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.  

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.

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.

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.

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. 

In this News Brake episode, Onmanorama unpacks Rahul Gandhi’s explosive allegations of voter list manipulation in Karnataka’s Mahadevapura and the Election Commission’s fierce rebuttal. From duplicate entries to fake addresses, and the political heat ahead of Bihar’s elections, we break down the facts, the spin, and what’s at stake for India’s democracy.

When thieves start targeting coconut oil, you know something’s cooking in Kerala’s kitchens and markets. Prices for this “liquid gold” had soared to record highs, squeezing households, caterers, and traders alike. But just before Onam, the bubble burst. In this episode of News Brake, we crack open the story of how demand and supply side factors reshaped Kerala’s coconut economy — and what it means for the state’s most beloved ingredient. Joining the conversation are Thalath Mahmood, President of the Cochin Merchants Association, and Shahul Hameed, State Secretary of the All Kerala Caterers’ Association, who share their insights.

A year ago, a massive landslide ripped through Wayanad’s Mundakkai and Chooralmala, killing over 300 people and destroying entire communities. In this episode of News Brake, Haritha Benjamin is joined by Lead Producer George Poikayil to revisit ground zero. What happened to the ₹200 crore rehabilitation plan? Why are survivors still waiting for homes, schools, and hospitals? And is Kerala any better prepared for the next disaster?

From the coir mills of Alappuzha to the Chief Minister’s office at 82, V S Achuthanandan’s life was a saga of defiance, discipline, and relentless public service. In this special episode of News Brake, Haritha Benjamin traces the journey of Kerala’s most iconic Marxist—his firebrand politics, party feuds, people's battles, and personal code that made him a living legend.

Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, sentenced to death in Yemen, was hours away from execution. Now, her hanging has been postponed, giving her a narrow but vital lifeline. In this episode of News Brake, Haritha Benjamin breaks down Nimisha’s story and speaks to Advocate Subhash Chandran K R, her counsel.

A last-minute change in Kerala's engineering entrance ranking formula has thrown students and parents into confusion. Why did the High Court scrap the KEAM 2025 rank list? Who benefits from the new method—and who loses out? Educationalist B S Warrier joins us to break it all down.

A sudden 12-day war between Israel and Iran sent shockwaves through the Middle East — but this wasn’t just a flare-up. It was the latest chapter in a shadow war that began decades ago. In this episode of News Brake, we unpack the June 2025 conflict: the airstrikes, the cyber attacks, U.S. bombers, Trump’s shaky ceasefire, and the long, bloody history that led here — from the 1953 CIA coup to nuclear deals, proxy battles, and drone wars.

Onmanorama did two rounds of survey ahead of the bypoll in Nilambur. Results showed significant changes in the way voters think. This episode features findings of the second round of survey and analyses possible causes.

The skies over Ahmedabad darkened on June 12, 2025, when an Air India Dreamliner, bound for London, crashed shortly after take-off, killing 275 people. As the country mourns yet another devastating aviation tragedy, it brings back painful memories of previous air disasters that have scarred India’s aviation history.

Onmanorama’s exclusive survey from the Nilambur byelection ground reveals strong anti-incumbency against the Pinarayi Vijayan government, with poor marks for development and rising anger over unchecked wildlife attacks. The collapse of NH 66 has buried the LDF’s development pitch, while P V Anvar, once a high-profile figure, finds little support among voters. Meanwhile, UDF’s Aryadan Shoukath enjoys a quiet advantage, and the BJP remains a distant player. Tune in as we break down the first part of the Nilambur mood survey and what it means for June 19.

In this episode of News Brake, retired Major General Indrabalan breaks down how drones redefined the recent India–Pakistan conflict after the Pahalgam attack. From Pakistani drone tactics to India’s layered response, he explains the gaps in India’s drone warfare capabilities—and what must change for India to stay battle-ready.

Kerala is bracing for an early monsoon — but what does that mean for the rest of the season? In this episode of News Brake, Haritha Benjamin is joined by Dr Sinan Nizar, junior scientist at the Institute for Climate Change Studies, to break down everything you need to know about Monsoon 2025. From the impact of neutral El Niño conditions to the growing threat of extreme rainfall events, we unpack the forecasts, trends, and technologies shaping India’s monsoon preparedness this year.

What does Sunny Joseph’s surprise elevation as KPCC chief signal for the Congress in Kerala? In this episode of News Brake, Haritha Benjamin is joined by Ayyappan R and G Ragesh to unpack the power play behind the scenes — from last-minute rebellions and group dynamics to the caste and communal calculus driving the Congress high command’s choices.

In the early hours of May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor — a powerful cross-border offensive targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In this episode of News Brake, Haritha Benjamin speaks with defence expert Anantha Krishnan M to unpack the strategy, targets, weapons used and what this operation means for regional stability. 

