Dallas A 'Game-Changer' For Law Enforcement

Every American town that is visited by the evil of a mass shooting goes into a state of shock.

But what happened in Dallas - unlike Orlando, Aurora, Newtown and all the others - represents a first for a country blighted by violence.

That the victims were those who had sworn to protect and serve represents a game-changer in the tense debate over how law enforcement deals with the public.

:: Dallas Attacker 'Upset' Over Black Shootings

The officers died in the same week as two black men were very publicly gunned down by white officers.

It brought the Black Lives Matter campaign, simmering since Ferguson, back to the boil.

We will learn more about the motives of those who opened fire in Dallas, but such an attack on police should be a worry for everyone.

:: Heightened Tension After Series Of Killings

Dallas has been jolted in a way not seen for decades.

Just a few blocks from the scene of the shooting is Dealey Plaza, where a young, charismatic president was shot dead in broad, sunny daylight.

 That day in 1963 brought infamy to Dallas. Thursday night brought it again at a moment when modern America is being forced to examine itself.

On the surface, the community has come together. The police cars surrounding the cordoned off downtown area have seen dozens of locals deliver food, drink and condolences.

In a country where people are encouraged to thank those in uniform for their service, Dallas has seen an outpouring of support for those in blue.

Not everyone is of the same mind.

Ashley Washington, a mother of three boys, was one of those on the march who ran for cover when the shooting began.

She told me of the terror she felt, the utter life-changing shock of experiencing for real "something you only ever see on TV".

But when I asked her what should happen next, she said the black community had to stand up for itself or "they will kill us all one by one".

By "they" she meant the police. The anger has not subsided.

Bank Overdrafts 'Cost More Than Payday Loans'

Some banks are charging customers several times the fees of payday lenders to borrow money, an investigation by Which? has found.

Looking at unarranged overdraft charges, the consumer group found that consumers needing as little as £100 could be charged over 12 times more by major high street banks than the amount the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) allows payday lenders to charge.

Which? compared the cost of borrowing £100 for 28 days and found that charges at some high street banks were as much as £90 - up to four times the maximum charge of £22.40 on a payday loan.

It found that some RBS customers could face costs of £90, while customers at Lloyds, HSBC and TSB could face £80 in costs.

Unarranged overdrafts have already come under the spotlight recently as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has proposed that banks should set their own monthly unauthorised overdraft charge cap, which they would have to show clearly.

It is hoped that this would encourage banks to compete to drive down the costs, rather than having a single charge cap.

But Which? has argued the proposals are unlikely to make much of a difference as many banks already put their own caps on charges.

Which? said the FCA should review overdraft charges in the context of other forms of credit and crack down on "punitive" fees.

Alex Neill, director of policy and campaigns at Which?, said: "People with a shortfall in their finances can face much higher charges from some of the big high street banks than they would from payday loan companies.

"The regulator has shown it's prepared to take tough action to stamp out unscrupulous practices in the payday loans market, and must now tackle punitive unarranged overdraft charges that cause significant harm to some of the most vulnerable customers." 

RBS said in a statement: "We encourage all of our customers to contact us if they are going to enter unarranged overdraft regardless of the amount or the length of time.

"This is an expensive method of borrowing and there could be a number of alternative solutions such as putting an arranged overdraft in place, and the costs are considerably less."

Lloyds said unplanned overdrafts are designed for occasional spending rather than long-term borrowing and having an unarranged overdraft for a sustained period is not representative of typical current account behaviour.

The British Bankers' Association said: "Across the board overdraft charges have plummeted since 2008, with consumers saving up to an estimated £928 million over the past five years. 
 
"Banks are helping customers compare account charges in a variety of ways, from making them easier to understand to providing useful online calculators and mobile apps. 

"They also itemise charges on bank statements and use text alerts to communicate important account information instantly. 
 
"If a customer thinks they might go overdrawn, they should speak to their bank to arrange an overdraft to keep costs down.
 
"Some products allow a level of fee free overdraft." 

More British Troops Will Be Sent To Afghanistan

Britain will send dozens more troops to Afghanistan as the country's security situation continues to deteriorate.

David Cameron, attending the NATO summit in Warsaw this weekend, will announce the deployment of up to 50 more military personnel.

There are still 450 British troops in Afghanistan, who had been due to return the the UK at the end of this year but will now have their tours extended into next year.

The 50 additional personnel will mostly help to train the Afghan security forces: 21 will join the counter-terrorism missions, 13 will join the NATO Resolute Support mission and 15 will be involved in leadership training at the Afghan army's officer training academy.

