Lewis Hamilton says he is “confident” security has improved around the Brazilian Grand Prix track for this year’s race at Interlagos.

Last year, members of Hamilton’s Mercedes team were robbed at gun point leaving the track, one of a number of incidents over the race weekend.

Hamilton said: “I have always been safe here in Brazil so I have not approached any races here with safety on my mind.

“But I am confident F1 and the teams have taken action after last year.”

Governing body the FIA says a series of measures have been taken to ensure F1 personnel are at reduced risk leaving the circuit, a time at which incidents have become increasingly common in recent years.

In one of those incidents, former world champion Jenson Button escaped from men with machine guns in 2010.

The new measures include increased police numbers and better targeting of the times when the police presence is deployed.

“They took action to try and put things in place to improve it and I am assured,” Hamilton said. “I do feel confident it is improved. We don’t know what’s around the corner but I am hopeful of a positive weekend for everyone.”

Another title still to win

Hamilton sealed his fifth drivers’ title at the last race in Mexico. In previous years when he has clinched a championship before the end of the season he has failed to win another race, and he says he is determined to break that pattern.

Mercedes are hoping to tie up the constructors’ championship this weekend, and will do so as long as Ferrari do not outscore them by more than 12 points.

But Hamilton pointed out that Mercedes had lacked competitiveness in the last two races in the US and Mexico.

“If you look at the last two races, we’ve struggled,” he said. “I don’t know how it’s going to be at the next two races and I can’t really explain to you why it’s been so difficult for us the last two races, particularly the last one.

“But I am really hopeful we get in the car this weekend and it feels more normal and we are more competitive.

“We still have a job to do this weekend, which is to win the constructors’ title, so the focus remains exactly the same as it has done the previous races in my mind.”

He said he and the team did not yet fully understand why they had struggled so much in Mexico, where he finished fourth.

“It is not always the case you find all the solutions,” he said. “So I am confident everyone has worked as hard as they can to rectify it and push forward but it might take this race and even the next race before we fully understand it.

“But I think it just points to the fact that there is still even at this time of the year things you can learn from and improve. Or methods you can apply to next year which will be important, so even though they have not been great races they have been steep learning curves for us.”

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel said: “We try everything we can. We go flat out and try and score more points. We saw in the last race how quickly things can change when you struggle with tyres. We keep our head down and try our best.”

No gifts for Bottas

Now that the drivers’ championship is secured, Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas will be free to race the Briton again.

But Hamilton said he would not be gifting any wins to the Finn, to pay Bottas back for ceding victory to his team-mate in Russia three races ago.

“The team are not going to make that call,” Hamilton said. “I have not asked Valtteri if he would want that but he is not going to want that. He is going to want to win it his own way.

“I don’t know if I’d be doing him any favours in the sense of giving him a win. I don’t think he needs it anyway. I think he can do it himself.

“All I can do is try to make sure I’m supportive throughout the process throughout the weekend. I’m always really open with my set-up so I will continue to do so.”

Bottas confirmed: “I definitely don’t want to win by it being given to me. I’d want to win by winning myself.”

Red Bull are not expecting to challenge

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen dominated in Mexico but he said the team would be unlikely to be able to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari in Brazil.

The nature of the Mexico City track negates some of the power deficit in Red Bull’s Renault engine and emphasises they strength in high-downforce aerodynamics.

But Interlagos is different. Verstappen said: “There are not enough corners to make up the losses we had on the straight. We don’t have enough power.

“Here, the straight is uphill and always turning, so the car is scrubbing speed and it makes it even worse. And with the downforce we have on the cars the corners are all a bit more easier. Same scenario we have in Silverstone where a few years ago it was like a proper track with proper corners but now so much is flat out that it gets more painful for us. There is not much we can do.”

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At least half a million people in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan have been killed due to the so-called “war on terror” launched by the United States in the wake of September 11, 2001 attack, according to a study published on Thursday.

The report by the Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs put the death toll between 480,000 and 507,000.

But the paper acknowledged that the numbers of people killed is an “undercount” due to limitations in reporting and “great uncertainty in any count of killing in war”.

“We may never know the total direct death toll in these wars,” wrote Nera Crawford, the author of the paper titled “Human Cost of the Post-9/11 Wars: Lethality and the Need for Transparency.”