On April 22, Pahalgam witnessed one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent Indian history, killing 26 civilians. In this episode of News Brake, host Haritha Benjamin speaks to Dr Suresh Rangarajan, Professor of International Relations, to unpack the strategic, diplomatic, and military dimensions of this crisis for India and Pakistan. 

In today’s special episode, we look at the recent terror strike in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir — and trace some of the deadliest attacks that have scarred the region over the past two decades.

A look back at the life and legacy of Pope Francis—the Jesuit from Argentina who reshaped the Catholic Church with compassion, courage and conviction.

In 2002, Shahubanath S broke through one of Kerala’s most male-dominated bastions to earn a place in history -- the driver’s seat of the state-run bus service. Today, she’s not just a pioneer—she’s a mentor, a cancer survivor, and a symbol of resilience.

Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and written by Murali Gopi, has ignited a political storm with bold undertones and not-so-subtle references to certain events. In this episode of Onmanorama’s News Brake, host Haritha Benjamin is joined by film and political experts Aswin J Kumar, Padmakumar K, and Swathi P Ajith to break down the outrage and compare it to past controversies in Indian cinema.

ASHA workers in Kerala have been protesting against the Left government, demanding fair wages, retirement benefits and recognition as permanent employees. But what led these frontline health workers—who have tirelessly served communities—to take such a drastic step? In this episode of News Brake, Ayyappan R joins Haritha Benjamin  to break down the ongoing protest and what it means for Kerala’s healthcare system. 

Once thought to be a Western phenomenon, Anorexia Nervosa is silently spreading in Kerala, and it recently claimed a young life too. In this episode of News Brake, we discuss the rise of this disorder, its causes, warning signs, and why early intervention is crucial.

When a group of housewives came together in 2010 to clean a garbage-ridden wayside, they had no idea that this neglected marshland would soon become their livelihood. Located along the Manarcad-Ettumanoor Bypass Road, Kottayam’s Naalumanikattu (or evening breeze) is now a model for rural roadside tourism and a bustling hangout for food lovers, tourists and families. 

The Kerala sadya is often hailed as a perfectly balanced meal, deeply rooted in the state's culinary heritage. However, experts are now questioning whether it truly meets modern dietary needs or if it requires a nutritional makeover. Dr TS Anish, professor of community medicine at Kozhikode Medical College, joins News Brake to explain why the sadya has a highly skewed distribution of nutrients and carbohydrates. Dr Mumtaz Khalid Ismail, a consultant clinical dietitian at Rainbow Polyclinic and Total Nutrition Plus, also weighs in on how the sadya can be modified for better balance.

In this episode of News Brake, Dr Mohanan Kunnumal, Vice Chancellor of the Kerala University of Health Sciences and the University of Kerala, speaks of the challenges in tackling ragging on campuses.

A recent climate statement prepared by the Institute for Climate Change Studies, in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department, stated that 2024 was the warmest year recorded in Kerala since 1901. Dr Sinan Nizar, a junior scientist at the Institute for Climate Studies, joins News Brake to discuss the state's changing climate patterns.

Kerala Budget 2025 brings major tax revisions, including a 50% hike in land tax, increased court fees and higher road tax for older vehicles. Finance Minister KN Balagopal also said that the state has overcome the trying times of severe fiscal constraints in recent years. Ayyappan R joins Haritha Benjamin to decode the Kerala Budget. 

Join us on News Brake as Haritha Benjamin and Kannan V break down the key takeaways from Union Budget 2025. In this episode, we explore how Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s eighth budget aims to revive consumer sentiment and drive economic growth through major reforms like eliminating income tax for those earning up to Rs 12 lakh.

A Kerala court’s rare decision to award the death penalty to a 24-year-old woman for poisoning her boyfriend, and a Kolkata court's decision to sentence the rapist and murderer of a young doctor to life imprisonment, have sparked a debate on capital punishment. Dr Anup Surendranath, Director of Project 39A at NLU Delhi, joins News Brake to discuss the death penalty in India and the concept of 'rarest of rare' cases .  

From the Honey Rose case to a tragic suicide over complexion in Malappuram, body shaming continues to cast a shadow in an era that celebrates body positivity. Dr Mohan Roy, Head of Psychiatry at Kollam Medical College, joins us on News Brake to discuss the psychological toll of body shaming.

Why are some goods like popcorn taxed differently? How has GST impacted businesses and consumers over the years? Chartered Accountant and GST expert Stanley James joins Haritha Benjamin on News Brake to decode India’s GST puzzle.