The UK handed control of the country to Afghan troops in October 2014, after a war that cost the lives of 453 soldiers.

At the time, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said that Afghanistan was "no longer a safe haven for terrorists".

A British Government source, however, said that the additional deployments were "a reflection of the fact that there is still a job to be done in Afghanistan".

They said: "While (Afghan security forces) have made tremendous strides in recent years, it is clear that they still need our support - not in a combat capacity but in a NATO mission capacity of training and mentoring and generally improving their means of operation."

British officials said the UK would not be taking part in combat operations against the resurgent Taliban.

Britain will also commit an extra £178m to the Afghan government, on top of the £70m it has committed to the Afghan security forces until 2020.

Mr Cameron said he was determined that Britain should continue to play a leading role in the world, despite its recent vote to leave the European Union.

"Britain is not going to be playing a lesser role in the world. We will make sure that we use our strength, including through NATO, to spread British values and the things that we believe in," he said.

He added that NATO must continue to "work with the Afghan government and the Afghan security forces to help keep terrorists out of that country".

The news comes after US President Barack Obama announced that he will keep the remaining 8,400 US troops in Afghanistan for the rest of his presidency.

May Hits Back At Leadsom Motherhood Slur Claims

Theresa May has responded to a report that suggested her Tory leadership rival Andrea Leadsom was using her status as a mother to give her an advantage.

The Home Secretary has urged Mrs Leadsom to back her "clean campaign pledge" in a tweet, after the energy minister said being a mother makes her a better choice for Prime Minister than Mrs May because it gives her a "very real stake" in Britain's future prosperity.

The Times has now provided a transcript and audio of the interview and defended its report.

In highly personal remarks, Mrs Leadsom told the newspaper she was sure Mrs May must be "really sad" not to have children as she suggested that her motherhood status meant she had more invested in the future than her leadership rival.

"Genuinely I feel that being a mum means you have a very real stake in the future of our country," Mrs Leadsom said. 

Responding to the publication of the interview, which is on the front page of the newspaper's Saturday's edition, Mrs Leadsom said the way her words had been construed was "beyond disgusting".

"Truly appalling and the exact opposition of what I said. I am disgusted," tweeted the mother-of-three.

In tweets to The Times, she added: "This is despicable and hateful reporting. You must now provide the transcript - this is beyond disgusting.

"This is the worst gutter journalism I've ever seen. I am so angry - I can't believe this. How could you?"

In response, Emma Tucker, deputy editor at The Times, tweeted a copy of the interview transcript, in which the journalist asks Mrs Leadsom: "During the debates, you repeatedly said: 'as a mum'. Do you feel like a mum in politics?"

Mrs Leadsom's reply was: "Yes. I am sure Theresa will be really sad she doesn't have children so I don't want this to be 'Andrea has children, Theresa hasn't' because I think that would be really horrible.

"But genuinely I feel that being a mum means you have a very real stake in the future of our country - a tangible stake.

"She possibly has nieces, nephews, lots of people but I have children who are going to have children who will directly be a part of what happens next."

The interview comes just days after Mrs May spoke for the first time about the sadness she and her husband Phillip felt when they discovered they couldn't have children.

"Of course, we were both affected by it," she told the Mail on Sunday. 

"You see friends who now have grown-up children, but you accept the hand that life deals you. Sometimes things you wish had happened don't or there are things you wish you'd been able to do, but can't. There are couples in a similar position."

Mrs May revealed in the interview she and her husband of 35 years did seek expert advice in a bid to become parents - but it never happened.

Asked whether she felt it had affected her outlook as a politician, she said: "I don't think so, it's an impossible question because you can't tell what you'd have been like if you'd been in a different position."

The two women are going head-to-head to win the Conservative leadership race and become the next Prime Minister after Michael Gove, the Justice Secretary, was knocked out of the ballot of MPs on Thursday, picking up just 46 votes, against 84 for Mrs Leadsom and 199 for Mrs May.

Before the interview was released, Mrs May had issued a statement imploring her opponent to a fight a clean campaign and stay within the "acceptable limits" of political debate, in an acknowledgement of rancour shown on both sides during the EU referendum campaign.

Business Secretary Ann Soubry said Mrs Leadsom's comments meant she was "not PM material".

Tory MP Sarah Wollaston called for Mrs Leadsom to withdraw from the race.

She wrote on Twitter that Mrs Leadsom "has repeatedly shown that she lacks judgement & is not the right person to lead the nation. She should now withdraw."