“For example, tens of thousands of civilians may have died in retaking Mosul and other cities from ISIS [also known as ISIL] but their bodies have likely not been recovered.”

The report states that between 182,272 and 204,575 civilians have been killed in Iraq, 38,480 in Afghanistan, and 23,372 in Pakistan.

‘War remains intense’

Nearly 7,000 US troops were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan in the same time period.

The death toll includes civilians, armed fighters, local police and security forces, and US and allied troops.

People who were indirectly killed as a result of war, such as through disease or bad infrastructure, were not included in the report. 

In a statement, Brown University said the new toll “is a more than 110,000 increase over the last count, issued just two years ago in August 2016.”

“Though the war on terror is often overlooked by the American public, press and lawmakers, the increased body count signals that, far from diminishing, this war remains intense.”

As an example, the US war in Afghanistan, which has been the country’s longest military invasion for 17 years, has lessened in intensity in recent years, but the number of civilians in 2018 has been one of the highest death tolls in the war.

Manchester United will be the underdogs when they go to Etihad Stadium to play neighbours Manchester City on Sunday – but who will prevail?

“I feel that the ball has just started to run for United a little bit,” BBC Sport’s football expert Mark Lawrenson said. “Look at their last-gasp wins over Bournemouth and Juventus this week.

“When you keep scoring important last-minute goals, it is great for you and it also worries the opposition a little bit.

“Yes, City are favourites but I don’t think this will be straightforward for them at all.”

Lawro is making predictions for all 380 top-flight matches this season, against a variety of guests.

This week’s guests are WWE wrestlers Dolph Ziggler and his tag-team partner Drew McIntyre.

Drew is a Rangers fan – and has been from a very early age.

He explained to BBC Sport: “My family supports Rangers and Celtic and, when you are a baby, they leave out the two tops and you crawl towards one of them.

“I believe I crawled to the Rangers top when I was a kid.”

The 33-year-old from Ayr is enjoying life under current Gers boss Steve Gerrard and thinks he might bring the glory days back to Ibrox – although it might take a while.

“Gerrard played with his heart, which is something we were missing,” McIntyre explained.

“He is drilling it into his team and we are on the rise. In the next couple of seasons I think we are going to be right back in it, competing with Celtic.”

“It would be sweet to win something this season but I am being realistic – and it is amazing that we are back where we are right now.”

A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.

LAWRO’S PREDICTIONS

All kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless stated.

SATURDAY

Cardiff v Brighton (12:30 GMT)

Four of the Premier League’s bottom five are at home this weekend, and I think we might see a few of them picking up some points.

I have not backed Cardiff to win a game so far this season, but they always have a real go at teams at home and Saturday will be no different – they are not going to change the way they play.

Brighton won at Newcastle last month but their top-flight away record is poor and they do not create too many opportunities on the road.

So the Bluebirds will see this one as winnable, and I think they will pick up three vital points.

Lawro’s prediction: 1-0

Dolph & Drew’s prediction: 1-1

Huddersfield v West Ham

Huddersfield will be full of confidence after getting a much-needed first win of the season against Fulham on Monday.

Now they are back at home again, in another game they will think they can get something out of.

West Ham can blow hot and cold so it is difficult to know what to expect from them, but we do know the Terriers do not score many – so I cannot see there being many goals in this one.

Lawro’s prediction: 1-1

Dolph & Drew’s prediction: 1-2

Leicester v Burnley

Leicester were playing for their late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in their win at Cardiff last week, and their first home game since he was killed along with four other people in a helicopter crash at King Power Stadium is sure to be another emotional day.

It is the first time the players and the home fans have all been together since the tragedy happened and the one thing that Leicester will not want to do in memory of the man is be beaten.

Lawro’s prediction: 2-1

Dolph & Drew’s prediction: 2-0

Newcastle v Bournemouth

Like Huddersfield, Newcastle picked up their first win of the season last week, which will have been a massive weight lifted off their players’ shoulders.

The Magpies also get the chance to follow up that win against beatable opposition, and on home turf too.

When I say “beatable”, I mean that as good as Bournemouth have been this season, it is not as though the Magpies are going away to play a top-four team.

As a player, when you finally win a game after a long wait, it can change your mindset. I am not saying the Magpies are going to surge up the table, but this is a chance for Rafa Benitez’s side to carry on their momentum.

