Environment Canada’s advisory is now calling for 10 to 25 cm of snowfall with strong wind gusts and blowing snow resulting in reduced visibility. Motorists are being advised to avoid travel if possible.

“Snow [will be] heavy at times and is

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The U.S. Virgin Islands will soon build its first artificial reef to protect its coasts and help the U.S. territory become more resilient ahead of future storms, officials announced Thursday.

The 18-foot (5-meter) by 12-foot (4-meter) reef will be installed near the coast around St. Thomas and is expected to be completed by July, according to the islands’ department of planning and natural resources.

The

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — A member of the Nicaraguan opposition was shot seven times and in serious condition in Costa Rica, authorities in that country said Thursday.

Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation department said that 34-year-old Joao Maldonado was shot Wednesday by two attackers aboard a motorcycle while he was driving with his partner near Costa Rica University on the east side of the capital.

Authorities said the attack was still under investigation and declined to comment on any possible motive. They said bullet fragments