Government advises caution when buying fireworks abroad for the August 1st celebrations; the price of airplane tickets continues to climb in Switzerland; and more news in our Wednesday roundup.
National Day: The government advises caution when buying fireworks abroad
To import fireworks for the August 1st celebrations, a permit issued by the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol) must be obtained, the Federal Council said in a press release on Tuesday.
However, it is possible to import recreational pyrotechnic devices without a permit up to a total gross weight of 2.5 kg per person, and provided that these devices are not already banned in Switzerland – such as ground-exploding fireworks, for example.
An important point, to keep in mind is that though some fireworks can be brought into Switzerland from abroad, this does not mean they can actually be set off: their use could be prohibited due to the ongoing drought and high risk of forest fires.
Authorities are therefore urging the public to check local rules in place for August 1st celebrations in their communities.
The price or airplane tickets continues to climb in Switzerland
Air fares in Switzerland have risen by 70 percent in the past five years, according to an analysis carried out by Comparis consumer platform.
And continually rising fuel and maintenance costs are likely to drive prices up even further in the next 12 months.
“This hike has a particularly strong impact on long-haul flights.” said Michael Kuhn, a financial expert at Comparis.
READ MORE: Switzerland’s airlines raise their fares ahead of peak summer travel season
Swiss lead Europe in the use of AI in the workplace
Swiss employees are among the top users of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace compared to other European countries.
This is what emerges from a new study by the consulting firm Accenture.
It found that 49 percent of people working in Switzerland use AI tools daily – almost twice the European average.
The study also notes that access to AI tools by employers is significantly higher in Switzerland at 88 percent than internationally (80 percent).
READ MORE: How Artificial Intelligence is re-shaping job application process in Switzerland
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