Lawro’s prediction: 2-0

Dolph & Drew’s prediction: (Dolph) Newcastle? I have had their beer. Does Bournemouth have a beer or a drink? No? Sorry, Newcastle up. 2-0

Southampton v Watford

Southampton are really struggling at the moment, but I don’t think their 6-1 defeat by Manchester City will play on their minds too much here.

It is more Saints’ lack of goals at home that is a problem – they have managed only three in five games so far.

After three draws and two defeats, Mark Hughes’ side are still waiting for their first home win of the season too.

Will they get it against an inconsistent Watford side that lost to Newcastle last time out? Yes.

I am officially declaring this ‘bottom of the table week’ because this is another winnable game for a team in and around the relegation zone.

Lawro’s prediction: 2-0

Dolph & Drew’s prediction: 1-2

Crystal Palace v Tottenham (17:30 GMT)

With two points from five games this season, Crystal Palace have the worst home record in the Premier League – even worse than Southampton’s.

But the Eagles showed what they are capable of with their 2-2 draw against Arsenal the last time they played at Selhurst Park, and I am expecting something similar on Saturday.

This is another London derby, and they are almost always tight. Also, Tottenham have had lots of games recently – on some iffy pitches – which won’t help them either.

Lawro’s prediction: 1-1

Dolph & Drew’s prediction: (Dolph) Crystal Palace? It sounds like a restaurant by my house. Who are they playing? Spurs? What is that? Oh they are the good team, right? There is no stopping Harry Kane. 0-3

SUNDAY

Liverpool v Fulham (12:00 GMT)

Liverpool had a bad night against Red Star in Belgrade on Tuesday – in every department.

Their passing was poor, defensively they weren’t great and although they created a few opportunities, their finishing wasn’t up to scratch either.

From one to 11, they were ordinary and, as well as the fact they lost, the worrying thing for the Reds was that they looked like a one-trick pony.

They have not suddenly become a bad side, though. It is more that Jurgen Klopp tried to change his team around a little bit and it did not work.

And I don’t see them struggling against Fulham either.

The Cottagers are having a disastrous run that has seen them fall to the bottom of the table, and I think they will lose for a seventh successive game on Sunday.

Lawro’s prediction: 3-0

Dolph & Drew’s prediction: 4-0

Chelsea v Everton (14:15 GMT)

Everton got a good win against Brighton last week and played really well too.

But scoring goals against the Seagulls at home is completely different to doing it at Stamford Bridge and it is hard to see past a Chelsea win here.

There is still a question mark over Blues striker Alvaro Morata, despite his goals against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

It was a good day for Morata, but he has had plenty of bad days too, and he needs to repeat that kind of form in the next 10 games to prove himself.

The good news for Chelsea is that they know they can always rely on Eden Hazard to get them out of trouble if they need it.

Lawro’s prediction: 2-0

Dolph & Drew’s prediction: 2-2

Arsenal v Wolves (16:30 GMT)

The more I see of Arsenal, the more I think what a good job Unai Emery has done since taking charge of the Gunners, and with the minimum of fuss.

Arsenal were very impressive again in their draw with Liverpool, and I am expecting more of the same this time around.

Wolves have now lost three games in a row but, whatever happens here, I don’t think they are in danger of slipping too far down the table – they have got too much quality for that.

Lawro’s prediction: 2-0

Dolph & Drew’s prediction: 3-1

Man City v Man Utd (16:30 GMT)

The way Jose Mourinho’s side have been fighting back in games recently is like the United of old. Even if you have got a lead against them, you know they are going to come back.

City’s fans might turn up at Etihad Stadium thinking they have done Southampton and Shakhtar for six, and now they will take United – but football is rarely that simple.

On a similar note, United fans might be optimistic because of their win at the Etihad towards the end of last season, but I don’t see that happening again.

I don’t see City winning either, though. I usually always fancy them so much to win at home, but with United being so resilient, I am going to go for a draw.

Lawro’s prediction: 1-1

Dolph & Drew’s prediction: (Dolph) I have got to go with the team that I have actually talked to and hung out with and thought they were great, so I am going to stick with Manchester City – although it is going to be a close one. 3-2

How did Lawro do last week?

Last week, Lawro got nine correct results, with no perfect scores, from 10 matches for a total of 90 points.

He was beaten by Matt Kean and Matt Nicholls, bassist and drummer in rock band Bring Me The Horizon, who got five correct results, with no exact scores, for a total of 50 points.

