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Seven secrets you need to know about Your name Engraved Herein, Taiwan’s Highest-Grossing LGBTQ Film
https://preview.redd.it/mn4lpgnsn6761.jpg?width=1048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=86ca79cf3893f75ddc9103fd1e8263a08845c989 Since its release in September 2020, this blockbuster so far has already accumulated NT$100M (around US$3.5M) on the island alone—an enormous number not just for an LGBTQ film, but for every Taiwanese film. With its premiere on Netflix on December 23, this film, Your name Engraved Herein, can finally be watched by viewers all over the world. However, based on the director’s true story happening in Taiwan in 1987 and shot in a lyrical and poetic way, this film has many cultural nuances that are only familiar to local Taiwanese people and many details that you might misinterpret the whole storyline if you do not pay keen attention to. We think it would be a pity if people can’t fully enjoy this film because of cultural boundaries, so here we would like to provide seven interesting facts about this movie that you might not have known before. What are Birdy’s true feelings? Does Birdy actually love Jia-Han or Ban-Ban? The film is about the love story of Jia-Han (CHANG Jia-Han or simply A-Han, played by Edward CHEN) and Birdy (WANG Bo-De, played by TSENG Jing-Hwa). However, since the whole movie is shot from Jia-Han’s perspective, it is quite common to ignore Birdy's feelings and only realize half of the story. Many people raise questions such as "Did Birdy love Jia-Han or Ban-Ban?", "Why did Birdy do this?" after seeing the film for the first time. Nevertheless, the true story is that Birdy loved Jia-Han as much as, if not more than, Jia-Han loved Birdy. However, the cues are so implicitly hidden in this film that people may not notice these nuances, especially Birdy's acting and facial expressions. Searching for the evidence of Birdy's love can be addictively intriguing, which is also the reason why many fans rewatch the film again and again. However, it might be not easy for foreigners to decode Birdy’s real thoughts because of cultural and language barriers. So here we would like to explain how Birdy really feels according to cues in the movie and help you uncover the hidden part of the story. In the beginning of this movie, Birdy tries to approach Jia-Han by funny excuses such as borrowing soap and sharing walnuts in Jia-Han’s bed. He is simply attracted to Jia-Han and falls in love, just like Jia-Han can not stop watching him. They are together and have a wonderful time that year. However, Birdy soon changes his attitude and turns cold to Jia-Han after he meets Ban-Ban, leaving Jia-Han in disappointment. Worse still, Birdy does really mean things to upset Jia-Han. He suggests Jia-Han to get a girlfriend in the church, acts intimately with Ban-Ban in front of Jia-Han at the night market, and even passes Jia-Han's secret love message "WANAN" to Ban-Ban with a balloon in public. Seeing how Birdy’s behavior leaves Jia-Han so heart-broken and in despair, many people might start to wonder if Birdy is actually straight. It is not until the final part of the movie does Birdy confesses his love. It is surprising, not only to Jia-Han, but also to some viewers who think that Birdy loves Ban-Ban instead. However, many nuanced scenes in this film actually indicate that Birdy’s true love is Jia-Han. Every time Birdy tries to upset Jia-Han, there are often moments when Birdy reveals his genuine feelings of sorrow and guilt through his facial expression once he finds out that Jia-Han is not looking at him and he can stop “acting”. For example, in the church scene, Birdy at first teases Jia-Han and says that he wants Jia-Han to get a girlfriend in a careless attitude, but his expression changes suddenly after Jia-Han leaves, showing that his carelessness is merely a play-act in front of Jia-Han. There are also times, though rare, when Birdy just can not but show worry and heartbreak, even in front of Jia-Han. During their argument at Jia-Han’s home, Birdy’s eyes are filled with sadness when he questions Jia-Han “Have you gone crazy?” after Jia-Han is about to come out of the closet in front of his parents. Though never giving in with his words, Birdy’s tears at that moment reveal his true feelings, that what he really cares about was Jia-Han and that he does not want Jia-Han to be hurt because of him. Moreover, in the very same scene, in response to Jia-Han's abrupt question "I dare to say who I like, do you dare?", Birdy can only fall silent because he can neither say he loves Jia-Han out loud, nor can he tell a lie that he loves someone else. So why does Birdy try to distance himself from Jia-Han? In this movie, Birdy witnesses several violent incidents related to being gay, like the schoolmate being bullied in the bathroom. He later even gets involved in one himself, ending up jumping off the building just because he and Jia-Han are too close. These make him realize that for him and Jia-Han, being together will lead to terrible results under the social pressure at that time. Though Birdy is not that concerned about his own safety, as he does many crazy things then, he can not bear to see Jia-Han get hurt because of him. So he makes a hard decision, distancing himself from Jia-Han and starting to date Ban-Ban, who tries so hard only to find 30 years later that “Liking boys is innate. If I had known, I wouldn't have tried so hard.” and accept the fact that Birdy might like her, but never truly loves her. Birdy’s true love has always been Jia-Han, since they met for the first time in the pool. By the way, don’t feel bad about yourself if you can’t tell between these two boys in the first half. Many viewers also had complained about this because these two actors actually look somewhat alike, even to the eyes of a native Taiwanese. So it’s not about race. I can assure you. OK I get it now. But why does Birdy have to hide his true feelings? To know the answer, we have to understand what it is like to be a gay student in Taiwan in 1987. Despite being the first country to legalize gay marriage in 2019, Taiwan was quite conservative 30 years ago. Being gay was never acceptable because people believed in reproduction as the main purpose of marriage, and many even valued only patrilineal descendants. If anyone was considered gay, he would probably be harshly blamed by the family and fatally bullied by others. The situation is even harsher for Jia-Han and Birdy, for they are still students in this story. During those years, for high school students, studying for the college entrance exam is the only thing considered important. Many measures are often taken to keep students concentrating on their studies, even though they are nowadays considered unreasonable. There were even military officers and dormitory masters in the school, maintaining strict discipline with corporal punishment. Romance relationships, even interactions between boys and girls, are strictly forbidden, not to mention same-sex relationships, which are totally unthinkable at that time. Also, students are asked to choose between science studies major and social studies major so that they can focus on their exam subjects more. However, only those who majored in science studies are considered promising in their future career. This is why Jia-Han’s father was so angry at Jia-Han’s transfer from a science major to a social studies major. Who is the protesting guy on the footbridge? Appearing in the film for just one minute, this guy, Chi Chia-wei, is an iconic flagbearer in Taiwan’s LGBTQ movement, and the director pays tribute to his great contribution by filming how he, a courageous gay, once faced brutal treatment by the government at that time. In an era when homosexuality was taboo, Chi Chia-wei was the first person in Taiwan to come out as gay on national television in 1986. He kept fighting for gay rights and gay marriage in his own unique way, including wearing bold costumes while protesting, as shown in the movie. Thanks to his efforts, Taiwan has finally legalized gay marriage in 2019, becoming the first country in Asia to do so. He was selected by Time magazine as THE 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE OF 2020. What’s martial law in Taiwan and why does the whole movie start with a government announcement? It is quite crucial to understand the historical background of Taiwan to emphasize the feelings of Jia-Han and Birdy in this movie. The island of Taiwan was under the rule of the authoritarian Kuomintang-led Government since its defeat in Mainland China in 1949, and martial law had been in effect from then until 1987, which was one of the longest impositions of martial law in human history. In the era of martial law, Taiwan was under strict government control, and human rights were often compromised. The leaders of the government (both from the Chiang family) were usually idolized, and hence there is a scene in the movie where thousands of people attend former president Chiang Ching-kuo’s funeral, including Jia-Han and Birdy. In the latter years of the martial law era, however, things started to change. Restrictions started to loosen, and there was a movement toward a more democratic and free society. This finally led to the lift of martial law in 1987, which also marked the year when Jia-Han met Birdy. This is why the movie starts with the government announcing the lift of martial law. In those years, Taiwan's society was optimistic but also unsettling. Old ideology started to wane, and people started to question existing rules. However, new social rules had not been established yet and people—especially the youth—often felt confused and lost, which occasionally led to anger. This can be perfectly summarized by the conversation in the film: when Birdy says “I thought martial law was lifted” after their performance is stopped by the Military Officer, Jia-Han responds “Do you think the world has changed? Actually, it hasn't changed a bit.” In the movie, there are many scenes on the train or on the boat. Where does the story take place and where do they travel? The fictitious high school in the story is based on the director’s alma mater, a Catholic high school in Taichung which is metropolitan in the middle part of western Taiwan. In the film, most of the events take place in Taichung, but Jia-Han and Birdy also go to Taipei city and Penghu islands, hence the many scenes about transportation. They go to Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, as representatives of Witt High school to pay tribute to the former president, Chiang Ching-kuo, after his death. Taipei is located in northern Taiwan and is a 3-hour train ride from Taichung, so you can see both Jia-Han and Birdy fall asleep on the train. After the argument in Jia-Han’s home, Jia-Han runs out angrily and Birdy soon follows. They end up in the Penghu Islands, which are located in the Taiwan Strait, to the west of Taiwan island. It is no surprise that Jia-Han wants to go to Penghu when he wants to go to the end of the world where he can no longer be tortured by his uncontrolled love. Penghu is a group of beautiful islands with white beaches and calming ocean waves, but it is very far from Taichung (at least for a high school student.) It takes a 4-hour train ride from Taichung to Kaohsiung Port, where they then take an overnight ferry ride to Penghu. (Now there is no overnight ferry ride to Penghu, as ferries go much faster today.) What are the songs and what do they mean in this film? Songs play an important role in this movie, as unspoken love between same-sex lovers can only be communicated through songs at that time. There are three main songs in this film. The self-titled theme song, “Your Name Engraved Herein” ("刻在我心底的名字"), is written by Jia-Han in college (though he lies and says it is by a friend), showing his endless sadness after parting with Birdy. At the end of this movie, the song is sung again by young Jia-Han and Birdy, epitomizing their romantic union in Quebec and leaving us wondering what will happen next after the last line, “If I have another chance, I will surely love again.” This song is actually written in 2019 by artists in Singapore and Malaysia and has been the number one hit in many countries on Spotify. The other two songs, “This World” ("這個世界") by Tsai Lan-chin and "Crowded Paradise" (“擁擠的樂園”) by Bobby Chen are actually classics from that era. In this movie, “The World” is especially important because it is the love song that Birdy gives Jia-Han. On their trip to Taipei, Birdy picks this song from the music player and says it is a gift for Jia-Han. This song appears four times in the film, indicating Birdy's love, which can not be told. It is actually a very popular song among the gay community at that time, giving many hopes with its encouraging lyrics: Our world is not as bad as you said So why do you still sign? With your care and all your love Let's add some beautiful colors to this world. What is the seventh secret? Any surprise for me? Yes, definitely! The secret is that, after you finish watching the film, don’t skip the end credit as Netflix always automatically does for you! There are a few scenes showing the interaction between Birdy and Jia-Han from Birdy’s perspective, which complements the main part that is all-too-much-Jia-Han. And actually, there are more “sweet scenes” in the original script, which are cut out during the editing phase. Being called unfavorably as “cecum” by the director, these clips however are later released and are dearly loved by many fans. You can find the video on the official Facebook page. Written By Two Loyal Taiwanese Fans: A-Jing & Yoyo We actually did not anticipate that we would write this much in the end lol. Maybe this movie wakes up the crazy (Birdy) and the courageous (Jia-Han) deep in our hearts. English is not our native language, but we hope this article helps you love this movie even more : )
Coronavirus Megathread (Feb 2021): For travel-related discussion in the context of COVID-19
While vaccines are starting to be administered in several countries, the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to have a major effect on travel, with many now looking to understand if, when, or how their travels might be feasible. Accordingly, /travel is continue its megathreads on a monthly basis until the crisis dissipates. In the interest of reducing the number of one-off questions, before you post a question about how to deal with your individual travel plans, consider whether your situation is adequately addressed by the following:
Are borders open? What entry or transit restrictions are in place? Will I need to quarantine?
A list of travel restrictions can be found in a number of sources, including from IATA, Kayak's travel restriction map, or this alternative site that draws information from IATA. Note that IATA only deals with travel restrictions by air (so it will not speak to any land border restrictions or closures). You may also do well to check out government and embassy sources from the destination country (and sometimes from your own embassy in the destination country). Because information can change on short notice, it is important to verify the latest information, ideally from government sources.
...in the US?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals are prohibited from entering or transiting the US if they have been in or transited via Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, South Africa, or the UK in the preceding 14 days. Exceptions to this rule include green card holders. Note that (except for, of course, US citizens) this is not a citizenship-based restriction; it is purely based on travel history. All air passengers (including US citizens and green card holders), regardless of origin and nationality, need to produce a negative result from a viral test taken within 3 days of the first flight on a single ticket to the US. Alternatively, you may travel with a positive test result from the previous 3 months and a letter from a doctor indicating that you're clear for travel. The land borders with Mexico and Canada are closed to all except those travelling for essential purposes, but air, rail, and sea (but not commuter rail or ferry) ports-of-entry remain open to non-essential travel. No nationwide quarantine requirements exist, although an executive order signed on Jan. 21 hinted at the possibility of one being instituted, should the CDC recommend it. Nevertheless, individual states and/or cities may have their own requirements, even for domestic travel, so you will need to confirm with information from your destination state or city. As an example, this is New York State's travel advisory/quarantine page; note that travelers are permitted to break quarantine to leave New York State and the state's quarantine restrictions would not prevent you from boarding a connecting flight. For more information, see the US CDC's COVID-19 page.
