News Brake - The Explainer

Killer Amoeba claims 19 lives, What's Kerala doing about it? | Ep 173

Kerala has reported 71 cases and 19 deaths due to Amoebic Meningoencephalitis in 2025. Ever since its first clinical diagnosis in 1965 in Australia, the disease has caused huge concern across countries. In this episode of News Brake, Onmanorama talks to leading epidemiologist Dr Anish TS on causes behind the spike and way ahead for Kerala.   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

From Nepal to Tunisia: Youth uprisings that shook regimes | Ep 172

From Kathmandu to Cairo, Hong Kong to Santiago — when young people take to the streets, regimes tremble. In this episode of News Brake, Onmanorama traces some of the most powerful youth uprisings of the 21st century, from Nepal’s Gen Z revolt in 2025 to the Arab Spring, the Aragalaya in Sri Lanka, and beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Why Malayalis are leaving the seas & migrants stepping in | Ep 171

Kerala’s coasts have a rich fishing heritage, but today the sector runs largely on migrant labour. Nearly 58% of the workforce now comes from states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Odisha, while younger Malayalis are turning away from the seas. In this episode, Dr Shyam S Salim, Principal Scientist at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), explains why locals are quitting fishing, what draws migrants in, and how this shift is reshaping Kerala’s economy and culture. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

A death and a sex scandal: Will one-year rule prevent bypoll in Kerala? | Ep 170

The death of Peerumade MLA Vazhoor Jose and the sex scandal involving Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil have sparked talk of bypolls in Kerala. The law says none are needed if less than a year remains in the Assembly’s term, but past rulings show it isn’t that simple. Host Aswin J Kumar explores if Kerala will face another bypoll before 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

GST 2.0: Who pays the price, and what it means for Kerala | Ep 169

Eight years after GST, India is preparing its biggest tax reform yet — fewer slabs, cheaper goods for households, but a steep levy on luxury and sin items. What does this mean for Kerala, a state that depends heavily on GST revenues and has long complained of losing out on IGST settlements? Banking and finance expert S Adikesavan joins News Brake to discuss GST 2.0.  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.