GUEST LEADERBOARD 2018-19

Lawro’s best score: 260 points (week seven v Karl Pilkington)

Lawro’s worst score: 40 points (week three v Idris Elba and week eight v Chris Stark)

September’s general elections left Sweden with a hung parliament. Two months later, negotiations between parties have not resulted in a viable government. The deadlock is an effect of the new political skyline: Most notably, the old colossus of social democracy has eroded further as its supporters spread out across the surrounding landscape. 

The Social Democratic Party, which once governed the country for 40 consecutive years, received an unprecedented low share of votes at 28.3 percent. Large parts of the party’s voters have turned to the populist Sweden Democrats, who broke a new electoral record this year by gaining 17.6 percent of the votes – up from just 12.9 percent four years ago.                          

The elections clearly manifested a decoupling of workers from leftist politics, and many Swedes see the results and the following attempts by the Social Democrats to cobble together a government across the political centre as the latest humiliation for an increasingly irrelevant party.

Journey to the centre

In order to survive under neoliberal hegemony, Swedish and European social democracy have moved towards the political centre under the banner of supposedly post-conflict Third Way politics. This is actually an adoption of neoliberal ideology, justifying market liberalisation, privatisation and welfare degradation as the only alternative. Over time, the move has effectively narrowed the political field and resulted in rising inequality. Today, Sweden shows the largest growth in inequality among OECD-countries.

As mainstream parties have started to look more and more the same, right-wing populists have managed to use ethnocentric xenophobia, welfare chauvinism and contempt of elites to attract those disenchanted by consensus politics.

This process has been chronicled in decades of writing by post-Marxist political theorists Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe, who have found new renown as key thinkers on the present “populist moment”. Mouffe, in a recent interview, stated bluntly: “In my view, those who are responsible for this situation are the social democrats. Those are the parties who abandoned the popular classes”.

For evidence of this, one needs look no further than the Social Democratic Party government’s recent intervention in an entrenched labour conflict in Gothenburg harbour. Here, Social Democrats adopted the view that the independent stevedore union (excluded from negotiations with employers, although it represents a majority of workers), with its disturbing ability to shut down traffic in northern Europe’s largest harbour, needed to be pacified.                                         

In corporatist union with the more compliant Swedish Trade Union Confederation and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (whose former chairman was forced to resign over tax evasions made public in the so-called Paradise Papers scandal), Social Democrats proceeded to attack hard-won strike rights and independent labour unions. Preservation of the “non-conflict” status quo, benefiting entrenched power, clearly took precedence over workers’ interests.                                                     

The Social Democratic Party has reacted to the rise in populist sentiment partly by incorporating some of nationalist Sweden Democrats’ concerns and rhetoric. In Laclau’s vocabulary, this can be described as a challenged regime trying to appropriate oppositional demands in order to disarm contra-hegemonic actors. Consequently, the party has found itself trying, unsuccessfully, to reinvent itself as a centrist party, promising voters welfare and liberal capitalism and limited migration and openness and security and tradition.

The Social Democratic Party’s desperate post-election bargaining with the mainstream right threatens to further aggravate popular discontent.

This is especially likely since its leader, Stefan Lofven, instantly moved the debate into what Mouffe has referred to as a “moral register” – where hard lines are drawn between friends and enemies – by calling on all “decent parties” to come to an agreement that will keep Sweden Democrats out of power.

The rhetoric pushes mainstream parties even closer towards each other, while implicitly branding popular dissent as “indecent”. This could result in the Social Democrats tacitly supporting a right-wing government in order to sideline Sweden Democrats.

Leftist populism as a way forward?

In response to the increasingly dismal situation, Swedish leftist writers Goran Greider and Asa Linderborg have argued in favour of a leftist populism to counter neoliberal hegemony as well as its right-wing challengers. They do so amid a recent surge in left-wing populism across the world, which would undoubtedly indicate that the populist moment is open for the left as well.

Greider and Linderborg follow Laclau and Mouffe quite closely in connecting the decline of social democracy with the rise of right-wing populism. The solution for Sweden, they argue, is a revitalised left, organised around a new understanding of “the people”, including all those negatively affected by neoliberalism. They aim to replace the populist right-wing model of “People vs Elites/Foreigners” with one of “People vs Elites/Capital”.