One MP backing Mrs May told The Times the comments were "disgusting" and added: "I think it is going to insult a lot of Conservative activists as well as a lot of nice, decent people."

Tory MP Nadine Dorries, who is backing Mrs Leadsom, said on Twitter that every female politician who is a mum should draw on their motherhood. "She should do it more often," she added.

Armed forces minister Penny Mordaunt said the report was an attempt to "smear" Mrs Leadsom.

The Leadsom supporter told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Andrea's first thoughts will be with Theresa in this matter, it's a horrible thing to have happened to both candidates. But we have now got to raise our game and give a proper contest to the country."

Dallas Suspect Had Bomb Material At Home

Police have found bomb-making material, bullet-proof vests, rifles and ammunition while searching the home of the Dallas attack suspect.

Micah Xavier Johnson, 25, told a police negotiator he was upset at white people and wanted to kill them, especially white officers, before he was killed by a robot-delivered bomb.

Dallas police chief David Brown described the shootings, which killed five officers and injured seven officers and wounded two civilians, as a "well-thought-out evil tragedy".

Along with the weapons found at the home, police found a journal of combat tactics and this is being analysed by detectives.

Before he died, the 25-year-old said he was acting alone and was not affiliated with any terror group and those interviewed by police have described him as a loner.

According to a police report, Johnson had no criminal record.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said police believe that Johnson was the lone shooter, adding that he had "written manifestos on how to shoot, move, shoot, move".

"He did that...he did his damage.

"We believe now that the city is safe and that the suspect is dead and we can move onto healing."

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said, however, that it was important to determine whether there were any co-conspirators in the shooting.

He described the past day as "a veritable tale of two cities - the heroism of police officers but, at the same time, it has been a tale of cowardice of an assassin".

Among Johnson's Facebook likes were the African American Defense League and the New Black Panther Party.

The African American Defense League had posted on Facebook the day before the shootings which described police as "pigs" and called for supporters to "rally the troops...visit Louisiana and hold a barbecue".

The message was attributed to Dr Mauricelm-Lei Millere, one of the organisation's leaders.

Leaders of the New Black Panther Party have previously voiced anti-white and anti-Jewish opinions, blaming Jews for 9/11 and the slave trade, according to the Southern Poverty Law Centre.

The shootings took place at a protest against the recent fatal shootings of two black men by police.

Police say officers have also been targeted in Tennessee, Georgia and Missouri, with the attack in Tennessee occurring hours before the one in Dallas.

Floral tributes are left in memory of the officers shot dead

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says that the attacker told authorities he was frustrated by the killings of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota.

In Georgia, authorities said a man had called 911 reporting a break-in and had then ambushed the responding officer, sparking a shoot-out in which the officer and suspect were injured but both expected to survive.

No motive was revealed for the attacks in Georgia and Missouri, which police described as ambushes.

In another attack early on Friday local time, a motorist fired at a police car, shooting the officer three times.

Four officers were injured in the attacks, with the officer in St Louis still in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Antonio Taylor has been charged with the three felonies related to the incident and he is expected to appear in court on Monday.

Dallas Attacker 'Upset' Over Black Shootings

A gunman involved in a deadly attack in Dallas that killed five police officers said he was "upset" at recent fatal police shootings of black men.

The alleged attacker, identified as Micah Xavier Johnson, told a police negotiator he was upset at white people and wanted to kill them, especially white officers, before he was killed by a robot-delivered bomb.

Dallas police chief David Brown described the shootings, which also left seven officers and two civilians wounded, as a "well-thought-out evil tragedy".

Johnson had served in the Army Reserve for six years - and completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan between November 2013 and July 2014.

Before he died, the 25-year-old said he was acting alone and was not affiliated with any terror group.

:: Live: Dallas Suspect Wanted To Kill White Cops

Micah Johnson is believed to be the man who opened fire on police officers

The "ambush style" attack began at around 8.45pm on Thursday, as hundreds of people gathered to protest over fatal police shootings this week in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and suburban St Paul, Minnesota.

During the stand-off, Johnson told police that "the end is coming" and  there were bombs "all over downtown Dallas".

However, investigators said no explosives were found following "extensive sweeps" of the area.

It was the deadliest day for US law enforcement since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

Police had earlier said at least two "snipers" committed the shootings, but it remains unclear how many attackers were involved.

Two men and a woman were being questioned in connection with the attack, and Johnson's home in a suburb of Dallas - about an hour away from the scene of the shootings - has been searched by investigators.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch described the Dallas attack as an "unfathomable tragedy" but warned against the recent events turning into a "new normal" for America.

