The Algorithm Age

Residents of what was once a key highway stop-off feel they are being passed by as tourists head to Western Australia's north to escape the winter months. Carnarvon, 900 kilometres north of Perth, is the only major town between Geraldton and Karratha. It has generally hosted thousands of caravanners and other travellers on their way to tourist destinations in WA's Pilbara and Kimberley. But many businesses said this year's trade was so poor it could force their permanent closure. Jo Bumbak, who has sold preserves and ice creams using produce from the local area for 26 years, said this would likely be her final season. "There's businesses I've spoken to that said they don't even know if they're going to reopen their doors," she said. "I'm one of those businesses." Ms Bumbak said the length of stay for most caravanners visiting the region had declined, and state government-imposed liquor...

Locals in one of the UK's most poverty-stricken areas have warned that its council is 'neglecting pockets of deprivation at its peril'. Caia Park, Wrexham, is the largest council housing estate in Wales and has been plagued with 'generational' child poverty and unemployment issues for more than two decades. Despite an influx of far-flung tourists and Hollywood A-listers piling into the city every other week to watch football, many children and families are going hungry just 10 minutes from the Racecourse Ground. It is only due to the relentless work of charities and social enterprises that starving kids are staying off the streets away from the temptation of crime , drugs and violence, say many locals. But with a lack of funding from Wrexham County Borough Council and requests for grants being exhausted, the funds to keep these organisations afloat are quickly dwindling - sparking fears over the future consequences. Colin Powell, 63, has lived on ...

Dozens of community members are rallying against a council decision that could put a beloved not-for-profit childcare centre in Melbourne's inner west at risk of closure. For mother-of-two Ayeesha Montalti, the Bulldogs Community Children's Centre in Footscray has been a pillar of stability during a turbulent time, acting "as a family" and even supporting her through the loss of her mother three weeks ago. But last week, Maribyrnong City Council voted in favour of removing the requirement for the centre to house a not-for-profit childcare provider, allowing for-profit providers to bid for the new lease. "When I found out about it, I was shocked," Ms Montalti said. "I found out via an email nearly a week after the council meeting had happened, we had no idea that there was even a discussion to renew this lease." The council has held the lease with the Western Bulldogs for the facility since 2009, and it has since ...