Today's Top 3 News: Jonatan Christie Withdraws from Indonesia Masters 2026

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January 21, 2026 | 06:05 pm

Indonesian shuttler Jonatan Christie competes in the quarterfinals of the 2026 India Open at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi on January 16, 2026. Doc.: PBSI.

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tempo English compiled the top 3 news on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Here are the highlights: Jonatan Christie Withdraws from Indonesia Masters 2026; List of Intimidation Acts Targeting Indonesian Activists, Influencers in 2025; and Fact Check: Did NASA Stop Ocean Exploration in 1978?

The following is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.

1. Jonatan Christie Withdraws from Indonesia Masters 2026

Indonesia’s men’s singles badminton player Jonatan Christie has withdrawn from the 2026 Indonesia Masters, which will be held at Istora Senayan in Jakarta from January 19 to 25, citing the need to preserve his physical condition.

The decision follows Jonatan’s participation in two consecutive international tournaments. At the 2026 Malaysia Open, held from January 6 to 11, he reached the semifinals before losing in straight games to Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn.

He then advanced to the final of the 2026 India Open, which took place from January 13 to 18, but was again defeated in straight games, this time by Taiwan’s Lin Chun-yi.

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2. List of Intimidation Acts Targeting Indonesian Activists, Influencers in 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, a troubling pattern of intimidation has emerged in Indonesia, targeting activists, influencers, artists, and journalists who have publicly voiced criticism over the government’s response to a series of major national issues and crises.

The acts of intimidation range from coordinated online harassment and threats to physical terror, including the delivery of animal carcasses, vandalism, and even an attempted firebombing. Those targeted share a common thread: outspoken criticism of disaster response efforts and environmental governance.

1. Greenpeace Activist Terrorized With Chicken Carcass

One of the most alarming cases involved Iqbal Damanik, Climate and Energy Campaign Manager at Greenpeace Indonesia. On Tuesday morning, December 30, 2025, his home was targeted in what the organization believes was an act of intimidation.

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3. Fact Check: Did NASA Stop Ocean Exploration in 1978?

A number of posts on Instagram [archive], Facebook, and TikTok claim that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) stopped exploring the oceans in 1978. The narrative suggests that NASA is now solely focused on space missions after diverting all its resources from ocean exploration.

The posts allege that NASA abruptly halted exploration after only monitoring about five percent of the ocean's surface. "Why did they stop diving so deep? What did they find that scared them," the post's creator wrote.

However, is it true that NASA stopped ocean research in 1978 after discovering something frightening?

FACT CHECK

Tempo verified this narrative by examining various authoritative sources. From the beginning, the United States government established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with the primary mission of strengthening space technology. However, this agency continued to conduct ocean research as part of its efforts to compare the physical conditions of Earth with other planets.

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Today's Top 3 News: Purbaya's Confidence in Rupiah's Recovery, Facts About the ATR 42-500 Aircraft Crash

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Today's Top 3 News: Purbaya's Confidence in Rupiah's Recovery, Facts About the ATR 42-500 Aircraft Crash