Police had earlier said at least two "snipers" committed the shootings, but it remains unclear how many attackers were involved.

Two men and a woman were being questioned in connection with the attack, and Johnson's home in a suburb of Dallas - about an hour away from the scene of the shootings - has been searched by investigators.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch described the Dallas attack as an "unfathomable tragedy" but warned against the recent events turning into a "new normal" for America.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama condemned the killing spree as a "vicious, calculated and despicable act".

He went on: "We also know that when people are armed with powerful weapons, unfortunately it makes attacks like these more deadly and more tragic.

"And in the days ahead we are going to have to consider those realities as well."

Brent Thompson, who was among the victims, had married a fellow police officer two weeks before his death

Two of the victims have been named as 43-year-old Brent Thompson, who worked for the city's transport police and had only recently got married, and Officer Patrick Zamarripa of the Dallas force.

Another of the victims was Michael Krol, who used to work at the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.

Mr Brown revealed negotiations with Johnson had broken down after an exchange of fire between the gunman and officers and they "saw no other choice" but to use a robot to detonate an explosive device next to him.

He said: "Other options would have exposed our officers to grave danger."

This is believed to be the first time that a US law enforcement agency has used a robot to kill an attacker.

The attack came amid protests across the US over recent police shootings.

On Tuesday, music vendor Alton Sterling was shot dead in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after being held down by police officers.

The following day, Philando Castile was in a car with his girlfriend and child when he was shot dead by an officer in Minnesota.

Both shootings were captured on mobile phones and the footage was widely shared.

Dallas Attacker 'Upset' Over Black Shootings

A gunman involved in a deadly attack in Dallas that killed five police officers said he was "upset" at recent fatal police shootings of black men.

The alleged attacker, identified as Micah Xavier Johnson, told a police negotiator he was upset at white people and wanted to kill them, especially white officers, before he was killed by a robot-delivered bomb.

Dallas police chief David Brown described the shootings, which also left seven officers and two civilians wounded, as a "well-thought-out evil tragedy".

Johnson had served in the Army Reserve for six years - and completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan between November 2013 and July 2014.

Before he died, the 25-year-old said he was acting alone and was not affiliated with any terror group.

:: Live: Dallas Suspect Wanted To Kill White Cops

Micah Johnson is believed to be the man who opened fire on police officers

The "ambush style" attack began at around 8.45pm on Thursday, as hundreds of people gathered to protest over fatal police shootings this week in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and suburban St Paul, Minnesota.

During the stand-off, Johnson told police that "the end is coming" and  there were bombs "all over downtown Dallas".

However, investigators said no explosives were found following "extensive sweeps" of the area.

It was the deadliest day for US law enforcement since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

Police had earlier said at least two "snipers" committed the shootings, but it remains unclear how many attackers were involved.

Two men and a woman were being questioned in connection with the attack, and Johnson's home in a suburb of Dallas - about an hour away from the scene of the shootings - has been searched by investigators.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch described the Dallas attack as an "unfathomable tragedy" but warned against the recent events turning into a "new normal" for America.

Police had earlier said at least two "snipers" committed the shootings, but it remains unclear how many attackers were involved.

Two men and a woman were being questioned in connection with the attack, and Johnson's home in a suburb of Dallas - about an hour away from the scene of the shootings - has been searched by investigators.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch described the Dallas attack as an "unfathomable tragedy" but warned against the recent events turning into a "new normal" for America.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama condemned the killing spree as a "vicious, calculated and despicable act".

He went on: "We also know that when people are armed with powerful weapons, unfortunately it makes attacks like these more deadly and more tragic.

"And in the days ahead we are going to have to consider those realities as well."

Brent Thompson, who was among the victims, had married a fellow police officer two weeks before his death

Two of the victims have been named as 43-year-old Brent Thompson, who worked for the city's transport police and had only recently got married, and Officer Patrick Zamarripa of the Dallas force.

Another of the victims was Michael Krol, who used to work at the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.

Mr Brown revealed negotiations with Johnson had broken down after an exchange of fire between the gunman and officers and they "saw no other choice" but to use a robot to detonate an explosive device next to him.

He said: "Other options would have exposed our officers to grave danger."

This is believed to be the first time that a US law enforcement agency has used a robot to kill an attacker.

The attack came amid protests across the US over recent police shootings.

On Tuesday, music vendor Alton Sterling was shot dead in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after being held down by police officers.

The following day, Philando Castile was in a car with his girlfriend and child when he was shot dead by an officer in Minnesota.

Both shootings were captured on mobile phones and the footage was widely shared.