The western cantons of Neuchâtel and Fribourg on Friday announced a ban on the use of fireworks, with only official communal fireworks displays by professionals authorised on July 31 and August 1. In Fribourg, exemptions may be granted, but supervision by the fire brigade will be necessary.
Several other cantons in both French and German-speaking Switzerland have already introduced restrictions on fireworks. Canton Argau has banned fireworks in and around forests.
Restrictions on open-air fires were also tightened on Friday. For example, cantons Vaud and Fribourg banned them all, although barbecues in the garden or on terraces are not affected.
Lighting outdoor fires and setting off fireworks are traditional activities in Switzerland on August 1, which is a public holiday for National Day marking the roots of the Swiss Confederation.
Temperatures remained high on Friday in the Alpine country especially in the south and east, reaching over 36 degrees in Biasca in the south. In French-speaking Switzerland, Geneva was the hottest place with the thermometer reaching 35.4 degrees.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Swiss price watchdog negotiates lower fees for card payments
This content was published on
Small businesses in Switzerland will have to pay fewer fees for cashless payments from customers over the next few years.
Lakes in Central Switzerland have best water quality for bathing
This content was published on
Anyone who swims in a lake in Central Switzerland need have no fear of infection from intestinal bacteria. The water samples taken at 65 bathing sites in 13 lakes all have good to excellent bathing water quality.
This content was published on
Unknown assailants have stolen a historic ring from a Basel museum. The stolen item was a gift from Russian Tsar Alexander I to his host in Basel in 1814.
More May hotel guests in Basel than at any time in past 90 years
This content was published on
Basel hotels recorded 150,854 overnight stays for the Eurovision Song Contest in May. This corresponds to a year-on-year increase of 8.4%.
Demand remains high for rental flats in Switzerland
This content was published on
More rental flats are once again being advertised on property portals in Switzerland. However, demand also remains very high.
One in five Europeans exposed to too much traffic noise
This content was published on
More than one in five Europeans are exposed to unhealthily high levels of traffic noise, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA).
New living space through densification often comes at expense of the poor
This content was published on
If demolition and new construction are carried out and tenants have to make way, low-income households are affected more often than average.
This content was published on
The ceasefire in the Iran-Israel war has visibly eased tensions on the financial markets. The SMI, Switzerland's leading stock market index, has risen above the 12,000 point mark again.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Drought affects Swiss supplies of oil products
This content was published on
Low water levels in the Rhine, as well as logistical problems on European rail lines, are hitting supplies of oil products to Switzerland.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.