...in Canada?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals are barred from entering Canada unless they are traveling for certain, mostly essential reasons, regardless of mode of travel. Those traveling from countries other than the US must also fulfill one of several additional categories of exemptions. Those who are permitted to travel to Canada for non-essential purposes include – aside from Canadians – permanent residents and certain family members of Canadians and permanent residents. Note that Canadian airlines will be halting flights to Mexico and the Caribbean. Those wishing to travel to Canada on compassionate reasons may do so provided they receive authorization from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Fully airside international transits are typically permitted. All passengers five years or older arriving into Canada by air will also need to produce a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to boarding the last direct flight to Canada. Alternatively, you may submit a positive COVID-19 molecular test taken between 14 and 90 days prior to departure. Starting Feb. 22, passengers will be required to take an additional test on arrival and quarantine at hotels for at least three days, pending negative test results, in one of four cities – Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal – that will serve as the only ports-of-entry by air. After being permitted to exit hotel quarantine, travelers must continue to self-quarantine until 14 days after arrival, at which point they must take another test. The whole process is expected to cost approximately C$2000 per passenger, which travelers will have to pay. For more information, see the Canadian government's COVID-19 travel restrictions page.
...in Mexico?
At the time of writing, there are no changes to Mexico's standard entry requirements. However, the land border with the United States is officially closed to all except those travelling for essential purposes. Travelers must fill out a "Questionnaire of Identification of Risk Factors in Travelers", available here, to present upon arrival. There are no quarantine requirements upon arrival in Mexico. For more information, see information provided by Mexican embassies, including the Mexican Embassy in the Netherlands.
...in the UK?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals are barred from entering the UK if they have entered or transited South America, Panama, the UAE, or several countries in southern Africa within the previous 10 days are not permitted to enter the UK. The full "red list" of countries is subject to change. Irish citizens and those with UK resident permits are, in addition to UK nationals, exempted from this restriction. All passengers entering or transiting through the UK from outside the Common Travel Area (which comprises the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands) need to produce a negative PCR, LAMP, or antigen test taken within 72 hours of their last direct flight (or other mode of transit) to the UK. All international arrivals (including UK citizens) will need to quarantine for 10 days after arrival. Starting Feb. 15, there will be several changes to entry and quarantine requirements.
The option for those have not been in the red list countries over the previous ten days to shorten their quarantine in England if they test negative at least 5 days into their quarantine period will be discontinued.
All travelers, regardless of origin and nationality, traveling from outside the Common Travel Area will, in addition to getting tested before departure, need to take a test on the second and eighth days after arrival. These tests need to be pre-booked before departure.
All travelers that have been in any of the "red list" countries over the previous ten days must book, at their own expense, a hotel room for their quarantine. For those destined for Scotland, all travelers who have been outside the Common Travel Area in the previous ten days must book a hotel room for their quarantines. These hotel rooms must be booked in advance, along with the mandatory tests on the second and eighth days of quarantine.
In late June, the European Commission recommended that external borders be reopened to short-term visitors arriving from several countries deemed to have adequately maintained the virus. This list has been updated, as of Dec. 16, to consist of Australia, China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity), Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. This list, however, is non-binding among member countries and is subject to change. Nevertheless, several countries within the EU or the Schengen Area have used this list as guidance, permitting arrivals from these countries as well as "EU+" countries (which includes EU and Schengen countries, and sometimes the UK). These restrictions typically are not based on nationality but rather travel history and/or residency; consult resources from your destination country. However, multiple EU countries have temporarily placed additional restrictions on travel from specific countries (e.g. the UK) or have reinstated broad restrictions for those from outside the EU, the Schengen Area, or their own countries due to discoveries of new COVID variants. Fully airside non-Schengen to non-Schengen transits are typically permitted, but confirm and consult resources from your transit country to see if further documentation (which may, at times, include negative test results) is required. As the various EU and Schengen countries have opened their external borders to third-country nationals in various ways and with different exceptions, it is imperative that travelers check the entry requirements for their ports-of-entry. A summary of travel restrictions is provided by the European Union, but many have reported that government (e.g. embassy or foreign ministry) resources have been more detailed and accurate.
...in South Korea?
At the time of writing, most nationalities with visa-free or visa-waiver arrangements with Korea have had their visa-free/waiver status suspended, primarily on the basis of the reciprocal entry restrictions for Korean citizens. There are also additional entry and transit restrictions of those traveling from China. International arrivals, with very few exceptions, will be required to quarantine for 14 days; non-residents will be required to quarantine in government facilities at their own expense. For more information, see the Korea Immigration Service.
...in Japan?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals who have been in one of 150+ countries for purposes other than transit are not permitted to enter Japan. Further, visas and visa exemptions for nationals from many countries have been suspended. Permanent residents, long-term residents, and spouses and children of Japanese citizens may be exempt from these entry restrictions provided they meet certain conditions. Those individuals, including Japanese citizens, that are permitted to enter Japan will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. All travelers will be required to provide proof of a negative result from a test taken within 72 hours of departure for Japan. Additional restrictions are in place for those travelling from the UK or South Africa. For more information, see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
When will borders reopen or travel restrictions be lifted? Is it safe/a good idea to book travel for a particular time months ahead?
It is, of course, impossible to say when travel restrictions are lifted for every country. Where no news has been officially provided, it is often very difficult to predict as countries will make decisions based on the progress of the pandemic – which is an unknown – as well as other pressures (e.g. economic or social). Consider that the progress of the pandemic and efforts to combat it are unpredictable. Even with the vaccine rollouts, it's unclear how this will affect travel restrictions and procedures. In the meantime, with the resurgences of cases in several countries, the new variants recently discovered in several countries, and the onset of the Northern Hemisphere winter, some countries have firmed up travel restrictions, requiring additional tests or quarantine periods or preventing travel from certain locations. Further, even if you are ultimately able to travel to your destination, there may be "lockdowns" or widespread closures of businesses and places of interest. Realize that you are taking a risk by deciding to speculatively book travel in the hopes that travel restrictions will be lifted by the time you travel, or even will remain as liberal as they are in your destination today. With this unprecedented situation, old adages about when it's best to purchase airfare may no longer be valid. In any event, be aware of the policies of your airlines and accommodations for credits and/or refunds should you need to reschedule or cancel. Further, understand that airlines may make it very difficult to receive a refund, even if legally required. Many travelers have reported waiting months to receive refunds on cancelled flights or otherwise being stonewalled when requesting a refund. And be aware that if your airline goes out of business, your funds could be lost forever. Take note of your jurisdiction's laws regarding refunds for cancelled flights. For example:
So should I cancel a trip that I've already booked? And how? Will insurance help?
These questions were covered at length in the second megathread. Although countries may be starting to "reopen", the points therein are still relevant. Previous related megathreads:
The NHS and housing crisis is largely due to huge and systematic defunding and privatisation and has very little to do with over population or immigration. Don't be so quick to retreat to the culture and language of mass media and have a little think about the real up and down sides of helping a large portion of people that have helped make this country very rich and are being brutalized by their own government. The majority of Hong Kong residents are richer and better educated than many of us the in UK and will only add to our collective intelligence and wealth, if you're in to that sort of thing.
>I voted Brexit and this is great news. Cool >Hopefully your strange mass generalisation can be course corrected abit. But that would be foolish considering the black or white stances people take on effectively, everything. A bad decision is still a bad decision. There's no getting around it by trying to shame people.
This is Karma. Bet you wish you didnt vote Brexit based only on halting immigration now, huh? Because nothing has changed in regards to immigration it seems and your broke counties now get no money from the EU. You now can't travel as easily either. What did you win from brexit? Nothing but a crap deal and more immigration. Doesnt seem to be working too well for you guys now, huh? I'm glad its not. You never deserved anything good if you voted based on bigoted ideals.
Coronavirus Megathread (Jan 2021): For travel-related discussion in the context of COVID-19
Happy New Year! It's now 2021, and while vaccines are starting to be administered in several countries, the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to have a major effect on travel, with many now looking to understand if, when, or how their travels might be feasible. Accordingly, /travel is continue its megathreads on a monthly basis until the crisis dissipates. In the interest of reducing the number of one-off questions, before you post a question about how to deal with your individual travel plans, consider whether your situation is adequately addressed by the following:
Are borders open? What entry or transit restrictions are in place? Will I need to quarantine?
A list of travel restrictions can be found in a number of sources, including from IATA, Kayak's travel restriction map, or this alternative site that draws information from IATA. Note that IATA only deals with travel restrictions by air (so it will not speak to any land border restrictions or closures). You may also do well to check out government and embassy sources from the destination country (and sometimes from your own embassy in the destination country). Because information can change on short notice, it is important to verify the latest information, ideally from government sources.
...in the US?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals are prohibited from entering or transiting the US if they have been in or transited via Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, or the UK in the preceding 14 days. Starting Jan. 30, foreign nationals will be prohibited from entering or transiting the US if they have been in or transited via South Africa in the preceding 14 days. Exceptions to this rule include green card holders. Note that (except for, of course, US citizens) this is not a citizenship-based restriction; it is purely based on travel history. All air passengers (including US citizens and green card holders), regardless of origin and nationality, need to produce a negative result from a viral test taken within 3 days of the first flight on a single ticket to the US. The land borders with Mexico and Canada are closed to all except those travelling for essential purposes, but air, rail, and sea (but not commuter rail or ferry) ports-of-entry remain open to non-essential travel. No nationwide quarantine requirements exist, although an executive order signed on Jan. 21 hinted at the possibility of one being instituted, should the CDC recommend it. Nevertheless, individual states and/or cities may have their own requirements, even for domestic travel, so you will need to confirm with information from your destination state or city. As an example, this is New York State's travel advisory/quarantine page; note that travelers are permitted to break quarantine to leave New York State and the state's quarantine restrictions would not prevent you from boarding a connecting flight. For more information, see the US CDC's COVID-19 page.
...in Canada?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals are barred from entering Canada unless they are traveling for certain, mostly essential reasons, regardless of mode of travel. Those traveling from countries other than the US must also fulfill one of several additional categories of exemptions. Those who are permitted to travel to Canada for non-essential purposes include – aside from Canadians – permanent residents and certain family members of Canadians and permanent residents. Note that Canadian airlines will be halting flights to Mexico and the Caribbean. Those wishing to travel to Canada on compassionate reasons may do so provided they receive authorization from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Fully airside international transits are typically permitted. All passengers five years or older arriving into Canada by air will also need to produce a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to boarding. Passengers will soon be required to quarantine at hotels for at least three days, pending negative test results, in one of four cities – Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal – that will serve as the only ports-of-entry by air. After being permitted to exit hotel quarantine, which is expected to cost approx. C$2000 per passenger, travelers must continue to self-quarantine until 14 days after arrival. For more information, see the Canadian government's COVID-19 travel restrictions page.
...in Mexico?
At the time of writing, there are no changes to Mexico's standard entry requirements. However, the land border with the United States is officially closed to all except those travelling for essential purposes. Travelers must fill out a "Questionnaire of Identification of Risk Factors in Travelers", available here, to present upon arrival. There are no quarantine requirements upon arrival in Mexico. For more information, see information provided by Mexican embassies, including the Mexican Embassy in the Netherlands.
...in the UK?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals are barred from entering the UK if they have entered or transited South America, Panama, the UAE, or several countries in southern Africa within the previous 10 days are not permitted to enter the UK. The full "red list" of countries is subject to change. Irish citizens and those with UK resident permits are, in addition to UK nationals, exempted from this restriction, although a requirement to quarantine in a hotel upon arrival is forthcoming. All international arrivals (including UK citizens) will need to quarantine for 10 days after arrival. However, the quarantine period can be shortened further in England if you test negative at least 5 days into the quarantine period. Note that, even if one is required to quarantine, one is typically permitted to leave the UK to continue their travels before their 10-day quarantine period is complete. Those coming from the countries and regions mentioned in the previous paragraph are also not eligible to participate in the test-to-release scheme. All travelers destined for Scotland from outside the Common Travel Area must produce a negative result from a test taken within three days of departure. A similar requirement also applies to those destined or transiting through England. With "lockdown" measures in place within the UK, there may be restrictions on travel purposes to, from, or within the constituent countries. For example, travel to and from Scotland is prohibited except for limited purposes. For more information, see UK Border Control.
...in the EU? In the Schengen Area?
In late June, the European Commission recommended that external borders be reopened to short-term visitors arriving from several countries deemed to have adequately maintained the virus. This list has been updated, as of Dec. 16, to consist of Australia, China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity), Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. This list, however, is non-binding among member countries and is subject to change. Nevertheless, several countries within the EU or the Schengen Area have used this list as guidance, permitting arrivals from these countries as well as "EU+" countries (which includes EU and Schengen countries as well as the UK). These restrictions typically are not based on nationality but rather travel history and/or residency; consult resources from your destination country. However, multiple EU countries have temporarily placed additional restrictions on travel from the UK. Fully airside non-Schengen to non-Schengen transits are typically permitted, but confirm and consult resources from your transit country to see if further documentation (which may, at times, include negative test results) is required. As the various EU and Schengen countries have opened their external borders to third-country nationals in various ways and with different exceptions, it is imperative that travelers check the entry requirements for their ports-of-entry. A summary of travel restrictions is provided by the European Union, but many have reported that government (e.g. embassy or foreign ministry) resources have been more detailed and accurate.
...in South Korea?
At the time of writing, most nationalities with visa-free or visa-waiver arrangements with Korea have had their visa-free/waiver status suspended, primarily on the basis of the reciprocal entry restrictions for Korean citizens. There are also additional entry and transit restrictions of those traveling from China. International arrivals, with very few exceptions, will be required to quarantine for 14 days; non-residents will be required to quarantine in government facilities at their own expense. For more information, see the Korea Immigration Service.