While this certainly appears to be a move in the right direction, the politics proposed is still so loosely defined that it’s hard to determine if the writers want to see a rejuvenated social democracy once again appropriating oppositional demands – including contempt of elites and concern for class, gender, race and the environment – or if they envision the type of pluralist alliance championed by Laclau and Mouffe.

The difference is perhaps most visible in the treatment of class. Greider and Linderborg claim that “class is not primarily an identity, it is something that one is, regardless if one feels like it or not”. This statement is diametrically opposed to Laclau and Mouffe’s view that “class struggle is just one species of identity politics and one which is becoming less and less important in the world in which we live.” From this latter perspective, the assertion that class is somehow more fundamental than other identities is seen as an attempt to gain a dominant position by those claiming to represent the working class.

Therefore, the issue is fundamental in the determination of hierarchies within any progressive coalition. Its import was made clear when it caused a fruitful working relationship between Laclau and Slavoj Zizek to deteriorate into a petty squabble. More ominously, the fact that two associated white, male, leftist academics of roughly the same age ended up in irresoluble disagreement gives a practical demonstration of the challenge this matter poses to a diverse movement.

The question of geographic organisation is perhaps equally problematic. In passing, Greider and Linderborg make approving remarks about ideas like European redistributive politics and global democracy. But the main thrust of their argument is that the working class, “while waiting” for such fantasies to somehow materialise, should “look after its interests where it lives and works” – the nation-state.

It is surely important to ground any progressive struggle at the local and national level, but any form of socialism in one country would be easily disassembled by institutionalised neoliberalism or circumnavigated by nomadic capital. Thus, it’s hard to imagine a successful struggle that is not based on a transnational and multiscalar strategy.

A reinvention of Swedish Social Democracy according to Greider and Linderborg’s model would undoubtedly be preferable to a continued drift towards the centre. However, their apparent privileging of class may hinder the forming of broad coalitions, and their focus on the national scale threatens to leave them isolated in a sea of neoliberalism. 

Considering the weight ascribed to political vision in populist politics, it’s ironic that Greider and Linderborg display a certain lack of it here. If one of the components of successful politics at this time is to dream and talk big, it seems rather counterproductive of the left not to put its back into it.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.

Europa League reaction: Welbeck injured in Arsenal draw, Giroud ends Chelsea goal drought – Live – BBC Sport

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One person was confirmed dead after a stabbing incident during rush hour in the Australian city of Melbourne, police said on Friday, as the city was placed on lockdown.

Victoria Police said the unnamed attacker is in “critical condition” at the hospital following the incident, which left one of the victims dead. 

Police said officers “initially responded to a report of a car on fire” in the city centre at around 4:20pm local time, as people began to leave work for the weekend.

“A man was arrested at the scene and has been taken to hospital under police guard in a critical condition,” the statement said.

Bourke Street: A man has reportedly been shot by police after setting his car on fire this afternoon. Melbourne’s CBD is currently in lock down between Elizabeth Street and Russell Street and police are urging people to avoid the area. Latest on 7 News at 6.00pm #7News pic.twitter.com/kRP18q56UH

— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) November 9, 2018

A police spokesman later said that authorities are not looking for any other offender, adding that the investigation is at the “very early stage”, and that there is “no known link to terrorism” so far.

Local media showed video footage of a man in a dark tunic slashing and stabbing wildly at two police officers as the vehicle burned, before being shot with a weapon.

Paramedics said they assessed three people at the scene, one with a neck injury: “They are in a suspected critical condition.”

“A second person has been taken to hospital with a head injury. Condition not yet known. A third person has also been taken to hospital.”

Police warned people to avoid the area, but said they “are not looking for anyone further at this early stage.”

“The exact circumstances are yet to be determined at this stage. The area has been cordoned off,” police said.

Al Jazeera’s Andrew Thomas, reporting from Sydney, said there have been a number of attacks in Australia that at the time of the incidents “were thought to be” related to “terrorism”.

“[But] then, when the background of the person has been looked into, they’ve had mental health issues and no association with any known groups.”

SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies

Tottenham have been warned by an advertising watchdog after a promotion which claimed their new stadium would be the “only place in London” to watch Champions League football this season.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has sent the club an advice notice and told them to avoid making claims they cannot fulfil.

Spurs have used Wembley as their home, with work on their stadium overrunning.

A fan of North London rivals Arsenal complained to the ASA.

