Visitors Delayed

According to documents recently released, some visitors to the U.S. were delayed by immigration officers because the fingerprints in their passports were mismatched or smudged. However, Homeland Security Department pointed out that only a tiny fraction of visitors was affected by such problems.

(Originally posted by Michael Wukoschitz)

Liability for an accident at a water slide

Liability for an accident at a water slide was repudiated by Austria's Supreme Court (OGH): a swimming baths offering a water slide was not obliged to provide permanent supervision by its staff or video cameras. A stoplight system regulating access to the slide and sliding instructions displayed directly at the entrance of the slide were sufficent security measures. Safeguard obligations of a swimming baths must not be overdrawn. The claim for compensation filed by a boy who was hurt at an accident which occured when a group of other boys were blocking the lower part of the water slide was therefore dismissed (OGH 23.11.2004, 10 Ob 26/04b).

(Originally posted by Michael Wukoschitz)

Seaquake alert via text message

A German company has developed a system to forewarn tourists against seaquakes via text message to their cell phones. The system is based on data provided by international seismological institutes.

(Originally posted by Michael Wukoschitz)

Machine-readable passport required

From 26. June 2005 all foreign travellers to USA who don't need visa must produce machine-readable passports, otherwise they may be rejected by immigration officers.

(Originally posted by Michael Wukoschitz)