...in Japan?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals who have been in one of 150+ countries for purposes other than transit are not permitted to enter Japan. Further, visas and visa exemptions for nationals from many countries have been suspended. Permanent residents, long-term residents, and spouses and children of Japanese citizens may be exempt from these entry restrictions provided they meet certain conditions. Those individuals, including Japanese citizens, that are permitted to enter Japan will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. Starting Jan. 13, all travelers will be required to provide proof of a negative result from a test taken within 72 hours of departure for Japan. Additional restrictions are in place for those travelling from the UK or South Africa. For more information, see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
When will borders reopen or travel restrictions be lifted? Is it safe/a good idea to book travel for a particular time months ahead?
It is, of course, impossible to say when travel restrictions are lifted for every country. Where no news has been officially provided, it is often very difficult to predict as countries will make decisions based on the progress of the pandemic – which is an unknown – as well as other pressures (e.g. economic or social). Consider that the progress of the pandemic and efforts to combat it are unpredictable. Even with the vaccine rollouts, it's unclear how this will affect travel restrictions and procedures. In the meantime, with the resurgences of cases in several countries, the new variant announced in December, and the onset of the Northern Hemisphere winter, some countries have firmed up travel restrictions, requiring additional tests or quarantine periods or preventing travel from certain locations. Further, even if you are ultimately able to travel to your destination, there may be "lockdowns" or widespread closures of businesses and places of interest. Realize that you are taking a risk by deciding to speculatively book travel in the hopes that travel restrictions will be lifted by the time you travel, or even will remain as liberal as they are in your destination today. With this unprecedented situation, old adages about when it's best to purchase airfare may no longer be valid. In any event, be aware of the policies of your airlines and accommodations for credits and/or refunds should you need to reschedule or cancel. Further, understand that airlines may make it very difficult to receive a refund, even if legally required. Many travelers have reported waiting months to receive refunds on cancelled flights or otherwise being stonewalled when requesting a refund. And be aware that if your airline goes out of business, your funds could be lost forever. Take note of your jurisdiction's laws regarding refunds for cancelled flights. For example:
So should I cancel a trip that I've already booked? And how? Will insurance help?
These questions were covered at length in the second megathread. Although countries may be starting to "reopen", the points therein are still relevant. Previous related megathreads:
I am interested in getting a tech job in Singapore and I would consider my profile to be strong enough to get a good job. Is there any ways to get a new work visa right now in Singapore? I’m aware borders are closed for foreigners and thus I can’t travel to Singapore. But is there any possibility that if I do secure a job through online interviews, my employer will be able to apply for my ePass? My sister is in Singapore, would that help in any ways to get a pass? Thanks in advance
Coronavirus Megathread (Late Dec 2020): For travel-related discussion in the context of COVID-19
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to have a major effect on travel – with many now looking to understand if, when, or how their travels might be feasible – /travel is shifting to semi-monthly megathreads until the crisis dissipates. In the interest of reducing the number of one-off questions, before you post a question about how to deal with your individual travel plans, consider whether your situation is adequately addressed by the following:
Are borders open? What entry or transit restrictions are in place? Will I need to quarantine?
A list of travel restrictions can be found in a number of sources, including from IATA, Kayak's travel restriction map, or this alternative site that draws information from IATA. Note that IATA only deals with travel restrictions by air (so it will not speak to any land border restrictions or closures). You may also do well to check out government and embassy sources from the destination country (and sometimes from your own embassy in the destination country). Because information can change on short notice, it is important to verify the latest information, ideally from government sources.
...in the US?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals are prohibited from entering or transiting the US if they have been in or transited via Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, or the UK in the preceding 14 days. Exceptions to this rule include green card holders. Note that (except for, of course, US citizens) this is not a citizenship-based restriction; it is purely based on travel history. Starting Dec. 28, all passengers (including US citizens and green card holders) arriving from the UK will need to produce a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours of departure. The land borders with Mexico and Canada are closed to all except those travelling for essential purposes, but air, rail, and sea (but not commuter rail or ferry) ports-of-entry remain open to non-essential travel. There are no quarantine-on-arrival requirements at the nationwide level, but individual states and/or cities may have their own requirements. You will need to confirm with information from your destination state or city. As an example, this is New York State's travel advisory/quarantine page; note that travelers are permitted to break quarantine to leave New York State and the state's quarantine restrictions would not prevent you from boarding a connecting flight. For more information, see the US CDC's COVID-19 page.
...in Canada?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals are barred from entering Canada unless they are traveling for certain, mostly essential reasons, regardless of mode of travel. Those traveling from countries other than the US must also fulfill one of several additional categories of exemptions. Those who are permitted to travel to Canada for non-essential purposes include – aside from Canadians – permanent residents and certain family members of Canadians and permanent residents. Those wishing to travel to Canada on compassionate reasons may do so provided they receive authorization from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Fully airside international transits are typically permitted. With limited exceptions, all international arrivals are required to quarantine for 14 days. For more information, see the Canadian government's COVID-19 travel restrictions page.
...in Mexico?
At the time of writing, there are no changes to Mexico's standard entry requirements. However, the land border with the United States is officially closed to all except those travelling for essential purposes. Travelers must fill out a "Questionnaire of Identification of Risk Factors in Travelers", available here, to present upon arrival. There are no quarantine requirements upon arrival in Mexico. For more information, see information provided by Mexican embassies, including the Mexican Embassy in the Netherlands.
...in the UK?
At the time of writing, there are no changes to the UK's standard entry requirements. However, international arrivals that have been in or transited via countries not on the exemption list will need to quarantine for 10 days after arrival. However, the quarantine period can be shortened even further if you test negative at least 5 days after leaving non-exempt countries. The exemption list is subject to change (with countries being added or removed) on short notice. Note that, even if one is required to quarantine, one is permitted to leave the UK to continue their travels before their 10-day quarantine period is complete. For more information, see UK Border Control.
...in the EU? In the Schengen Area?
In late June, the European Commission recommended that external borders be reopened to short-term visitors arriving from several countries deemed to have adequately maintained the virus. This list has been updated, as of Oct. 22, to consist of Australia, China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity), Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Uruguay. This list, however, is non-binding among member countries and is subject to change. Nevertheless, several countries within the EU or the Schengen Area have used this list as guidance, permitting arrivals from these countries as well as "EU+" countries (which includes EU and Schengen countries as well as the UK). These restrictions typically are not based on nationality but rather travel history and/or residency; consult resources from your destination country. However, multiple EU countries have temporarily placed additional restrictions on travel from the UK. Fully airside non-Schengen to non-Schengen transits are typically permitted, but confirm and consult resources from your transit country to see if further documentation is required. As the various EU and Schengen countries have opened their external borders to third--country nationals in various ways and with different exceptions, it is imperative that travelers check the entry requirements for their ports-of-entry. A summary of travel restrictions is provided by the European Union, but many have reported that government (e.g. embassy or foreign ministry) resources have been more detailed and accurate.
...in South Korea?
At the time of writing, most nationalities with visa-free or visa-waiver arrangements with Korea have had their visa-free/waiver status suspended, primarily on the basis of the reciprocal entry restrictions for Korean citizens. There are also additional entry and transit restrictions of those traveling from China. International arrivals, with very few exceptions, will be required to quarantine for 14 days; non-residents will be required to quarantine in government facilities at their own expense. For more information, see the Korea Immigration Service.
...in Japan?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals who have been in one of 150+ countries for purposes other than transit are not permitted to enter Japan. Further, visas and visa exemptions for nationals from many countries have been suspended. Permanent residents, long-term residents, and spouses and children of Japanese citizens may be exempt from these entry restrictions provided they meet certain conditions. Those individuals, including Japanese citizens, that are permitted to enter Japan will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. For more information, see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
When will borders reopen or travel restrictions be lifted? Is it safe/a good idea to book travel for a particular time months ahead?
It is, of course, impossible to say when travel restrictions are lifted for every country. Where no news has been officially provided, it is often very difficult to predict as countries will make decisions based on the progress of the pandemic – which is an unknown – as well as other pressures (e.g. economic or social). Consider that the progress of the pandemic and efforts to combat it are unpredictable. Perhaps there will be a vaccine by the time you travel, but perhaps there won't be. Perhaps there will be a resurgence of cases, rendering your travel unwise or impossible, but perhaps there won't be. Perhaps the objective of your trip will be closed, but perhaps it won't be. Realize that you are taking a risk by deciding to speculatively book travel in the hopes that travel restrictions are lifted. With this unprecedented situation, old adages about when it's best to purchase airfare may no longer be valid. In any event, be aware of the policies of your airlines and accommodations for credits and/or refunds should you need to reschedule or cancel. Further, understand that airlines may make it very difficult to receive a refund, even if legally required. Many travelers report waiting months to receive refunds on cancelled flights or otherwise being stonewalled when requesting a refund. And be aware that if your airline goes out of business, your funds could be lost forever. Take note of your jurisdiction's laws regarding refunds for cancelled flights. For example:
So should I cancel a trip that I've already booked? And how? Will insurance help?
These questions were covered at length in the second megathread. Although countries may be starting to "reopen", the points therein are still relevant. Previous related megathreads:
Coronavirus Megathread (Early Dec 2020): For travel-related discussion in the context of COVID-19
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to have a major effect on travel – with many now looking to understand if, when, or how their travels might be feasible – /travel is shifting to semi-monthly megathreads until the crisis dissipates. In the interest of reducing the number of one-off questions, before you post a question about how to deal with your individual travel plans, consider whether your situation is adequately addressed by the following:
Are borders open? What entry or transit restrictions are in place? Will I need to quarantine?
A list of travel restrictions can be found in a number of sources, including from IATA, Kayak's travel restriction map, or this alternative site that draws information from IATA. Note that IATA only deals with travel restrictions by air (so it will not speak to any land border restrictions or closures). You may also do well to check out government and embassy sources from the destination country (and sometimes from your own embassy in the destination country). Because information can change on short notice, it is important to verify the latest information, ideally from government sources.
...in the US?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals are prohibited from entering or transiting the US if they have been in or transited via Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, or the UK in the preceding 14 days. Exceptions to this rule include green card holders. Note that (except for, of course, US citizens) this is not a citizenship-based restriction; it is purely based on travel history. The land borders with Mexico and Canada are closed to all except those travelling for essential purposes, but air, rail, and sea (but not commuter rail or ferry) ports-of-entry remain open to non-essential travel. There are no quarantine-on-arrival requirements at the nationwide level, but individual states and/or cities may have their own requirements. You will need to confirm with information from your destination state or city. As an example, this is New York State's travel advisory/quarantine page; note that travelers are permitted to break quarantine to leave New York State and the state's quarantine restrictions would not prevent you from boarding a connecting flight. For more information, see the US CDC's COVID-19 page.
...in Canada?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals are barred from entering Canada unless they are traveling for certain, mostly essential reasons, regardless of mode of travel. Those traveling from countries other than the US must also fulfill one of several additional categories of exemptions. Those who are permitted to travel to Canada for non-essential purposes include – aside from Canadians – permanent residents and certain family members of Canadians and permanent residents. Those wishing to travel to Canada on compassionate reasons may do so provided they receive authorization from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Fully airside international transits are typically permitted. With limited exceptions, all international arrivals are required to quarantine for 14 days. For more information, see the Canadian government's COVID-19 travel restrictions page.
...in Mexico?
At the time of writing, there are no changes to Mexico's standard entry requirements. However, the land border with the United States is officially closed to all except those travelling for essential purposes. Travelers must fill out a "Questionnaire of Identification of Risk Factors in Travelers", available here, to present upon arrival. There are no quarantine requirements upon arrival in Mexico. For more information, see information provided by Mexican embassies, including the Mexican Embassy in the Netherlands.
...in the UK?
At the time of writing, there are no changes to the UK's standard entry requirements. However, international arrivals that have been in or transited via countries not on the exemption list will need to quarantine for 14 days after arrival. However, starting Dec. 14, the quarantine period will be shortened to 10 days, and, starting Dec. 15, the quarantine period can be shortened even further if you test negative at least five days after leaving non-exempt countries. The exemption list is subject to change (with countries being added or removed) on short notice. Note that, even if one is required to quarantine, one is permitted to leave the UK to continue their travels before their 14- or 10-day quarantine period is complete. For more information, see UK Border Control.
...in the EU? In the Schengen Area?
In late June, the European Commission recommended that external borders be reopened to short-term visitors arriving from several countries deemed to have adequately maintained the virus. This list has been updated, as of Oct. 22, to consist of Australia, China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity), Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Uruguay. This list, however, is non-binding among member countries and is subject to change. Nevertheless, several countries within the EU or the Schengen Area have used this list as guidance, permitting arrivals from these countries as well as "EU+" countries (which includes EU and Schengen countries as well as the UK). These restrictions typically are not based on nationality but rather travel history and/or residency; consult resources from your destination country. Fully airside non-Schengen to non-Schengen transits are typically permitted, but confirm and consult resources from your transit country to see if further documentation is required. As the various EU and Schengen countries have opened their external borders to third--country nationals in various ways and with different exceptions, it is imperative that travelers check the entry requirements for their ports-of-entry. A summary of travel restrictions is provided by the European Union, but many have reported that government (e.g. embassy or foreign ministry) resources have been more detailed and accurate.
...in South Korea?
At the time of writing, most nationalities with visa-free or visa-waiver arrangements with Korea have had their visa-free/waiver status suspended, primarily on the basis of the reciprocal entry restrictions for Korean citizens. There are also additional entry and transit restrictions of those traveling from China. International arrivals, with very few exceptions, will be required to quarantine for 14 days; non-residents will be required to quarantine in government facilities at their own expense. For more information, see the Korea Immigration Service.
