Today's Top 3 News: Indonesia Negotiates to Release Two Pertamina Tankers in Strait of Hormuz

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tempo English compiled the top 3 news on Friday, March 06, 2026. Here are the highlights: Indonesia Negotiates to Release Two Pertamina Tankers in Strait of Hormuz; U.S. Northern Lights Forecast: 10 States Could See Aurora on March 5; and Chromebook Graft Case: Former Nadiem Staff Says She Earned Rp50 Million a Month.

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

1. Indonesia Negotiates to Release Two Pertamina Tankers in Strait of Hormuz

Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the government is negotiating to free two tankers belonging to PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) that are still stuck in the Strait of Hormuz.

"There are two cargo ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz owned by Pertamina. The ships are currently docked to find a safer location while we negotiate," Bahlil said when met after an iftar (breaking of fast) event at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Jakarta, Wednesday evening (March 4).

Pertamina has also ensured the safety of the ships' crews amid the ongoing war between the United States, Israel, and Iran in the Middle East.

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2. U.S. Northern Lights Forecast: 10 States Could See Aurora on March 5

Astronomical watchers may have another reason to look up this week as the northern lights could appear across parts of the United States from Thursday, March 5, through Friday, March 6.

The possibility follows a geomagnetic storm watch issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which warned that minor G1-class geomagnetic storms may develop, potentially pushing the aurora farther south than usual.

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3. Chromebook Graft Case: Former Nadiem Staff Says She Earned Rp50 Million a Month

Former Special Staff to the Indonesian ex-Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Makarim, Fiona Handayani, admitted to receiving a salary of Rp50 million per month while serving as the minister's special staff. Fiona made this admission while testifying in the follow-up trial of the alleged corruption case involving the procurement of Chromebook-based laptops at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

During the trial, the public prosecutor directly questioned Fiona's income during her tenure. Chief Public Prosecutor Roy Riady asked, "How much is your salary?" Fiona replied, "My take-home pay is Rp50 million per month." The prosecutor reconfirmed, "Rp50 million per month?" Fiona replied briefly, "Yes."

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