Metadata

Language: German
Transcript ID: 25
Filename: HeuteMorgen_radio_AUDI20251223_RS_0048_1532723215b74d3db69dd22ae5f55e81.mp3
Original URL: https://download-media.srf.ch/world/audio/HeuteMorgen_radio/2025/12/HeuteMorgen_radio_AUDI20251223_RS_0048_1532723215b74d3db69dd22ae5f55e81.mp3?d=ap&assetId=cd57f4b4-6c5f-39ea-a4b2-e1e13880f49a
Creation Date: 2025-12-25 10:24:15
Text Length: 10,146 characters

People

Topics

  • Swiss security policy and civil protection
  • Volunteer corps for critical infrastructure
  • Syria: Conflicts between Kurds and transitional government
  • Media landscape: End of 20 Minuten in print form
  • Flight ticket levy and environmental policy
  • US wind energy halt
  • Pharmaceuticals: Weight loss medication in tablet form
  • Stock market and currency data

Summary

The Swiss Federal Council has presented a surprising proposal to strengthen security: volunteers could in future guard critical infrastructure such as power plants and railway facilities. This is welcomed by the military. In Syria, meanwhile, the power struggle between Kurdish militias and the transitional government in Aleppo is escalating with deaths and injuries. The Swiss commuter newspaper 20 Minuten is being discontinued after 26 years. Two-thirds of the Swiss population support a flight ticket levy. The USA under Trump halted five wind park projects. A new weight loss medication is coming to the market for the first time in pill form.

Detailed Summary

Security Policy: Volunteers for Critical Infrastructure

The Federal Council has presented the idea of armed volunteer associations to secure critical infrastructure. This is in response to a significantly deteriorated security situation. The military is currently examining how volunteers can be deployed for protection and security tasks during periods of heightened tension. Army spokesperson Stephan Hofer explained that volunteers could gather information, monitor terrain, and secure facilities. They should be organized regionally and be visible and tangible to the population.

The concept is not new: during the Second World War, the Federal Council already created so-called local defense forces – armed local volunteer troops that were to guard anti-tank obstacles and important facilities such as bridges.

SVP National Councilor Remi Wismann welcomes the proposal and has long been calling for the deployment of volunteers. He argues that many former military personnel would be motivated to volunteer after their mandatory service and would already be trained. SP security policy expert Franziska Roth, however, rejects the idea of volunteer associations for security tasks – this should be the responsibility of civil authorities, not the military.

The military is currently working on an initial model but leaves key questions open, such as troop size, rules of engagement, and weaponry.

Print Media: End of 20 Minuten

The Swiss commuter newspaper 20 Minuten is being discontinued after 26 years. Today's edition is the last in printed form. This marks the disappearance of Switzerland's last commuter newspaper as well as the distinctive blue distribution boxes at train stations and tram stops. At peak times, nearly 600,000 copies were distributed daily. In the future, 20 Minuten will only be available as an app and website. TX Group, the publisher, announced in summer that this would eliminate up to 80 full-time positions.

Syria: Conflicts and Questions of Power

The city of Aleppo has witnessed heavy fighting between Kurdish fighters and troops of the Syrian transitional government. Mortar grenades were used and several civilians were killed and others injured. Both sides accuse each other of attacking first.

The central point of contention is the integration of the Kurdish units (SDF). The transitional government wants to dissolve them and integrate soldiers individually. The Kurds, on the other hand, demand control over Syria's entire military apparatus and defense ministry. The core problem: both sides see themselves as victors of the war and distrust each other. The Kurds have built a self-governed region in the northeast over more than a decade and do not want to give up this control.

Middle East correspondent Thomas Guterson warns of a possible escalation: Syria's two largest military blocs are facing each other, and a far-reaching confrontation could destabilize the country again. The parties are aware of this risk and have already ordered their units to cease hostilities.

Flight Ticket Levy: Broad Support

A survey by the GFS Zurich research institute shows that two-thirds of the Swiss population support a flight ticket levy. On behalf of the environmental organization Umverkehr, over 1,000 people were surveyed. Around 60 percent want the additional money to be used to reduce public transport costs and to expand night train connections.

USA: Wind Park Projects Halted

The Donald Trump administration has halted five major wind park projects off the US East Coast. The reason given is security concerns: the rotor blades and reflective towers would interfere with radars and make it difficult to detect threats. Trump promised during his election campaign to stop the offshore wind industry and instead promote oil and gas. States, wind power companies, and industry associations criticize the move as unjustified.

Pharmaceuticals: Weight Loss Medication as a Pill

For the first time, a pill is coming to the market that has the same effect as an injection. Pharmaceutical manufacturer Novo Nordisk received approval in the USA for VEGOVI in tablet form. The medication is taken once daily and is supposed to work the same as a weekly injection. The medication regulates blood sugar levels and increases feelings of satiety. Tablets are easier to use and more cost-effective than injections.

Weather and Sports Results

Switzerland is experiencing foggy weather with temperatures of 2 to 9 degrees. In the south there are clouds; outside the fog it is occasionally sunny.

In the Swiss championship, Lausanne lost to Bern 2:3 after overtime. Lugano defeated last-place Ajoa 6:1.

Stock Markets and Currencies

The Dow Jones index in New York gained 0.5%. The Nikkei index remained unchanged. The euro is trading at 93.05 centimes, the dollar at 79.03 centimes.

Key Points

  • The Federal Council proposes volunteer associations to guard critical infrastructure – a response to a tightened security situation
  • While Syria suffers from power struggles between Kurds and the transitional government, there is a high risk of escalation
  • The Swiss commuter newspaper 20 Minuten is being discontinued – the end of a 26-year era
  • Two-thirds of the Swiss population support a flight ticket levy to promote sustainable mobility
  • The USA halt five wind park projects citing national security concerns
  • A new weight loss medication in pill form enables simplified application and lower costs