![Swiss Tourist Sentenced to Prison for Disrespecting Bali’s Day of Silence on Social Media[]A Swiss tourist has been sentenced to imprisonment for violations during Bali’s sacred Nyepi holiday.Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, 26, a construction worker from Switzerland, was found guilty of breaking Indonesian law by posting a provocative video to his Instagram story about the Day of Silence, known locally as Nyepi, on March 19.During this 24-hour period, locals and tourists alike are required to remain in their homes or hotels, keep lights dim and minimize noise, and are urged to perform quiet meditation.According to court documents, Mr. Zgraggen arrived in Bali on Feb. 10 for vacation. Before the Day of Silence in March, hotel staff had explained the relevant restrictions.Prosecutors said Mr. Zgraggen became frustrated that he could not freely leave the hotel to find food and “displayed his anger” on social media, according to an online copy of his indictment. One video showed Mr. Zgraggen walking in the dark with a caption that said it was “pretty peaceful outside,” followed by an expletive about the rules around the religious holiday.After receiving thousands of negative comments, Mr. Zgraggen took down the posts. But the videos were screen-recorded and widely reposted to other popular accounts, drawing criticism from Balinese residents who found his actions disrespectful. After the posts went viral, Mr. Zgraggen re-uploaded the video with the caption “they want smoke,” slang for a fight or argument, according to the indictment. That post, too, received widespread criticism.Then, prosecutors said, Mr. Zgraggen reached out to a senator in the Indonesian Regional Representative Council to apologize.When he arrived at the senator’s residence, he was arrested by the Bali police’s cybercrime unit and charged with disseminating hate speech based on religion through electronic information, the police said in a news release. Mr. Zgraggen’s trial began in June, and on Aug. 20 he was sentenced to a year in detention.The office for the chief district court judge in Denpasar, Bali’s capital, and the public affairs division of the Indonesian National Police did not respond to requests for comment.While tourists can face consequences for venturing outside during Nyepi, violations are often resolved without prosecution.Also on March 19, another tourist was detained by officers while walking with luggage along a road in Bali, the police said in a news release. The traveler said he had been forced to walk from his villa after his stay ended, as no vehicles were operating. Police and local security officers known as pecalang, who enforce local customs, helped the man find temporary accommodation.](https://i0.wp.com/static01.nyt.com/images/2026/08/21/multimedia/21trav-bali-silence-02-tlkb/21trav-bali-silence-02-tlkb-facebookJumbo.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Swiss Tourist Sentenced to Prison for Disrespecting Bali’s Day of Silence on Social Media[]A Swiss tourist has been sentenced to imprisonment for violations during Bali’s sacred Nyepi holiday.Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, 26, a construction worker from Switzerland, was found guilty of breaking Indonesian law by posting a provocative video to his Instagram story about the Day of Silence, known locally as Nyepi, on March 19.During this 24-hour period, locals and tourists alike are required to remain in their homes or hotels, keep lights dim and minimize noise, and are urged to perform quiet meditation.According to court documents, Mr. Zgraggen arrived in Bali on Feb. 10 for vacation. Before the Day of Silence in March, hotel staff had explained the relevant restrictions.Prosecutors said Mr. Zgraggen became frustrated that he could not freely leave the hotel to find food and “displayed his anger” on social media, according to an online copy of his indictment. One video showed Mr. Zgraggen walking in the dark with a caption that said it was “pretty peaceful outside,” followed by an expletive about the rules around the religious holiday.After receiving thousands of negative comments, Mr. Zgraggen took down the posts. But the videos were screen-recorded and widely reposted to other popular accounts, drawing criticism from Balinese residents who found his actions disrespectful. After the posts went viral, Mr. Zgraggen re-uploaded the video with the caption “they want smoke,” slang for a fight or argument, according to the indictment. That post, too, received widespread criticism.Then, prosecutors said, Mr. Zgraggen reached out to a senator in the Indonesian Regional Representative Council to apologize.When he arrived at the senator’s residence, he was arrested by the Bali police’s cybercrime unit and charged with disseminating hate speech based on religion through electronic information, the police said in a news release. Mr. Zgraggen’s trial began in June, and on Aug. 20 he was sentenced to a year in detention.The office for the chief district court judge in Denpasar, Bali’s capital, and the public affairs division of the Indonesian National Police did not respond to requests for comment.While tourists can face consequences for venturing outside during Nyepi, violations are often resolved without prosecution.Also on March 19, another tourist was detained by officers while walking with luggage along a road in Bali, the police said in a news release. The traveler said he had been forced to walk from his villa after his stay ended, as no vehicles were operating. Police and local security officers known as pecalang, who enforce local customs, helped the man find temporary accommodation.")
Canadian and American negotiators resumed intensive talks in Washington on Friday as a midnight deadline for a trade agreement approached.