...in Japan?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals who have been in one of 150+ countries for purposes other than transit are not permitted to enter Japan. Further, visas and visa exemptions for nationals from many countries have been suspended. Permanent residents, long-term residents, and spouses and children of Japanese citizens may be exempt from these entry restrictions provided they meet certain conditions. Those individuals, including Japanese citizens, that are permitted to enter Japan will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. For more information, see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
When will borders reopen or travel restrictions be lifted? Is it safe/a good idea to book travel for a particular time months ahead?
It is, of course, impossible to say when travel restrictions are lifted for every country. Where no news has been officially provided, it is often very difficult to predict as countries will make decisions based on the progress of the pandemic – which is an unknown – as well as other pressures (e.g. economic or social). Consider that the progress of the pandemic and efforts to combat it are unpredictable. Perhaps there will be a vaccine by the time you travel, but perhaps there won't be. Perhaps there will be a resurgence of cases, rendering your travel unwise or impossible, but perhaps there won't be. Perhaps the objective of your trip will be closed, but perhaps it won't be. Realize that you are taking a risk by deciding to speculatively book travel in the hopes that travel restrictions are lifted. With this unprecedented situation, old adages about when it's best to purchase airfare may no longer be valid. In any event, be aware of the policies of your airlines and accommodations for credits and/or refunds should you need to reschedule or cancel. Further, understand that airlines may make it very difficult to receive a refund, even if legally required. Many travelers report waiting months to receive refunds on cancelled flights or otherwise being stonewalled when requesting a refund. And be aware that if your airline goes out of business, your funds could be lost forever. Take note of your jurisdiction's laws regarding refunds for cancelled flights. For example:
So should I cancel a trip that I've already booked? And how? Will insurance help?
These questions were covered at length in the second megathread. Although countries may be starting to "reopen", the points therein are still relevant. Previous related megathreads:
Singapore expat jobs under threat in recession, local hire push
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/singapore-expat-jobs-under-threat-in-recession-local-hire-push Singapore has long been the city of choice for Western expats wanting an easy entree into Asia. Clean, efficient, with low tax rates, it's often seen as rivalling Hong Kong, especially with that city hit by street protests and unrest over China's new national security law. Yet just when Singapore should be a magnet for global talent, some recruiters say the barriers to entry are mounting. The city is facing the worst recession in its history, forcing a rethink for some firms on expansion and hiring plans. Alongside soaring unemployment has come a spike in rhetoric against foreigners, seen by some Singaporeans as taking jobs from locals. An experienced nurse from New Zealand is finding out how tough it can be. She seemed, on paper at least, the ideal expat - arriving with her partner right before Covid-19. But 11 months and over 200 failed applications later, she says she's on the verge of going home, unable to land a work pass. She was told by companies that they have a quota and the quota is met, she said, asking not to be identified for fear of jeopardising her partner's work permit. When attempts to volunteer at hospitals were similarly rejected, she said she felt like she didn't belong. The uncertain job prospects, online commentary and stricter conditions risk making Singapore a less welcoming destination just as the city-state needs foreign investment the most. And as workplaces clamp down on hiring it could further limit the options for expats who have long seen a stint in Asia as an important and lucrative experience. The Singapore government has added to their angst by taking steps to promote local hiring, raising concern that it will come at the expense of expats. Earlier this month, it put 47 companies on a watch list for suspected discriminatory hiring practices. The list includes banks, fund managers and consulting firms that may have pre-selected foreigners for jobs or not given Singaporeans a fair chance. This adds to the 240 companies already under scrutiny. The names of the firms weren't disclosed. And in May, it tightened the framework that governs employment passes for foreigners, increasing the minimum monthly salary to S$3,900 and further expanding rules requiring employers to advertise job openings to locals first. The government said on Wednesday it plans to raise that salary threshold further. "I wouldn't be surprised if there was a contraction in the number of visas issued because the demand for foreigners is going to be less" in the near term, said Hays regional director for Singapore Grant Torrens, citing the sharp contraction as the main driver. The role of foreign workers became a key election issue this year, with several opposition candidates campaigning on claims that overseas talent is taking local jobs. The Workers' Party, which clinched more seats than ever, published a manifesto that included tightening employment pass approvals. "The only reason we have foreigners here is to give an extra wind in our sails when the opportunity is there," Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said in a televised election debate in July. "Now we are in a storm, and we need to shed ballast." Dr Balakrishnan's office said in response to Bloomberg queries on the comment that there will be a disproportionate impact on the foreign workforce in a downturn. Foreign workers on employment passes - the sort issued to highly skilled workers as opposed to work permits for blue-collar jobs - typically comprise around 5 per cent of the total workforce. Yet among top managers and professionals in some key sectors, the ratio of foreigners can be much higher. Non-Singaporeans made up 57 per cent of senior management roles across the financial services sector, the government said in August. Andrew Zee, team lead for financial services at Selby Jennings, said some of his job candidates were recently denied permits - a first for him in more than four years - though they were later approved on appeal. Sirva Inc, which owns Allied Pickfords, said inquiries from people wanting to move to Singapore in the first seven months of the year were down 23 per cent from the same period in 2019, according to Amanda Jones, senior vice-president of sales and account management. Ms Jones doesn't expect to see expat executives coming to Singapore at pre-Covid numbers until 2022 at best, especially given travel curbs and the recession. EXPATS LEAVING The shift is starting to be felt in the real estate market. Ella Sherman, an associate executive sales director at Knight Frank in Singapore who specialises in expat housing, says she normally signs about four rental agreements a month this time of year. Now she's lucky to secure one, and knows of several clients heading home. Beyond the economic woes and the pandemic lies an unease over foreigners in the country of just 5.7 million people. This has surfaced in public calls, often on social media, for more hiring of locals. When a Facebook post targeting foreign executives at US$215 billion investment giant Temasek Holdings went viral this month, chief executive officer Ho Ching responded with a post of her own describing it as "a cowardly act of hate". JOB CUTS Companies are taking pains to describe their efforts to retain Singaporean jobs. When Millennium Hotels and Resorts laid off 159 employees this month, it noted that the move lifted its "core" Singaporean workforce to 69 per cent. After casino operator Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) reportedly cut 2,000 jobs last month, the Ministry of Manpower issued a statement saying the majority of affected workers were foreigners. "After the retrenchment exercise, RWS has a stronger Singaporean core," the ministry said. Even expats abroad are feeling the pinch. One worker was overseas and between jobs when the pandemic struck. Though he quickly found a new position, he said his employment pass submission has been rejected several times with no explanation. He's now stuck in Europe paying rent for his empty home in Singapore, unable to return until his visa gets approved. He declined to be identified for fear of jeopardising his application. He said the rising anti-foreigner rhetoric was equally worrisome. For some, the social tensions were brought to the fore when a few expats were caught breaching government-imposed lockdowns by drinking and mingling outdoors without masks in May. The incident sparked an ugly debate on social media and prompted a minister to caution against the "visceral reaction" by locals. The offenders were fined and banned from working in Singapore, as were 134 others over May and June. GREEN CARDS To be sure, some politicians are urging calm. Singaporeans want assurances that the government will continue to create opportunities and provide fair treatment, but a vast majority "understand that staying open and connected is very important to Singapore", Manpower Minister Josephine Teo said on Wednesday. Singapore isn't alone in fighting for local jobs. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order this month barring federal agencies from replacing citizens or green card holders with foreign workers. And the city-state's status as a finance hub ensures it will always be magnet for foreign talent. Citadel, the hedge fund run by billionaire Ken Griffin, announced this week it's opening a Singapore office, as did Sun Life Financial, Canada's second-biggest insurer. ATTRACTIVE HUB "Singapore remains an attractive destination," said Rahul Sen, the global head of private wealth management at Boyden, an executive search firm. "New businesses that were thinking of setting up in Hong Kong to attract Greater China wealth are thinking of setting up shop in Singapore." Even so, the avenues for many are narrowing. The nurse from New Zealand has started reaching out to healthcare providers back home. They're eager to hire so she may head back. "Singapore is an amazing city, and we hoped that if we stayed long enough, things would change," she said. "But the longer it takes, the further away it seems."
Coronavirus Megathread (Late Nov 2020): For travel-related discussion in the context of COVID-19
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to have a major effect on travel – with many now looking to understand if, when, or how their travels might be feasible – /travel is shifting to semi-monthly megathreads until the crisis dissipates. In the interest of reducing the number of one-off questions, before you post a question about how to deal with your individual travel plans, consider whether your situation is adequately addressed by the following:
Are borders open? What entry or transit restrictions are in place? Will I need to quarantine?
A list of travel restrictions can be found in a number of sources, including from IATA, Kayak's travel restriction map, or this alternative site that draws information from IATA. Note that IATA only deals with travel restrictions by air (so it will not speak to any land border restrictions or closures). You may also do well to check out government and embassy sources from the destination country (and sometimes from your own embassy in the destination country). Because information can change on short notice, it is important to verify the latest information, ideally from government sources.
...in the US?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals are prohibited from entering or transiting the US if they have been in or transited via Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, the Schengen Area, or the UK in the preceding 14 days. Exceptions to this rule include green card holders. Note that (except for, of course, US citizens) this is not a citizenship-based restriction; it is purely based on travel history. The land borders with Mexico and Canada are closed to all except those travelling for essential purposes, but air, rail, and sea (but not commuter rail or ferry) ports-of-entry remain open to non-essential travel. There are no quarantine-on-arrival requirements at the nationwide level, but individual states and/or cities may have their own requirements. You will need to confirm with information from your destination state or city. As an example, this is New York State's travel advisory/quarantine page; as you will discover there, travelers are permitted to break quarantine to leave New York State and the state's quarantine restrictions would not prevent you from boarding a connecting flight. For more information, see the US CDC's COVID-19 page.
...in Canada?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals are barred from entering Canada unless they are traveling for certain, mostly essential reasons, regardless of mode of travel. Those traveling from countries other than the US must also fulfill one of several additional categories of exemptions. Those who are permitted to travel to Canada for non-essential purposes include – aside from Canadians – permanent residents and certain family members of Canadians and permanent residents. Those wishing to travel to Canada on compassionate reasons may do so provided they receive authorization from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Fully airside international transits are typically permitted. All international arrivals are required to quarantine for 14 days. For more information, see the Canadian government's COVID-19 travel restrictions page.
...in Mexico?
At the time of writing, there are no changes to Mexico's standard entry requirements. However, the land border with the United States is officially closed to all except those travelling for essential purposes. Travelers must fill out a "Questionnaire of Identification of Risk Factors in Travelers", available here, to present upon arrival. There are no quarantine requirements upon arrival in Mexico. For more information, see information provided by Mexican embassies, including the Mexican Embassy in the Netherlands.
...in the UK?
At the time of writing, there are no changes to the UK's standard entry requirements. However, international arrivals that have been in or transited via countries not on the exemption list will need to quarantine for 14 days after arrival. The exemption list is subject to change (with countries being added or removed) on short notice. Note that, even if one is required to quarantine, one is permitted to leave the UK to continue their travels before the 14-day period is complete. For more information, see UK Border Control.
...in the EU? In the Schengen Area?
In late June, the European Commission recommended that external borders be reopened to short-term visitors arriving from several countries deemed to have adequately maintained the virus. This list has been updated, as of Oct. 22, to consist of Australia, China (subject to confirmation of reciprocity), Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Uruguay. This list, however, is non-binding among member countries and is subject to change. Nevertheless, several countries within the EU or the Schengen Area have used this list as guidance, permitting arrivals from these countries as well as "EU+" countries (which includes EU and Schengen countries as well as the UK). These restrictions typically are not based on nationality but rather travel history and/or residency; consult resources from your destination country. Fully airside non-Schengen to non-Schengen transits are typically permitted, but confirm and consult resources from your transit country to see if further documentation is required. As the various EU and Schengen countries have opened their external borders to third--country nationals in various ways and with different exceptions, it is imperative that travelers check the entry requirements for their ports-of-entry. A summary of travel restrictions is provided by the European Union, but many have reported that government (e.g. embassy or foreign ministry) resources have been more detailed and accurate.
...in South Korea?
At the time of writing, most nationalities with visa-free or visa-waiver arrangements with Korea have had their visa-free/waiver status suspended, primarily on the basis of the reciprocal entry restrictions for Korean citizens. There are also additional entry and transit restrictions of those traveling from China. International arrivals, with very few exceptions, will be required to quarantine for 14 days; non-residents will be required to quarantine in government facilities at their own expense. For more information, see the Korea Immigration Service.
...in Japan?
At the time of writing, foreign nationals who have been in one of 150+ countries for purposes other than transit are not permitted to enter Japan. Further, visas and visa exemptions for nationals from many countries have been suspended. Permanent residents, long-term residents, and spouses and children of Japanese citizens may be exempt from these entry restrictions provided they meet certain conditions. Those individuals, including Japanese citizens, that are permitted to enter Japan will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. For more information, see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
When will borders reopen or travel restrictions be lifted? Is it safe/a good idea to book travel for a particular time months ahead?
It is, of course, impossible to say when travel restrictions are lifted for every country. Where no news has been officially provided, it is often very difficult to predict as countries will make decisions based on the progress of the pandemic – which is an unknown – as well as other pressures (e.g. economic or social). Consider that the progress of the pandemic and efforts to combat it are unpredictable. Perhaps there will be a vaccine by the time you travel, but perhaps there won't be. Perhaps there will be a resurgence of cases, rendering your travel unwise or impossible, but perhaps there won't be. Perhaps the objective of your trip will be closed, but perhaps it won't be. Realize that you are taking a risk by deciding to speculatively book travel in the hopes that travel restrictions are lifted. With this unprecedented situation, old adages about when it's best to purchase airfare may no longer be valid. In any event, be aware of the policies of your airlines and accommodations for credits and/or refunds should you need to reschedule or cancel. Further, understand that airlines may make it very difficult to receive a refund, even if legally required. Many travelers report waiting months to receive refunds on cancelled flights or otherwise being stonewalled when requesting a refund. And be aware that if your airline goes out of business, your funds could be lost forever. Take note of your jurisdiction's laws regarding refunds for cancelled flights. For example:
So should I cancel a trip that I've already booked? And how? Will insurance help?