The new stadium, on the site of their old White Hart Lane ground, is now not set to open until at least January 2019.

And Tottenham face a battle to qualify for the Champions League knockout stage, needing to win both their final group matches against Inter Milan and Barcelona.

Two complaints, including one from an Arsenal supporter, were made to the advertising regulator.

An ASA spokesman said: “The complainants challenged whether the ad was misleading because the building work of the new stadium has not been completed, therefore it is unlikely customers will get a chance to watch Tottenham play in the Champions League at the new stadium.

“While we considered there were potential problems under our advertising rules we did not consider the issues raised were so significant as to warrant a full formal investigation. This case was assessed and dealt with via an advice notice.

“In this instance, we contacted Tottenham Hotspur and advised them to avoid making claims in future advertising that they cannot fulfil; to avoid disappointing customers. We also advised them that if the ad is still appearing to ensure it is removed. ”

Spurs declined to comment, although it is understood the advert was only ever scheduled to run from May to June of this year.

The club announced in September they would play all three home Champions League group matches at Wembley as they continued to wait for the move into their new stadium.

Tottenham were the only London club to finish in the top four of the Premier League last season,

A digital billboard campaign, which appeared to show a picture of their unfinished 62,000-seat stadium, featured the words: “The only place to watch Uefa Champions League in London.”

Underneath it said: “Time is running out to secure premium seats at Spurs’ new stadium.”

Alicia Wagner says she moved her family six years ago from the affluent Los Angeles-area enclave of Pacific Palisades to the sleepier and more distant Thousand Oaks, in the Santa Monica Mountains, away from urban hustle and bustle.

“We wanted a quieter, more peaceful lifestyle,” said 46-year-old Wagner, a photo archivist who shares a spacious, two-storey home with her husband, Steve Vincent, a Walt Disney Company executive, their five children and two large dogs in the Westlake Village community. 

Thousand Oaks, known to locals as “TO” and named for the abundance of trees that dot the sprawling city of 127,000 people in the foothills of the Conejo Valley, has long been touted as one of the lowest-crime municipalities of its size in America.

It was named the third-safest city in the United States this year by Niche, a real estate research firm that ranks communities by school quality, income, crime and other factors.

That reputation was shattered late Wednesday night when a gunman identified by authorities as a Marine combat veteran opened fire in a crowded nightclub, the Borderline Bar and Grill, killing 12 people. He was later found dead inside, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“This is not a place anyone would ever expect anything like this to ever happen,” Wagner told Reuters.

That was echoed by Ari Alexenburg, 39, who was waiting for word on the fate of his friend and fellow security guard, who he said was believed to have been working at the Borderline at the time of the shooting.

“You’re in the safest neighbourhood in America,” Alexenburg said. “Nothing, I mean nothing, ever happens in TO.” 

‘Scenic vistas’

Located about 40 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks occupies about 55 square miles (142 square kilometres) of rolling hills on the opposite side of the Santa Monica Mountains from Malibu, including more than 15,000 acres (6070.28 hectares) of publicly owned parks and open space.

The largely residential area consists of quaint, bedroom communities, golf courses, winding, tree-lined roads and upscale shopping strips. For motorists who travel Highway 101 between Los Angeles and points north, Thousand Oaks is a pass-through community of little note.

But the mountain and foothill landscapes surrounding the Conejo Valley offer plenty of space for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, as well as scenic vistas that have served as backdrops for various Hollywood movies over the years.

Originally inhabited by the Chumash Native Americans who dwelled in the Conejo Valley, the area was first settled by the Spanish in the early 1800s, with pioneers migrating into the area throughout the 19th century.

The first post office in the area was built in 1875, and a small outpost there became a stop on the stagecoach route between Los Angeles and San Francisco, according to the city of Thousand Oaks’s website.

Chicken ranches, dairy farms and apricot orchards that dotted the valley into the early 20th century gave way to greater development after the city was incorporated in the 1960s.

Wednesday night’s bloodshed marked a tragic new chapter in the city’s history that has upended any notion that its residents are somehow immune from senseless violence, City Councilman Rob McCoy said at a news conference.

“It can happen anywhere,” he said. “This was just an awful event. The citizens of our community are devastated. We’re heartbroken.”

SOURCE:
Reuters news agency

Listen to live Australia v South Africa commentary – second ODI – Live – BBC Sport

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