Arrested in 2017 and sentenced to death in 2020 for the alleged murder of her abuser, Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya’s case has garnered global attention. Advocate Subhas Chandra, the family lawyer, joins News Brake to shed light on the legal and diplomatic complexities involved. In this episode, we explore the challenges of negotiating blood money, the impact of Yemen’s lack of an Indian embassy, and the importance of international support, including Iran’s involvement in the Nimisha Priya case.

For over five years, the Hema Committee report on the Malayalam film industry remained a closely guarded secret. When it was finally released, the findings sparked intense debate and exposed troubling truths about the industry. In this special yearender series, News Brake explores the revelations beyond the headlines—unsafe working conditions, gender disparity, and systemic exploitation that plague film sets. 

2024 was a year of upheaval—marked by tragedies, political surprises, and elections that reshaped Kerala’s social and political landscape. In this special year-end series on News Brake, Onmanorama revisits the defining moments that captured the state's attention. In this episode, we delve into the storm stirred by Nilambur MLA P V Anvar, whose unexpected rebellion sent shockwaves through Kerala’s political scene. Ayyappan R joins Aswin J Kumar and Haritha Benjamin to unpack the implications of Anvar's revelations and their impact on Kerala’s political dynamics.

2024 was a year of upheaval—marked by tragedies, political surprises, and elections that reshaped Kerala’s social and political landscape. In this special year-ender series on News Brake, Onmanorama revisits the defining moments that captivated the state. In this episode, hosts Haritha Benjamin and Aswin J Kumar delve into the Wayanad landslides, examining how they exposed Kerala’s vulnerability to extreme weather and the ongoing rehabilitation efforts.

2024 was a year of upheaval — a time of tragedies, political surprises, and elections that reshaped how we live and think. In this special year-ender series on News Brake, Onmanorama reflects on the defining moments that captured Kerala’s attention. In this episode, host Haritha Benjamin is joined by Aswin J Kumar to explore two tragic deaths that shook the state. The death of young chartered accountant Anna Sebastian highlights the dangers of a relentless work culture, while the demise of ADM Naveen Babu underscores the perils of political interference.

From AR Rahman and Saira Banu’s recent split to the growing trend of grey divorces, this episode of Onmanorama’s News Brake explores the reasons behind this societal shift. Join host Haritha Benjamin and guest Swathi P Ajith as they delve into the changing dynamics of long-term relationships, the role of independence and fulfilment, and how societal attitudes are evolving.

If the bypoll campaign in Kerala was all about twists, the results day of the bypolls was not as eventful as one expected. Congress ran over the BJP in Palakkad, Priyanka Gandhi's majority crossed 4 lakh in Wayanad, and Chelakkara provided the much-needed boost for the CPM. Onmanorama reporters Ayyappan, George and Ragesh join Aswin J Kumar in a discussion on Kerala byelection results.

The electoral debut of Priyanka Gandhi, a surprise shift in allegiances, midnight raids for black money, shocking revelations on Kodakara, and tales of internal rifts in parties—the month-long bypoll campaign dished out quite an eventful package for Kerala voters. Aswin J Kumar decodes three factors that may influence the final verdict in this Kerala bypolls.

In this episode, we unpack the 2024 U.S. election results, where former President Donald Trump made a historic comeback, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. What went wrong for Harris, and how did Trump secure key battleground states like Georgia? Join host Kannan as we dive deep into the economic factors, voter sentiments, and campaign strategies that tipped the scales. 

In this episode, we listen to former bureaucrat-turned-politician Mani Shankar Aiyar discuss his book, The Rajiv I Knew: And Why He was India’s Most Misunderstood Prime Minister at Manorama Hortus. Joining him is Mandira Nayar, former Deputy Bureau Chief at The Week.

In this episode of News Brake, we shed light on the heartbreaking story of Sruthi BS, a young woman whose tragic death has sparked renewed conversations on dowry harassment. 

In this episode, we investigate how cybercriminals use virtual arrests to trap victims in fake legal situations, targeting everyone from celebrities to everyday people.

The Kerala Assembly session was the best chance the LDF government had to rebut all grave allegations it was facing, especially after the PV Anvar rebellion. Was the CPM able to clear the air and restore its political credibility? Ayyappan R joins the discussion on News Brake.

On September 25, a missing truck was recovered from the depths of the Gangavali River, with the driver's remains inside. It marked the end of a 72-day-long search for a Kozhikode native who disappeared during a massive landslide in Ankola, Karnataka. Retired Major General Indrabalan, who led the challenging mission, speaks to News Brake about the obstacles faced, the technology used, and the final breakthrough.

The Tirupati laddoos, once a symbol of devotion, are now at the centre of a swirling political and spiritual debate. This week's News Brake podcast dives into the controversy and the shocking allegations of animal fat in the ghee used to make them.