These questions were covered at length in the second megathread. Although countries may be starting to "reopen", the points therein are still relevant. Previous related megathreads:
On December 4th 1977, a Malaysia Airlines 737 was hijacked on approach to Kuala Lumpur. The crew told ATC that they were being ordered to fly to Singapore—but minutes later, the hijacker shot both pilots and the 737 crashed into a swamp, killing everyone on board. The mystery: who did it, and why?
Before MH370 disappeared in the Indian Ocean, before MH17 was shot down over Ukraine, Malaysia Airlines was known for a different, equally mysterious tragedy: the hijacking and crash of flight 653, a Boeing 737-200 on a short domestic flight from Penang to Kuala Lumpur. Who exactly was behind the incident, and why they crashed the plane, remain unknown to this day. What follows is my best attempt to fit together all the known facts, weed out the misinformation, and clarify the debate about what might have happened. ••• For a long time, the discussion of the crash was muddied by the fact that the final report on the incident was never publicly released by the Malaysian government. That changed in 2019, when a Malaysian blogger found a copy of the report in a library in Singapore and republished verbatim its findings—including the cockpit voice recording, which was appended to the report. Last time this crash was mentioned on UnresolvedMysteries, this information was unavailable, and in light of the revelations of the CVR transcript, much of the content of that post appears to have been misleading or outright wrong. The following is the sequence of events as revealed by the cockpit voice recording and other reliable sources of information, followed by an analysis of the possible suspects. ••• Part 1: The Flight Malaysia Airline System (as Malaysia Airlines was then known) in 1977 operated most of its short domestic flights using the Boeing 737-200, a popular workhorse aircraft that could carry about 100 passengers. One such aircraft (photo) was used for flight 635, a short, popular route from the northwestern city of Penang to the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and then onward to Singapore. On the 4th of December 1977, there were 93 passengers and seven crew on board, led by Captain G. K. Ganjoor and First Officer Karamuzaman Jali. Among the passengers were citizens of 14 different countries, including the Malaysian Agriculture Minister, two world bank officials, and the Cuban ambassador to Japan. Several of these figures would find themselves (posthumously) caught up in the intrigue that followed the crash. Flight 653 departed Penang at 19:21 and climbed normally to its cruising altitude, which it held for a short time before beginning its descent into Kuala Lumpur. The descent was completely normal until around the time the plane passed through 4,000 feet, just minutes from landing. It was at that point that some sort of commotion in the passenger cabin or the galley attracted the attention of the pilots. Everything henceforth is quoted directly from the cockpit voice recording. The first sign of trouble is heard when Captain Ganjoor exclaims, “What the hell is that,” followed moments later by, “What is going on by there [sic]?” A knocking sound is heard on the cockpit door, and Ganjoor says, “Open, it’s open. Ask him to come in.” At that time, the protocol was to assume that any hijacker’s intention was to land the plane in another country in order to seek asylum or ransom the passengers, and pilots were expected to comply with hijackers’ demands. If the hijacker threatened to blow up the plane, the pilots were not only expected but were obligated to let the hijacker into the cockpit if he so desired. The hijacker now enters the cockpit and says one word: “Out.” Confused by this, Captain Ganjoor replies, “We are, er, you don’t want us to land?” “Yes. Out,” the hijacker replies. “Cut all radio contact.” “I beg your pardon?” “Cut all radio contact, now.” Before complying, First Officer Jali informs air traffic control that flight 653 is going around—leaving the traffic pattern and climbing away from the airport. It’s important for ATC to know what the plane is doing in order to prevent collisions. “Where are we now?” the hijacker asks. “We are over, er, over Kuala Lumpur,” both pilots answer, talking over one another. “Cut all radio contact,” the hijacker repeats. Captain Ganjoor assumes the hijacker wants to go to some third country, perhaps to seek asylum. Such hijackings were frequent in the 1970s. But this is a short domestic flight, and there isn’t much fuel on board. Ganjoor tries to explain this to the hijacker, stating, “Yes, but we don’t have much fuel sir to go anywhere. We—just enough up to Singapore, whatever you want.” But the hijacker doesn’t reply. The pilots run through several procedures before Ganjoor again asks, “Anything you want us to do, sir?” The hijacker replies with a chilling line: “Sorry, it’s time to put you two out. You are landing now.” Ganjoor once again sounds confused. “No sir—er, you want us to land?” “No, no,” the hijacker answers. Ganjoor launches into a lengthy but courteous explanation of why he has to keep talking to air traffic control. Although the hijacker is silent throughout the lecture, he seems to be convinced by the end, as he eventually says, “Contact them, say you are going to Singapore.” After Ganjoor finishes apprising ATC of his intentions, the hijacker chimes in again to ask (with a please, even) to lock the cockpit door. Several unintelligible conversations ensue, followed by more attempts by Captain Ganjoor to explain his options to the hijacker, all of which go unanswered. Eventually the hijacker agrees to let Ganjoor tell the passengers what’s going on, but he elects not to. A flight attendant enters the cockpit, and Ganjoor briefs him or her on his intentions. “Now, er, don’t say anything to the passengers, OK? And I don’t want any nonsense from the passengers, OK, and OK, merely tell them that we are diverting to Singapore due to weather or whatever, OK?” A few minutes later, Captain Ganjoor asks, “Do you want us to convey any message to Singapore?” “[Unintelligible] just land there,” the hijacker replies. Shortly after this, the hijacker says, “You are landing now.” “No sir, we are now—we have climbed to 21,000 feet, and then we are—” Ganjoor is here interrupted by the hijacker. “We are serious!” the man exclaims. “—about, er Malacca, we are still about Malacca,” Ganjoor concludes. As Ganjoor reports his position over Malacca to ATC, the hijacker issues another ominous warning: “I think the two of you are getting out of hand.” The ensuing conversation is difficult to follow due to the large number of unintelligible lines. But the situation seems to stabilize after a few minutes. “How many miles more?” the hijacker asks. “About 70 miles, that’s Singapore,” said Ganjoor, possibly pointing out the window. It is important to note that by this time it was dark outside the aircraft with only surface lights visible. “Are we traveling over land?” asks the hijacker. “Well, we’re almost near Batu Pahat—are you familiar with Batu Pahat?” Ganjoor says. “Now we are going in for Singapore landing.” At that moment, flight 653 begins to descend toward Singapore. Ganjoor again informs the hijacker that they will do whatever he wants, but they have to land in Singapore first. This is followed by a bizarre exchange as a flight attendant comes to the cockpit and apparently takes everyone’s drink orders. The hijacker then says something unintelligible, to which Ganjoor replies, “Whatever you say, sir. Everything is alright, sir, you don’t—er, we’re not going to do anything funny, no, never.” At that moment First Officer Jali announces that they are passing through 11,000 feet. “What is this?” the hijacker asks. “You bluff us!” About one minute later (the exact time is difficult to say as the transcript is not time-stamped) the sequence of events takes a dark turn. A bang suddenly erupts in the cockpit as the hijacker fires a gun, which is followed by a groan, probably from the first officer. “No, please don’t!” Captain Ganjoor exclaims. Another gunshot rings out, and Ganjoor screams, “No, please, no!” The hijacker then fires his gun a third time, and Ganjoor says, “Please, oh, oh…,” his words trailing off into a dying gasp. The transcript notes a loud thump, like that of something falling. Over the next approximately 40 seconds, no one speaks in the cockpit; the only sounds are an overspeed warning and a frantic flurry of knocking on the cockpit door. But within a relatively short time, the overspeed warning stops, and the sound of something brushing against the microphone is clearly heard on the tape. And then, someone says: “It won’t come up!” The transcript only notes that this is “not the voice of either pilot,” apparently suggesting that it is someone other than the original hijacker. Who is in the cockpit? “Still won’t come up!” someone says again. “It still won’t come up!” The overspeed warning comes back on, then turns back off. There are several unintelligible lines, for which the transcript provides the annotation, “Two persons, possibly involved in a struggle.” This is followed by a low altitude alert, the sound of someone moving around, and an unintelligible utterance in an unidentified foreign language. The overspeed warning activates again, and then the tape abruptly ends. ••• Part II: The Mystery Flight 653 plunged out of the sky in a steep dive near the village of Kampong Ladang in Johor state, near the border with Singapore. The 737 slammed into a swamp at high speed and disintegrated utterly, triggering a massive explosion which spewed mangled debris over a wide area. Search and rescue teams rushed to the site to look for survivors, but they only found small pieces of bodies; it was obvious that none of the 100 passengers and crew could have survived, making this (at the time) the deadliest plane crash in Malaysian history and the deadliest-ever aircraft hijacking. From that point, two parallel inquiries emerged: one to establish the facts of what happened, and another to determine who was responsible. The former inquiry produced the report which was republished online in 2019 and which contained the transcript paraphrased above. It also noted several other key facts. First of all, although some witnesses reported that the plane exploded in midair, the investigators found no evidence that the plane was anything other than intact when it hit the ground. And second, they noted that the departure from normal flight began with a large pitch up, followed by a large pitch down from which the recovery was unsuccessful. Notably, it did not conclude how many hijackers there were, who was controlling the plane at the end, or who was involved in the “struggle” after the hijacker shot the pilots. The report simply stated that the probable cause of the crash was the departure from controlled flight after the incapacitation of the crew, and left the rest to the criminal inquiry. ••• Although in the end no one was ever charged, there were some clues right off the bat in the hunt for the perpetrators. The air traffic controller provided the first hint, reportedly stating that the pilot told him the hijacker was with the Japanese Red Army. The Japanese Red Army, or JRA, was a communist organization which believed in bringing about worldwide revolution through terrorism. The group is perhaps best known for executing the 1972 Lod Airport attacks in Tel Aviv, Israel, in which JRA terrorists with support from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine attacked travelers at Tel Aviv’s Lod Airport using guns and grenades, killing 26 and wounding 80. Prior to the crash of flight 653, the group had also hijacked three Japan Airlines flights (no one was harmed in any of these incidents), stormed a Shell oil facility in Singapore, stormed the French embassy in The Hague, stormed the American Insurance Associates building in Kuala Lumpur (hostages included the US consul), and carried out an attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport which killed four people. Malaysian authorities picked up this lead and ran with it publicly. Despite the government’s statements, the evidence that the JRA was responsible is rather scant. The CVR transcript does not contain any evidence of the exchange with ATC which reportedly contained the attribution to the JRA, nor is there anything in the transcript which would suggest a connection with the JRA or any other terrorist group. (However, there were several segments of the conversation which were marked as “unintelligible,” and the possibility that these contained some statement of allegiance cannot be ruled out.) Furthermore, I was unable to find any evidence that the JRA ever claimed responsibility for the hijacking, which is usually one of the first things a terrorist group does after it carries out an attack. If the JRA was responsible, it doesn’t make sense that they would keep it a secret. It’s also unclear who they intended to capture or kill, if anyone; the JRA was generally sympathetic to Fidel Castro’s regime, so the Cuban ambassador to Japan doesn’t seem like an obvious target. Although there was one Japanese citizen on the plane, probably “Tomio Goto” (based off the list of passengers attached to the official report), I couldn’t find any information about this passenger at all, let alone anything that would tie them to the JRA, which only had a few dozen members at the time. And finally, the Malaysian home minister denied that the JRA was responsible, and the Malaysian prime minister stated that only one hijacker was involved, a fact not consistent with an organized terrorist plot. One has to wonder, then, whether the Malaysian government simply blamed the JRA because it was an easy and uncontroversial culprit. This suspicion is reinforced by the identity of the most popular alternative suspect: the agriculture minister’s personal bodyguard. Because of the total destruction of the plane, the gun heard so clearly on the cockpit voice recording was never found, so its owner couldn’t be traced. But there was one gun which was already known to be on the plane, and it belonged to the bodyguard accompanying Malaysian Agriculture Minister Dato Ali Haji Ahmed. Furthermore, it was rumored that the pair flew this route frequently, and the bodyguard had previously gotten into a confrontation with Captain Ganjoor. On a previous flight, Ganjoor allegedly asked to take the guard’s gun to the cockpit with him, since no one was allowed to carry guns in the passenger cabin. This resulted in an argument of unclear length and intensity. Later, Malaysia Airlines allegedly issued a memo stating that the agriculture minister’s bodyguard was allowed to take his gun on board without handing it over to the pilot. A Malaysian MP asked whether these allegations were true during a parliamentary hearing on the crash in 1978, entering them into the public record, but he received no definitive answer. There exists no clear motive for the bodyguard to have perpetrated the hijacking, however. A grudge against Captain Ganjoor is somewhat believable, but then why play out a long, dramatic hijacking, only to kill Ganjoor and 99 others nearly an hour later? There is far too much missing information to say with any certainty that the guard was responsible. ••• Instead of working forward from a suspect to arrive at the crash, I decided to work backwards from the crash to profile a suspect. Based on the behavior of the hijacker, I think that the hijacking might not have been planned very long in advance, if it was planned at all. First of all, hijacking a plane while on final approach to the airport is quite unusual, and isn’t normally done by experienced hijackers because it provides little time to negotiate. Second, the hijacker did not seem to know where he wanted the pilots to take him, except that he really didn’t want to land in Kuala Lumpur. His desire to avoid landing in Malaysia bordered on desperation. This again points to a hijacking that was not meticulously planned. The hijacker didn’t seem too keen on going to Singapore either, however, and it was clear that he accepted this destination only with great reluctance. Furthermore, he seemed agitated and unsure of what was going on. Unable to see anything recognizable outside the plane due to the darkness, he repeatedly asked where they were, and towards the end of the flight he