- Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
- Lonely this Christmas: Vendee skippers in low-key celebrations on high seas
- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
- Germany pledges security inquest into Christmas market attack
- Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 41
- Joshua bout only fight left for beaten Fury says promoter Hearn
- Odermatt stays hot to break Swiss World Cup wins record
- Neville says Rashford's career at Man Utd nearing 'inevitable ending'
- Syria's new leader vows not to negatively interfere in Lebanon
- Germany pledges security inquest after Christmas market attack
- Putin vows 'destruction' on Ukraine after Kazan drone attack
- Understated Usyk seeks recognition among boxing legends
- France awaits appointment of new government
Texas police face scrutiny over 'late' massacre response
Desperate parents scuffled with police and pleaded with them to storm the Texas school where a gunman ultimately killed 19 children and two teachers, new video showed Thursday, as questions mounted over the authorities' response to the massacre.
In one jolty, nearly seven minute clip posted on YouTube, parents living a nightmare -- a school shooting under way with their kids inside -- are seen screaming expletives at police behind yellow tape trying to keep them away from Robb Elementary School in the town of Uvalde.
"It's my daughter!" one woman bellows amid chaotic scenes of moaning, crying and shoving.
In another shorter video, parents mill around what is apparently the rear of the school, and complain angrily that police are doing nothing as the worst school shooting in a decade is unfolding.
One woman, frantic about her son, yells to police, "if they've got a shot, shoot him or something. Go on."
Jacinto Cazares, whose daughter Jacklyn died in Tuesday's massacre, said he raced to the school when he heard about the shooting.
"There was at least 40 lawmen armed to the teeth but didn't do a darn thing (until) it was far too late," Cazares told ABC News Wednesday night.
"The situation could've been over quick if they had better tactical training."
Daniel Myers and his wife Matilda -- both local pastors -- told AFP they saw parents at the scene growing frantic as police appeared to wait on reinforcements before entering the school.
"Parents were desperate," said Daniel Myers, 72. "They were ready to go in. One family member, he says: 'I was in the military, just give me a gun, I'll go in. I'm not going to hesitate. I'll go in.'"
- 40 minutes -
The tight-knit Latino community was changed forever when Salvador Ramos, an 18-year-old with a history of being bullied, entered the school with an assault rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
According to the Austin Statesman, authorities are examining the police response, including what steps they took to stop the gunman.
Texas Department of Public Safety director Steven McCraw told CNN Ramos was inside for about 40 minutes before police managed to shoot and kill him.
Officials say he was confronted by a school resource officer, but was able to enter through a back door, making his way to two adjoining classrooms where he started shooting.
Hearing shots from the school, police officers at first ran inside and themselves came under gunfire.
Some police started to break windows and evacuate children and teachers, while law enforcement helped pin the shooter in place until a tactical team that included US Border Patrol agents was assembled.
Border Patrol chief Raul Ortiz said the force's agents "didn't hesitate."
"They came up with a plan. They entered that classroom and they took care of the situation as quickly as they possibly could," Ortiz told CNN.
- 'I have no words' -
Speaking out for the first time, Ramos's mother Adriana Reyes told ABC News her son could be aggressive when angry but was "not a monster" -- and that she was not aware he had been buying weapons.
"I had an uneasy feeling sometimes, like 'what are you up to?,'" she told ABC Wednesday evening. "We all have a rage, that some people have it more than others."
Authorities said Ramos shot his 66-year-old grandmother in the face before attacking the school.
"Those kids... I have no words," Reyes said through tears. "I don't know what to say about those poor kids."
The Uvalde shooting was the deadliest since 20 elementary-age children and six staff were killed at the Sandy Hook school in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012.
- 'Common sense' -
The Georgia-based gun manufacturer Daniel Defense said it was its "understanding" that Ramos used a weapon made by the company, without specifying how he obtained it.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and community devastated by this evil act," the company said in a statement to AFP, promising its full cooperation with investigators.
Pressed Wednesday on how Ramos was able to obtain the murder weapon, Texas Governor Greg Abbott brushed aside suggestions tougher gun laws were needed in his state -- where attachment to the right to bear arms runs deep.
But in the shooting's wake President Joe Biden -- who will head to Uvalde in coming days -- has called on lawmakers to take on America's powerful gun lobby and enact "common sense gun reforms."
Gun control activists and lawmakers addressed reporters outside the US Capitol on Thursday, vowing no let-up in their efforts in the run-up to November's midterm elections.
"Gun violence prevention is going to be on the ballot," said the Democratic senator from Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal
The March for Our Lives -- founded by survivors of the 2018 Parkland school shooting in Florida -- has meanwhile called for nationwide protests on June 11 to press for gun control.
A.Malone--AMWN