Nature Fights Fires, Reveals Ancient Rainfall Secrets

Southeast Asia saw a surge in streaming, with a 19% growth in 2025, fueled by increased account growth and the popularity of locally produced content, according to a report from Media Partners Asia and its measurement platform AMPD. The premium streaming market experienced significant momentum, with Indonesian content emerging as a rival to K-dramas.

The streaming boom in Southeast Asia was driven by a resurgence in account growth and the adoption of connected TVs, the report indicated. Locally produced programming played a key role in this growth, with Indonesian content gaining significant traction.

Meanwhile, the economic repercussions of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires continued to impact survivors more than a year later, according to Phys.org. Fewer than a dozen homes in some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods had been fully rebuilt, and families remained displaced in temporary rentals. Many were still dealing with increased insurance premiums.

In other news, the Korean reality dating show "Singles Inferno" continued to captivate viewers, with its fifth season being hailed as a return to form, according to Time. The show, which debuted on Netflix in December 2021, features attractive single Koreans stranded on a deserted island, where they must form romantic connections to escape to a luxurious hotel.

In the realm of health, progress was being made toward a universal flu vaccine, according to Vox. This year's flu season was shaping up to be tough, with less than half of adults receiving a flu shot.

Finally, research into ancient rainfall patterns was being conducted using tree rings and salt lakes, as reported by Nature News.