seemed to doubt that the pilots were telling the truth about their position. Based on the CVR transcript, I believe that in his intense state of paranoia, he thought the pilots were bluffing about going to Singapore. (“What is this? You bluff us!”) So what did he think they were doing instead of landing in Singapore that set him off so violently? The only definite demand he ever made was that they not fly to Kuala Lumpur, so I think the hijacker must have believed that the pilots were actually circling back to this airport, and that’s why he became agitated. His fear of landing in Kuala Lumpur—or of what awaited him there—was so intense that he opted to kill the pilots and himself rather than face that outcome. I also think he acted alone, because of the Prime Minister’s statement, his behavior during the flight, and his lack of a clear plan. Although he occasionally used the pronouns “us” and “we,” my opinion is that he was attempting to scare the pilots into believing there were more hijackers. It’s unclear what exactly happened in the final moments of the flight. It seems clear enough that the hijacker shot and killed (or mortally wounded) both pilots, but it’s not clear whether the third shot was intended to finish off Captain Ganjoor, or whether he turned the gun on himself. He might have remained alive given the “struggle” heard later on the CVR, but without hearing the actual tape, I can’t rule out the possibility that this is the sound of one or more people (such as flight attendants) attempting to move one of the dead pilots out of his seat in order to regain control of the plane. Also, if the hijacker did not kill himself, the utterances of “it won’t come up” are difficult to explain. If it was the hijacker who said these lines, that suggests that he didn’t intend to crash the plane, but had accidentally lost control while attempting to redirect it somewhere else. It’s possible he pulled up in an attempt to stop descending toward the airport, but did so far too steeply; then overcorrected in the opposite direction, putting the plane into a dive from which he could not recover. Alternatively, the transcript’s annotations suggest that this voice could belong to someone who is not the hijacker nor one of the pilots. One of the flight attendants could have heard the shots and then unlocked or beaten down the cockpit door. An article published four days ago suggests that security personnel on board the plane might also have done this. (The time between the last gunshot and the first sound of someone moving in the cockpit is about 40 seconds.) During that time, one of the pilots’ bodies could have bumped the yoke and put the plane into a dive. The flight attendant or security guard might then have attempted to reach over one of the pilots’ dead bodies to pull the plane out of the dive, but was unable to do so because the body was in the way, prompting him or her to say “it won’t come up.” The “struggle” involving multiple people could then have been multiple flight attendants or guards moving the pilot’s body out of the way. But by the time they succeeded in gaining access to the controls, if they did so at all, it was far too late, especially for someone who presumably had no knowledge of how to fly a Boeing 737. Ultimately, these clues do not point me to a particular person of interest. Most likely, the perpetrator was mentally ill, and either smuggled the gun on board or overpowered the bodyguard and stole it from him. It’s also possible that it was a scenario like the 1996 hijacking of Ethiopian Airlines flight 961. In that case, three men armed with broken bottles and an axe stormed the cockpit and ordered the captain to fly to Australia. They told the captain that there were 11 hijackers and that they would blow up the plane if he didn’t comply. (There were actually only 3 and they didn’t have a bomb.) They also said that they had escaped from prison and had been subjected to torture in Ethiopia and were seeking asylum abroad. The hijacker of flight 653 might well have been in a similar situation: suffering persecution in Malaysia and desperate to get anywhere else, only to become convinced by his own paranoia that they were landing in Kuala Lumpur, and that death would be preferable to going back. ••• Unfortunately, the case of flight 653 remains unsolved. But based on this analysis, here are some speculative questions to kick start the discussion: • What was the hijacker’s motive? • Did the bodyguard or the JRA have anything to do with it? • Did the hijacker kill himself before the crash? • Did the hijacker intend to crash the plane? I look forward to hearing your thoughts. EDIT: Since there's a lot of discussion of it, here are the three proposed scenarios for how the final minute went down, summarized as concisely as possible.
The hijacker shoots both pilots and attempts to take control of the plane, but inadvertently puts it into a dive. Passengers/crew break into the cockpit and subdue him but it's too late.
The hijacker shoots both pilots and deliberately puts the plane into a dive. Passengers/crew break into the cockpit and subdue him but it's too late.
The hijacker shoots both pilots and himself; the plane enters an uncontrolled climb followed by descent. Passengers/crew break into the cockpit and attempt to recover control but it's too late.
You may recognize me as the author of the series on solved plane crashes on CatastrophicFailure. This is my second post on UnresolvedMysteries regarding an unsolved plane crash; you can read the first post here.
Differing theories on what an engagement means...?
Hey everyone, so I'm jumping on here following a conversation I had with my BF which has left me a little perplexed to say the least. I'll preface this by saying we are both very, very young. My boyfriend (23M) and I (22F) have been together 4 years now. We met through mutual friends in college. We were both very involved in the same religious youth group ( even though we grew up in different countries (CA and the US) ) so we were in similar social circles going into uni. I actually became really really good friends with his friends because we took part in the same volunteering trips abroad, somehow though he and I only really met years later. We started dating while I was starting my second year and he was starting his third. Our university only provides student housing and dining for first year students, so by the time we started dating I was sharing an apartment with a good friend of mine and he had just signed a lease on a studio (after living with roomates for a year and deciding he wanted some peace and quiet to focus on his engineering degree). Anyways, our relationship is developing really nicely and maturely. We both were completing STEM degrees, so we rarely had time to go out (most of our time was spent studying and our quality time was relaxing with a drink or TV after a long day of class + studying). We developed our own "mutual" friend circle, had lovely times with them. I think the challenging workload + the transition from dorm life (and thus greater social interactions) to apartment living conditioned us to become HUGE homebodies even though we were 20 yrs old. I realize it's odd to think of college kids as "independent," but when you're financing your own degree, balancing part time work and the responsibilities of apartment hunting, learning how to fend for yourself in a big city, learning to shop and cook for yourself, figuring out how to budget, all while living in a foreign city and balancing full courseloads, I do think you tend to gain some maturity a lot faster than if you're totally shielded from adult life. I saved up enough to move into my own place by my 3rd year. I had a small 1 bedroom, about a 20 min walk from campus. He and I are spending a lot more time together, exploring how to be a couple in a very vibrant and exciting city. He basically moved in a month or so after I settled in. He still kept his apartment, but he never spent any time there. We found pleasure in grocery shopping together, started splitting most bills and such. We were both HUGE savers, so we afforded some weekend trips with friends or "romantic" getaways to the mountains. We built a mutual friend group. Our university is huge (80k), so we kind of built our own little home. We did both maintain our own seperate social circles (which was very very necessary since we were living together). We were quite busy in our final year, I was working as a research assistant in biostatistics and was very involved in public health research projects. He did his co-op with an engineering company (which was a solid hour drive away). We took care of each other. He'd pick me up from the Medical building (where I was working) and make sure dinner was ready. I packed him lunch, he did the dishes, I did the laundry, he got the groceries because I hated walking up so many stairs with heavy bags in the dead of winter. Anyways, very "domestic" for 21-22 yr olds. LOL. We were both very career-oriented so we spent our summers working / interning, usually in different cities (I went to South Africa for 3 months, he went to Singapore for an internship for 2 months). We saved up enough to go to Thailand for a month between my 3rd and 4th year (his 4th and 5th year). Since we knew each other's "rough" schedules we were very accomodating and helpful, but we still felt very independent. Date night once every two weeks (nothing fancy, we were students, but there were many affordable bars and restaurants around where we lived). I always grabbed coffee or had yoag with my friends on certain days, I knew when he was out with his engineering friends or had work events (we usually attended each other's professional events together). Friday nights were religious services + dinner with friends. Saturday morning was dedicated to services. We did hockey nights with his brother who also lived nearby in a shared apartment. At this point, he and I are very well acquainted with each others families. I've been to his childhood home a few times. We've done holidays together (Thanksgiving at my parents place). We've traveled abroad together, gone to multiple family weddings together. Have been through "bouts" of LDR. We're both very career oriented, but he's a lot more "family" oriented in that he comes from a big and very closely knit family. I know his entire extended family and vice versa. The only thing we're "waiting on" is that our parents haven't met in person yet (they've facetimed together, text, and are on each other's holiday mailing list). My parents are more traditional and would want to wait till we get engaged to meet his parents in person. Our interests don't fully line up, but that's fine, we do our own thing and appreciate that we are different. My idea of fun is going out with friends for a drink/dinner or reading at home. He's more into hiking and skiing and all forms of physical activity (which is good for me since I get to try new things with him). We've been living together since graduation, we both work full time in our fields. One day we got a call from his BFF to tell us he'd just gotten engaged. We congratulated him and his fiancee (we both know them very well, went away on a few camping trips over the years). My BF sat down with me and was like "I can't believe my BFF is getting married... he was always such a player and a kid... totally not the settling down for a girl." Also, I should say that in our religious circle it is very normal for people to get engaged around 21, married at 22. It's not abnormal if people wait till they're older, but it's definitely very very very normal to get engaged young. He and I know we'd want to raise a family within marriage. We've discussed how we'd want to raise our kids (religion, ethics) where we'd want to live geographically etc... but something about this moment felt WEIRD. So I asked him "well, have you give any thought to us maybe making that step?" Do you see it happening in the future?"" My BF told me he did see himself proposing one day, but also made it very clear I shouldn't be holding my breath any time soon. I asked him what he thought. He told me he wanted to wait till we were absolutely settled first "ie, he wants to make sure we can keep up the positive cohabitation (lol it's been more than 2 yrs at this point since we've been sharing a space)" He wants to wait till we are super super super settled. I kinda looked at him like, well that might take another 5-7-10 years? We're young and are going to realistically relocate for work/ travel / life happens. What if he moves to Kansas or Australia or somewhere I can't find work or something, are we supposed to follow each other everywhere without a prior form of committment? He seems to think so. I'm not saying I want to / feel a need to get engaged right now. But I worry he's just going to push it off forever if his definition of being ready for an engagement is "when my partner and I are ALREADY fully settled" ? I don't know how I feel waiting till I'm 27 to get engaged to someone I met at 18-19. I feel like we have a different understanding of what an engagement means... tl;dr I think, while my BF and I have somehow talked about marriage and our future extensively, I didn't realize we had different views on when was an appropriate time to get engaged/ what an engagement symbolizes.
Any great European travel stories you would like to share ? Funny, scary or all of above ? Love to hear them :) ... seeming Europe doesn't seem possible from my country any time soon :(
I can start it off with my first ever Euro experience. Avid traveller here, been to many countries and plenty of stories. But my very first Europe trip was one that i will never forget. I never had intentions to go to Europe, I am from Australia and was in a long term relationship. I only really went to tropical places around Asia previously. (now, many years later i am addicted to seeing more Europe). All this changed in 2016, where i was cast for a reality tv show in Transylvanian , Romanian. I auditioned for it on a Monday, and was told on a Friday they are flying me over in 5 days. It was a "escape room" style tv show where pairs (me and my then gf) would compete in fear style challenges to escape from "Draculas" castle. But that is another story. (i can provide youtube link on request, was on a Netherlands channel "insight tv") So now the trip, First a 8 hr flight to Singapore, stop over, then 14 hrs to London. 8 hour lay over there. Longest 8 hours in a airport ever. Never do that again. Then another 3 hours to Bucharest. Then a 1 hour propeller plane to Cluj-Napoca . This was full on, but the scary part was arriving. Once we land in Cluj, We are meant to be greeted by a driver to take us on to Transylvania (3.5 hr drive away). So my first ever European trip, in a foreign land with no English about 11 pm, we are one of the only people in the airport. It was a GHOST TOWN ! By now my phone battery was dead and i had no way to let the producers know i was here and waiting for the driver. We waited for around 45 mins at the front of the airport, literally the only people minus a cleaner and security guard. It was TERRIFYING. We start to worry, i look for a charger port somewhere so i can check my emails to see if there was a mix up. We are Freaking out. Finally this big Romanian man walks up to me, "mikey ?" yup. And then says "ok come" , proceeds to grab my bag and carry it over to the only car outside in the pitch black car park. My GF starts freaking out, "Mikey who is this guy, we dont even know if he is part of the tv crew, we cant just get in the car! ". So we start freaking out and i start asking questions standing at his car (it is November and cold) But he has no idea what i am saying.... So he pulls a phone out and starts dialling and hands it over to me. "Mikey, we are so sorry, your original driver had a flat tyre so we had to get a local to drive you, he speaks no English but has been instructed to stop by to get u food, see you soon" Phew. I do remember him trying to ask me questions while driving in very very broken English, but when we would talk, he would fully turn around while driving to look me in the face and respond, while going down a pitch black road about 80 km a hour. I would reply "its ok, its ok" and point to the road ! Was one hell of a drive and introduction to Europe. But welcome to Romania. I have been visiting Europe every year since.
Travelling to SG with older teens.. what places can you recommend?
