When WhatsApp goes down, global communication stops

Monday’s outage of Facebook and Instagram was annoying, sure. But the outage of communication platform WhatsApp highlighted how vital the app is to chat with friends and family or even do business in some parts of the world. Many emerging markets have access to technologies like smartphones but lack broadband infrastructure, making WhatsApp one of the most popular, inexpensive communication platforms available. Later, we’ll hear why some Hollywood workers are going on strike, whom a four-day workweek would serve and what an unused lot in Austin, Texas, tells us about the difficulties of creating affordable housing.