News Broadcasting
Jill Dougherty is CNN Asia Pacific managing editor
MUMBAI: Jill Dougherty has been appointed CNN international managing editor for the Asia Pacific region. She will be based at the network’s regional headquarters in Hong Kong. Previously, CNN Moscow bureau chief, she takes up her new position in May 2005.
Dougherty oversees CNN International’s programming and production facilities in Hong Kong and also coordinates coverage from all of CNN’s correspondents and bureaus across the Asia Pacific region. Dougherty has replaced Paul Cutler who left CNN for family reasons to return to Australia in February 2005.
CNN International MD Chris Cramer said, “Jill is one of the most accomplished senior correspondents and managers at CNN. Jill has covered many of the biggest international stories in the past 15 years and brings with her a flair and vibrancy on screen and excellent managerial skills.”
Dougherty takes on the post of Managing Editor Asia Pacific as China prepares to host the Olympics in 2008, international tension continues to rise in North Korea and much of the business community and government around the world tackle the contentious issue of ‘outsourcing’.
“I am honoured that CNN has asked me to take on this key international role,” said Dougherty. “This part of the world is continually at the center of the biggest global news stories. To be able to lead this award-winning team of correspondents, anchors and staff in Hong Kong and the region is an exciting opportunity to contribute to what CNN does best: provide our viewers around the world with news and programs they trust and enjoy.”
CNN Hong Kong produces more than 30 hours a week of programming for CNN International, including CNN Today, World News Asia, Talk Asia and Spark, while also providing many hours of newsgathering and programming for other CNN’s services including CNN/US, CNN Headline News, CNN.com, CNN.com/International Edition and CNN radio.
Dougherty brings to this position more than two decades of experience. She joined CNN in 1983 as a correspondent based at Chicago bureau. From 1991 to 1996, she was a CNN White House correspondent before she was appointed Moscow bureau chief in 1997.
News Broadcasting
UDF poised to return to power in Kerala, says Manorama-CVoter survey
Massive opinion poll projects shift in Kerala politics ahead of 2026 Assembly elections.
MUMBAI: The winds of change appear to be blowing through Kerala’s political landscape and this time, they seem to favour the United Democratic Front. A comprehensive mega opinion survey conducted by Manorama News in partnership with CVoter projects a potential comeback for the UDF in the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. The survey, covering all 140 constituencies with a massive sample size of nearly 90,000 respondents, predicts the UDF could win between 69 and 81 seats.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to secure 57 to 69 seats, a significant drop from the 99 seats it won in the 2021 elections. This would mean the LDF losing 30 to 42 of its sitting seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which drew a blank in 2021, is projected to open its account with 1 to 5 seats.
Region-wise, the UDF is expected to make strong gains in Malabar, winning 25 to 34 out of 48 seats, and in Central Kerala, where it could bag 29 to 33 out of 53 seats. In South Kerala, the LDF is likely to retain an edge with 21 to 25 seats, while the UDF may improve to 12 to 16 seats. The NDA could pick up 1 to 3 seats in the southern region.
The survey was conducted between 14 and 26 March 2026, with additional tracker and snap polls carried out from December 2025 to March 2026. A total of 89,693 respondents participated, ensuring representation across all demographics and social segments.
Manorama News has a strong track record of accuracy, with its previous projections closely matching the actual results of the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 Kerala Assembly polls.
In Kerala’s famously fierce political battles, this survey suggests the pendulum may be swinging back. Whether the final verdict matches these numbers or throws up another surprise, one thing is clear, the 2026 Assembly elections are shaping up to be one of the most keenly watched contests in the state’s history.