I grew up in SG myself, spent nearly all my first 20 years there. Then I moved to UK, where I was born. And now 20 years later, I am thinking of visiting there again. I do have some family there - my late dad's Singaporean. This time I'm going with my kids, who are 19, 15, 13, and I'm looking at going in August or next year, when this pandemic is over, hopefully. I want to go there mainly to pay respects to my dad and my grandma at their graves, and also see some long lost friends I had from back in the day from school, polytechnic, etc. My kids are born and bred in the UK. They are mixed race and I know their idea of fun is not hanging out with me and other "oldies" like me all the time in Singapore. Culturally, they would be quite new to Singapore as they haven't really had the chance to socialise with other Singaporeans much here. So I'm wondering where they could hang out safely and meet friends for instance? They're into gaming, anime, drawing, etc. They're understandably a bit cautious about venturing in a foreign place on their own, so a bit uncertain at the moment about travelling anywhere there without me or a family member or friend. Well, that's why I want to take them there now, I think travelling can be good for them. They've not travelled much because their dad isn't into travelling. I'm thinking of spending a minimum of 2 weeks there, preferably 3 weeks. And maybe we'll slot in some family exploration time in between days, like maybe go to nature reserves, haunted houses or whatever. Yeah they like that sort of thing. Maybe skate parks too. And it'd just be me and them. Can you recommend anything suitable for them to do or make friends? I am not very close with the other remaining family members tbh.. there's some bad family vibes.. I am however still in contact with a few good friends who would definitely be showing me around when they're free.
Naked Pre-earnings Play: 10c exp. 02/12/21 Long Call Spread: BUY 7c, SELL 15p exp. 02/12/21 LEAP: 11c exp. 4/16/21 Thesis 1: Air and land travel will increase in 2021 as global economies recover from the pandemic. Goodyear will be a beneficiary of this recovery. Catalyst 1: According to CNN, US air travel hit its highest level since mid-March (2020) over the (thanksgiving) holiday and millions of Americans still traveled by car to join family and friends. TSA said it screened 1.17 million people on Sunday when many Americans were heading home from their Thanksgiving travels. That was 41% of the 2.9 million people screened by TSA on the same day in 2019. Thanksgiving 2019 set a TSA record. That means more than 9.4 million people have been screened in the Thanksgiving travel window, which began on the Friday before the holiday. According to NBC news, TSA data showed that 1,191,123 travelers passed through airport checkpoints nationwide Wednesday, the most since March 16. From Friday to Sunday, a combined 3.2 million people boarded planes, according to agency data — more than 1 million a day. Thesis 2: Goodyear will benefit in 2021 because of Biden’s energy initiative.. Catalyst 2: Biden has stated that he wants to position the U.S. Auto Industry to Win the 21st Century with technology invented in America. Biden will use all the levers of the federal government, from purchasing power, R&D, tax, trade, and investment policies to reverse this trend and position America to be the global leader in the manufacture of electric vehicles and their input materials and parts. Biden will spur an expansion of factory floors and a re-tool of existing manufacturing capacity, and create 1 million new jobs in auto manufacturing, auto supply chains, and auto infrastructure America must accelerate its own R&D with a focus on developing the domestic supply chain for electric vehicles. A specific focus of Biden’s historic R&D and procurement commitments will be on battery technology – for use in electric vehicles and on our grid, as a complement to technologies like solar and wind – increasing durability, reducing waste, and lowering costs, all while advancing new chemistries and approaches. And Biden will ensure that these batteries are built in the United States by American workers in good, union jobs.
About Goodyear
Goodyear is one of the world's leading tire companies with operations in most regions of the world and one of the most recognized brand names. Together with its U.S. and international subsidiaries, Goodyear develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes tires for most applications. Goodyear is one of the world's largest suppliers of aviation tires for commercial, military and general aviation aircraft. Operating a global business from its Akron, Ohio headquarters, Goodyear manufactures aviation tires and retreads in the United States, Thailand, Brazil, and The Netherlands. Goodyear Segmentation: Automobile industries Goodyear Target Market: Racing cars, heavy duty vehicles, passenger cars, bikes, industrial equipment-like forklifts, bulldozers, cranes, airplanes, etc. Goodyear Positioning: Excellent product quality maintained over decades with continual improvement. SWOT Analysis
With the turnover of over $22 billion they are one of the world’s leading tire makers with no.1 position in North America & Latin America and second position in Europe.
It has a Global Footprint with operations at 54 sites spread over 22 countries.
Innovation centers at Ohio and Luxembourg provide them with a competitive edge in technology.
Excellent management team with over 70,000 employees globally
Company has established a strong brand identity and customer loyalty.
Most successful tire supplier in Formula 1.
Potential Weaknesses
Penetration level in Asian emerging economies is less
Intense competition in the tire industry makes market share constant
Studies reveal it company produces high amount of air pollution
Potential Opportunities
Emerging markets need to be capitalized on (EV in particular)
Tie-ups with Automobile manufacturing giants may go a long way.
Innovative and catchy advertising campaigns
Potential Threats (not including the ongoing Covid pandemic)
Volatility in raw material prices.
Low priced substitutes
Stiff competition both from national and international companies.
Government Policies - export duties, import duties, tax levied on automobile industries and economic condition of the nations as it determines the sale of automobiles.
Introduction of other transport facilities like metro, monorails and local trains keeping pollution hazards caused by combustion of automobile fuels.
Smithers published the Future of Global Tires to 2024 report, which sized the tire market at over 2.36 billion units in 2019, with topline volume growth expected to continue at a 3.1% compound annual rate from 2019 through 2024. In 2024, total global industry tire volume was expected to reach 2.75 billion units. The 2019 market value of $239 billion was expected rise to $280 billion in 2024, for a 3.2% compound annual growth rate. Considering the impact of COVID-19 on the global tires market, Smithers sees little recovery in 2020-2021, with real recovery starting in 2022 and 2019 tire volume not being reached again until 2023. As part of its Global Tires report refresh that accounts for the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, Smithers estimates volume growth over the next couple of years will fall significantly with market conditions prolonging the status quo in technology. The market adjustment will slow the adoption of electric vehicles and delay ride sharing, as well as drive supply chain consolidation and other disruptions. Although COVID-19 will significantly impact 2020 tire sales, the tire market in Asia is forecast to pick up and grow on average by 3.6% until 2025. General tires will continue to make up the majority (84.2% share) of the total Asia tires market by 2025, but significant stronger growth is forecasted in aircraft, specialty and OTR tires. https://preview.redd.it/4ju8hmhbnt861.png?width=1242&format=png&auto=webp&s=8450bd3dbc24f6d8fc029729263d29462f22b0a0 The high-performance passenger calight goods vehicle segment is the largest in volume and value for specialty tires and is growing rapidly, driven by the growth of CUV, SUV and pickup truck segments in Asia. Current tire technology in China is focused on low rolling resistance (LRR) tires, driven by pressure from the government to reduce CO2 emissions and the establishment of the China Rubber Industry Association (CRIA) tire labeling system. List of the Top Key Players of Low Rolling Resistance Tire Market:
Apollo Tyres Ltd
Bridgestone Corp
Continental AG
Cooper Tire and Rubber Co
Hankook Tire and Technology Co Ltd
Michelin Group
Pirelli and C Spa
The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
The Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd
and ZHONGCE RUBBER GROUP Co Ltd
China is, and will continue to be, the biggest EV market, and its progress in the segment will influence the rest of the world. This is due to government policies designed to reduce pollution in cities and dependence on imported oil. The government also desires to dominate this growth industry. In Asia, the electric bus market is expected to be dominated by China and India in size and to be predominantly BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles). Japan and South Korea will also invest significantly in electric buses, as will the Southeast Asia region led by Singapore. List of major players operating in the South East Asian tire market include PT Gajah Tunggal TBK, PT Suryaraya Rubberindo Industries, Bridgestone Corporation, Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Continental AG, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Deestone Corporation Limited, Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., etc. https://preview.redd.it/74mrc4jint861.png?width=1262&format=png&auto=webp&s=0523aad0d4ce01b1959802c901dd1d0a978ef086
Asia accounts for 93% of the world natural rubber production with Thailand being the largest producer followed by Indonesia and Vietnam. Other large rubber producers in the region include India, China and Malaysia. In 2019, the global natural rubber production stood at 13.804 million tonnes. It is expected that in 2020, the production will increase 2.7% to 14.177 million tonnes. The first two months of 2020 have recorded an annualized fall of 5.2% in global natural rubber production. The global synthetic rubber market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% in the period 2015-2023 and be worth USD 45,767.1 million. Economic downturn being experienced by China which is globally the largest importer of rubber is keeping rubber prices balanced in a scenario where supply outstrips demand. The oversupply situation persists even though the three largest producers of rubber, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand are reducing the output of the material used in manufacturing of a range of products from gloves to car tires. China is also the world's largest consumer of natural rubber followed by India and the United States. The slowdown in the Chinese economy remains a concern for the global rubber industry. The Coronavirus global outbreak is expected to have long-reaching hampering effects on the Chinese as well as the global economy. Goodyear does not own any rubber tree plantations, but they have taken actions as a purchaser of natural rubber with Goodyear Orient Company. Goodyear Orient Company (Private) Limited (GOCPL) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company (GTRC) and has been around since 1917.
Goodyear and Some EV News
Goodyear And TuSimple Collaborate On Autonomous Vehicle Freight Operations - prnewswire - 11/20/20 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) announced today a strategic relationship with TuSimple, a global autonomous trucking technology company, to provide tires and tire management solutions to TuSimple's Autonomous Freight Network (AFN). Goodyear will provide products and repair services to enhance the safety and operation of autonomous trucks. Additionally, Goodyear and TuSimple will conduct wear studies designed to understand how autonomous trucks and tires can help better predict maintenance, understand tire longevity and reduce the carbon impact of fleets. Collected data from the study will also deliver insights into the difference between an autonomous and human driver with respect to the tires. "With our leadership in products, fleet support and advanced innovations, Goodyear is applying knowledge to help deliver performance and safety with autonomous vehicles," according to Erin Spring, Goodyear's director, new ventures. GOODYEAR, ENVOY TECHNOLOGIES PILOT DIGITAL SERVICE SOLUTION FOR SHARED, ON-DEMAND EV FLEETS - news.goodyear.eu/ - 3/21/20 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today announced a new pilot program with Envoy Technologies, a provider of shared on-demand, community-based electric vehicles (EVs). The pilot, which launched early this year, is testing services aimed at minimizing operational downtime for vehicle fleets Goodyear’s unique predictive tire servicing solution for connected fleets is being used to forecast and automatically schedule needed tire maintenance and replacement. Envoy’s fleet managers can see its fleet’s status, schedule maintenance needs and update appointments with Goodyear’s on-demand scheduling program, helping to keep its vehicles operational and avoid the typically unforeseen issues that might suddenly force a shared vehicle to be pulled from service. To do this, Goodyear gathers secure, anonymized data from Envoy’s connected vehicles and uses it to predict and schedule service needs. Goodyear then utilizes its network of outlets and mobile vans to provide service to the vehicles. The mobile vans can install tires on-site at their charging stations, maintaining vehicle safety with minimal time required by Envoy staff. “With on-demand car sharing and ride hailing services on the rise, Goodyear is extending its fleet services business model to shared mobility providers to improve urban fleet operations,” said Chris Helsel, Goodyear’s chief technology officer. Envoy provides shared, community-based electric vehicles where people live, work and stay, with a significant percentage of its fleet dedicated to deployment in disadvantaged communities. The two-year-old company recently passed a milestone of more than 100 vehicles deployed at partner sites with a pipeline of 1,800 vehicles to be launched in major metropolitan areas across the nation, including Portland, Seattle, Austin, Chicago, New York, Boston, Miami and Washington, D.C. Goodyear’s effort with Envoy builds on a successful test program with Tesloop, a city-to-city mobility service that exclusively used Tesla electric vehicles, and the commercialization of Goodyear Proactive Solutions for truck fleets, using advanced telematics and predictive analytics technology to allow fleet operators to optimize fuel efficiency and precisely identify and resolve tire-related issues before they happen. Goodyear Partners with Lexus to Shape the Future of Electric Mobility - news.goodyear.eu/ - 3/5/20 Lexus LF-30 Electrified concept was originally presented sitting on four bespoke Goodyear concept tires at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. It was presented again on Tuesday, March 3rd at Lexus’ live press conference during the Virtual Press Day of the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show. Goodyear’s concept tires are tailor-made to benefit the modern, sleek and sporty design of the Lexus. They support EV motors and are designed to improve the overall comfort and performance of the car. The LF-30 Electrified concept tire includes several innovative features: EV motor cooling: Drawing on Goodyear’s expertise in aerodynamics, the concept tires are designed to improve the cooling of the EV motors. Cool air enters through the front bumper intake and fins on the tires drive the flow towards the electric motor positioned behind each wheel. The hot air produced by the EV motor is then expelled towards the outer edge of the rim of the LF-30 Electrified. Reduced aerodynamic drag: The tire design along with the outer tire shape would improve the Lexus’ aerodynamics by reducing drag, resulting in higher efficiency and battery range. Noise reduction through biomimicry: Goodyear found inspiration in nature when designing the concept tires. The leading edges of the cooling fins are covered with fine velvet like on the wings of an owl, which enables the predator to silently catch their prey at night. Through this biomimetic solution, the rolling noise of the tire would be reduced to a minimum. Goodyear’s concept tire for the Lexus LF-30 Electrified concept comes in a 285/35R24 size. https://preview.redd.it/9w7u1uomnt861.png?width=1242&format=png&auto=webp&s=fe7b3d3eb70859a0bf40b773113c46ce47246b9d Goodyear touts mileage gains in 2nd-gen EfficientGrip EV tires - tirebsiness.com - 3/3/20 Goodyear is preparing to launch later this year the second generation of its EfficientGrip Performance electric-vehicle tire line, promising the new version will deliver 50% longer life than the first generation, which launched in 2018. Goodyear held a video press conference from its European headquarters office in Brussels to launch the EfficientGrip Performance 2 and unveil its latest concept design, the Goodyear reCharge, which features a self-regenerating tread. Goodyer claims the EfficientGrip Performance 2 offers 20% more tread life than the "next best tested" competitor, while continuing to outperform the competition wet and dry braking, according to Mike Rytokoski, chief marketing officer, consumer Europe. Mr. Rytokoski said half of all the new tires Goodyear has designed now are for electric vehicles, which require bespoke EV tires because they are heavier, due to weight of the batteries, and deliver extra torque. As for future generations of EV tires, Goodyear said industry figures show 57% of all passenger vehicle sales, and over 30% of the global passenger vehicle fleet, will be electric by 2040. Goodyear's vision of a next-generation tire for EVs is the reCharge, a non-pneumatic design that features a self-regenerating tread based on the use of biodegradable liquid. To regenerate the tread, the vehicle owner inserts a capsule containing the liquid into the hub, where it mates up with the tubes. The centrifugal force of the rolling tire/wheel distributes the liquid up to the base of the tread elements, Goodyear showed in a video. https://preview.redd.it/ukr1e2cqnt861.png?width=1242&format=png&auto=webp&s=0149eed0cebf4c5afdeee1e17113ec36a37b2d42 The tread compound also would be reinforced with fibers inspired by spider silk, Goodyear said. https://preview.redd.it/u693uebtnt861.png?width=1242&format=png&auto=webp&s=8f630d2fef1801f2fd136d8250ed4b7136ee2bae The tire maker did not elaborate on what materials it envisions for the reCharge's wheel or how the tread elements would renew if supplied with a liquid from underneath but did say it envisions the liquid could be engineered to allow the vehicle owner to customize the tire tread to climatic or environmental changes.
