From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

The gig economy grows up.

I'm Barbara Bogave sitting in for Warren Alney, and this is To the Point.

We're fast becoming a nation of freelancers, tempts, and on-call hired help.

Nearly a third of American workers have some kind of non-traditional gig. And by 2025,

freelancers could make up half the workforce. This seismic shift away from nine to five employment

offers freedom and flexibility, but it comes with a steep price.

Few benefits, low wages, and little protection for the older workers who are increasingly drawn to the hustle.

Will labor policy and protections keep up with these changes?

And on today's talking point, Facebook in China, the case for why a censored Facebook could be better for freedom than no Facebook at all.

First, the news.

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This is To the Point. It's lovely to have you with us this holiday week. I'm Barbara Bo Gavin for Warren Only.

Just ahead, the freelance workforce is growing, with companies like Uber, Lyft, and Etsy driving the trend, as well as corporations increasingly outsourcing work,

what happens when we all become our own bosses, especially as we near retirement? And later on

today's talking point, should Mark Zuckerberg launch a censored version of Facebook in China?

First, this news. Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia had helped broker

a ceasefire agreement between the Syrian regime and some opposition rebels in the long-running civil war there.

Russia and Turkey will oversee the ceasefire, which is due to take place across most of Syria, starting at midnight local time tonight.

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