Although President Trump had previously called the discussions successful, details remained sparse, with focus centered on the wide-ranging trade disputes between the two nations.
The negotiations were triggered by Trump’s July threat to impose new tariffs on approximately $20 billion of Canadian goods, layered on existing duties targeting steel, lumber, and automotive sectors.
This round of talks unfolded after the Trump administration declined to renew the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free-trade agreement long-term, shifting it to annual reviews and introducing volatility into North American trade.
Trump moved the tariff deadline from earlier in the week to midnight Friday, setting a 12:01 a.m. Saturday effective date, citing progress in negotiations.
Canada has signaled concessions to ease tensions, including potentially restoring U.S. liquor sales, which several provinces halted last year in retaliation for American tariffs.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew acknowledged the request but advised Canadians against promoting American products, stating, “If you see American booze on the shelves, leave it there.”
Kinew added, “We don’t have to cheerlead or play to Donald Trump’s ego; a good deal speaks for itself.”
Further Canadian concessions could include removing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. cars and easing restrictions on American online streaming and news distribution.
Negotiators stress the discussions extend far beyond finalizing details, with both sides maintaining confidential dialogue to address core issues.
The primary obstacles remain steel, aluminum, and lumber, where the U.S. proposed reducing tariffs from 50 percent to 25 percent, though this still exceeds Canada’s target rate.
Additionally, only a limited volume of Canadian steel would qualify for the reduced rate, and U.S. steel mills have opposed the change, arguing it would undercut domestic production.
For automotive trade, a Trump-era tariff could be lowered from 25 percent to 15 percent, with adjustments based on the value of American-made components.
Despite a more constructive recent atmosphere, U.S.-Canada relations remain deeply strained under Trump’s second term, marked by frequent criticism and rhetoric about annexation.
Trump has repeatedly floated making Canada the 51st state and questioned its ability to stand independently without U.S. favor.
Carney, who took office last spring as a pragmatic financier, has prioritized expanding trade ties with Asia and Europe to reduce North American dependency.
Domestically, he faces the challenge of convincing provincial leaders and the public that the emerging agreement serves national interests, despite ongoing, albeit reduced, tariffs on key industries.
Vice President JD Vance mocked Carney’s approach in leaked remarks at a Republican donor fundraiser, quipping, “He comes in and puffs his chest out, saying he’ll out-tough Donald Trump.”
Vance added, “It’s hilarious because Carney presents this as a Canadian victory, when fundamentally, they’re backing down on many issues.”
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- Swiss Tourist Sentenced to Prison for Disrespecting Bali’s Day of Silence on Social Media[]A Swiss tourist has been sentenced to imprisonment for violations during Bali’s sacred Nyepi holiday.Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, 26, a construction worker from Switzerland, was found guilty of breaking Indonesian law by posting a provocative video to his Instagram story about the Day of Silence, known locally as Nyepi, on March 19.During this 24-hour period, locals and tourists alike are required to remain in their homes or hotels, keep lights dim and minimize noise, and are urged to perform quiet meditation.According to court documents, Mr. Zgraggen arrived in Bali on Feb. 10 for vacation. Before the Day of Silence in March, hotel staff had explained the relevant restrictions.Prosecutors said Mr. Zgraggen became frustrated that he could not freely leave the hotel to find food and “displayed his anger” on social media, according to an online copy of his indictment. One video showed Mr. Zgraggen walking in the dark with a caption that said it was “pretty peaceful outside,” followed by an expletive about the rules around the religious holiday.After receiving thousands of negative comments, Mr. Zgraggen took down the posts. But the videos were screen-recorded and widely reposted to other popular accounts, drawing criticism from Balinese residents who found his actions disrespectful. After the posts went viral, Mr. Zgraggen re-uploaded the video with the caption “they want smoke,” slang for a fight or argument, according to the indictment. That post, too, received widespread criticism.Then, prosecutors said, Mr. Zgraggen reached out to a senator in the Indonesian Regional Representative Council to apologize.When he arrived at the senator’s residence, he was arrested by the Bali police’s cybercrime unit and charged with disseminating hate speech based on religion through electronic information, the police said in a news release. Mr. Zgraggen’s trial began in June, and on Aug. 20 he was sentenced to a year in detention.The office for the chief district court judge in Denpasar, Bali’s capital, and the public affairs division of the Indonesian National Police did not respond to requests for comment.While tourists can face consequences for venturing outside during Nyepi, violations are often resolved without prosecution.Also on March 19, another tourist was detained by officers while walking with luggage along a road in Bali, the police said in a news release. The traveler said he had been forced to walk from his villa after his stay ended, as no vehicles were operating. Police and local security officers known as pecalang, who enforce local customs, helped the man find temporary accommodation.
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