Goodyear and Biden Connection - thehill.com - 08/19/20
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden defended Goodyear tires after President Trump urged Americans to boycott its products after he claimed the company announced a “ban” on his campaign’s “Make America Great Again” attire. “Goodyear employs thousands of American workers, including in Ohio where it is headquartered. To President Trump, those workers and their jobs aren't a source of pride, just collateral damage in yet another one of his political attacks,” Biden said in a statement. “President Trump doesn’t have a clue about the dignity and worth that comes with good-paying union jobs at places like Goodyear — jobs that can support a family and sustain a community.”
Electric Vehicle Outlook (bnef.com) (added 2/2/21)
Bullish Statements Net sales in the third quarter of 2020 were $3,465 million, compared to $3,802 million in the third quarter of 2019. Net sales decreased in the third quarter of 2020 primarily due to lower global tire volume, unfavorable foreign currency translation, primarily in Americas, and lower sales in other tire-related businesses, primarily due to lower aviation sales globally and a decrease in third-party sales of chemical products in Americas. These decreases were partially offset by improvements in price and product mix, primarily in EMEA and Americas. Europe, Middle East and Africa: In the third quarter of 2020, Goodyear net loss was $2 million, or $0.01 per share, compared to net income of $88 million, or $0.38 per share, in the third quarter of 2019. The change in Goodyear net income (loss) was driven by lower segment operating income, partially offset by lower income tax expense. Net sales in the third quarter of 2020 were $1,156 million, decreasing $49 million, or 4.1%, from $1,205 million in the third quarter of 2019. Net sales decreased primarily due to lower tire volume of $97 million. This decrease was partially offset by improvements in price and product mix of $40 million, driven by higher proportionate sales of commercial tires, and favorable foreign currency translation of $5 million, driven by the strengthening of the euro. Bearish Statements Worldwide tire unit sales in the third quarter of 2020 were 36.6 million units, decreasing 3.7 million units, or 9.1%, from 40.3 million units in the third quarter of 2019. Net sales decreased in the first nine months of 2020 primarily due to lower global tire volume, lower sales in other tire-related businesses, primarily due to a decrease in third-party sales of chemical products in Americas and lower aviation sales globally, and unfavorable foreign currency translation. Net sales decreased in the third quarter of 2020, primarily due to lower global tire volume of $295 million, unfavorable foreign currency translation of $56 million, primarily in Americas, and lower sales in other tire-related businesses of $48 million, primarily due to lower aviation sales globally and a decrease in third-party sales of chemical products in Americas. Europe, Middle East and Africa: Net sales in the third quarter of 2020 were $1,156 million, decreasing $49 million, or 4.1%, from $1,205 million in the third quarter of 2019. Net sales decreased primarily due to lower tire volume of $97 million. This decrease was partially offset by improvements in price and product mix of $40 million, driven by higher proportionate sales of commercial tires, and favorable foreign currency translation of $5 million, driven by the strengthening of the euro. Europe, Middle East and Africa unit sales in the third quarter of 2020 decreased 1.3 million units, or 8.9%, to 13.2 million units. Replacement tire volume decreased 1.0 million units, or 8.2%, primarily in our consumer business, reflecting decreased industry demand as a result of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and expected declines resulting from our initiative to align distribution in Europe. OE tire volume decreased 0.3 million units, or 11.3%, primarily in our consumer business, driven by lower vehicle production as a result of ongoing pandemic-related impacts at major OE manufacturers and our continued exit of declining, less profitable market segments. Europe, Middle East and Africa unit sales in the first nine months of 2020 decreased 10.0 million units, or 23.8%, to 32.1 million units. Replacement tire volume decreased 6.4 million units, or 20.5%, primarily in our consumer business, reflecting decreased industry demand as a result of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and expected declines resulting from our initiative to align distribution in Europe. America: Net sales in the third quarter of 2020 were $1,823 million, decreasing $226 million, or 11.0%, from $2,049 million in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in net sales was driven by lower tire volume of $155 million, unfavorable foreign currency translation of $58 million, primarily related to the Brazilian real, and lower sales in other tire-related businesses of $42 million, primarily due to a decrease in third-party sales of chemical products and lower aviation sales. Asia Specific: Net sales in the first nine months of 2020 were $1,208 million, decreasing $361 million, or 23.0%, from $1,569 million in the first nine months of 2019. Net sales decreased due to lower tire volume of $320 million, unfavorable foreign currency translation of $27 million, primarily related to the weakening of the Indian rupee and Australian dollar, and lower sales in other tire-related businesses of $26 million, primarily due to lower aviation and retail sales. Asia Specific: Replacement tire volume decreased 2.1 million units, or 15.3%, primarily in our consumer business, reflecting decreased industry demand as a result of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Net sales in the third quarter of 2020 were $486 million, decreasing $62 million, or 11.3%, from $548 million in the third quarter of 2019. Net sales decreased due to lower tire volume of $43 million, unfavorable price and product mix of $9 million, and lower sales in other tire-related businesses of $8 million, primarily due to lower aviation sales. We expect our liquidity to remain strong through the remainder of the year. However, the borrowing base under our first lien revolving credit facility is dependent, in significant part, on our eligible accounts receivable and inventory, which have declined as a result of our lower sales and production levels due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earnings
Bullish Statements The change in Goodyear net income (loss) was driven by lower segment operating income, partially offset by lower income tax expense. Our earnings and forecasts of future profitability, taking into consideration recent trends, along with three significant sources of foreign income provide us sufficient positive evidence that we will be able to utilize our remaining foreign tax credits that expire between 2025 and 2030. Bearish Statements Earnings in other tire-related businesses decreased by $25 million, primarily due to lower aviation and motorcycle sales. Additionally, on April 17, 2020, we reached a tentative bargaining agreement, which was ratified on May 1, 2020, and subsequently permanently closed our Gadsden, Alabama manufacturing facility (“Gadsden”) as part of our continuing strategy to strengthen the competitiveness of our manufacturing footprint by curtailing production of tires for declining, less profitable segments of the tire market.
Expenses
Bullish Statements These negative impacts were partially offset by cost savings of approximately $76 million, including raw material cost saving measures of approximately $6 million. These decreases were partially offset by a $24 million increase in expense related to potentially uncollectible accounts receivable, primarily in EMEA and Americas. Interest expense in the first nine months of 2020 was $246 million, decreasing $15 million, or 5.7%, from $261 million in the first nine months of 2019. SAG decreased primarily due to lower global travel-related expenses of $8 million and lower product liability costs of $5 million in Americas. We have taken, and will continue to take, other actions to reduce costs and preserve cash in order to successfully navigate the current economic environment, including limiting capital expenditures to no more than $700 million for the full year and reducing discretionary spending, including other selling, administrative and general expenses (“SAG”), which, in total, decreased by $17 million and $118 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. These decreases were partially offset by improvements in price and product mix, primarily in EMEA and Americas. In the third quarter of 2020, Goodyear net loss was $2 million, or $0.01 per share, compared to net income of $88 million, or $0.38 per share, in the third quarter of 2019. The change in Goodyear net income (loss) was driven by lower segment operating income, partially offset by lower income tax expense. Europe, Middle East and Africa: These decreases were partially offset by lower raw material costs of $11 million and improvements in price and product mix of $10 million.
Cashflow
Bearish Statements We are actively monitoring our liquidity and have taken a number of actions aimed at mitigating the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on our cash flows and liquidity, such as suspending production at most of our manufacturing facilities during parts of the first half of 2020, reducing our second quarter payroll costs through a combination of furloughs, temporary salary reductions and salary deferrals, refinancing our first lien revolving credit facility to extend its maturity and increase its borrowing base, issuing $800 million of 9.5% senior notes due 2025, temporarily suspending the quarterly dividend on our common stock, reducing capital expenditures and discretionary spending, and using governmental relief efforts to defer payroll and other tax payments globally.
Debt
Bearish Statements In addition to our previous financing activities, we may seek to undertake additional financing actions which could include restructuring bank debt or capital markets transactions, possibly including the issuance of additional debt or equity. Given the inherent uncertainty of market conditions, access to the capital markets cannot be assured.
Australia: Singapore and Australia residents are allowed entry into both countries on both short and long-term visits. For short-term trips, Australia residents may apply for the ATP. Brunei Darussalam: Residents of Brunei Darussalam and Singapore may apply for travel permits on both essential and non-essential travels. SINGAPORE - All short-term visitors will no longer be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore from 11.59pm on Monday (March 23) in view of the heightened risks of importing coronavirus cases... Singapore: Anyone who has ... Cambodia: Travellers from all countries can now enter Cambodia, but must have a certificate no older than 72 hours to prove they are COVID-19 free, have proof of ... Foreigners visiting Singapore can participate in Frequent Traveller Programme now . By Bhaswati Guha Majumder. Updated June 16, 2019 12:33 +08; Pipes carrying water from Malaysia to Singapore run ... Updates on Singapore’s border control measures in response to COVID-19 can be found on the ICA website. Information on the SG Arrival Card with Electronic Health Declaration can be found here. Singapore has implemented special travel arrangements with some countries/regions, such as China and Malaysia, to facilitate travel. You can view the latest travel regulations for your destination below. You should also check with relevant local authorities for additional guidance before you plan your trip. Travellers departing from Singapore, and flying to a destination which requires them to produce a negative Covid-19 PCR test result prior to entry, may apply for the pre-departure test here. For travellers departing from ... If you’re a long-term resident and wish to return to Singapore you must still get approval from Singapore authorities before commencing your travel. You can't enter or transit Singapore if you have been in the UK or South Africa in the past 14 days, even if you had prior approval, unless you’re a citizen or permanent resident. Check on travel restrictions before you fly overseas during this COVID-19 period ... How Singapore is ensuring access to COVID-19 vaccines Moving into Phase 3 of Re-Opening on 28 Dec 2020 Securing Singapore's access to COVID-19 vaccines Experts Explain: COVID-19 and safe management measures Financial support to help Singaporeans affected by COVID-19 COVID-19: Keeping our guard up to avoid a ... And if you want to find out where U.S. travelers can go right now, ... Georgia had hoped to attract freelancers and self-employed foreigners. Those hoping to apply can expect to provide personal information, a certificate of employment, proof of travel insurance (valid for six months) and acknowledgment of a 14-day quarantine at their own expense. Travelers must submit the application and ... Domestic travellers, including Malaysian nationals and foreigners in Malaysia, are not allowed to travel between West Malaysia and the states of Sabah or Sarawak (East Malaysia). Residents of Sabah or Sarawak who were already in West Malaysia, or vice versa, before the MCO are allowed to return to their respective states. They are required to present their flight tickets and identification ...
COVID-19: Nearly 20,000 foreign workers in quarantine in ...
Nearly 20,000 foreign workers are under quarantine in two dorms in Singapore - S11 Dormitory @ Punggol and Westlite Toh Guan - after large clusters of COVID-... Things you need to know before you go to Singapore. Singapore weather: Hot, humid, and rainy! Singapore Language: English (or Singlish!) Singapore Money: It... #singaporetravelguide #singaporetravelguide #singaporeRead article here: https://janicefung.com/11-things-to-know-before-going-to-singapore/ Sign up to my N... “Let us...take sensible precautions, help one another, stay calm and carry on with our lives” Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While the world shu... 🎥 WATCH: Top 15 Istanbul https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_O-fn64Y5k👕 DAVID’S BEEN HERE SHIRTS & MERCH: https://teespring.com/stores/davids-been-hereWelcom... Known as the “Lion City,” join me as I explore the what to do, where to go, and what to eat in the incredible city of Singapore.Follow Me:Intstagram: https:/... Want to see what it's like to fly during the pandemic? It was not what we expected...We flew 27 hours from Singapore to our home of Nashville, Tennessee.Trav... Minister Lawrence Wong said in a press conference on Jul. 17 that Singapore's travel advisory position is unlikely to change in the near term. It's okay, can... Here's are cruise holiday vlog!!!! We were cruising on the Quantum Of Seas for 7 days & we had a blast!!!For further information on the ship or bookings, pl...
