The boy from Muthurwa who carried a nation’s hopes onto some of football’s biggest stages has finally called time on his journey. Victor Wanyama, the first Kenyan to play in the Premier League, announced his retirement on Friday, bringing an end to a 20-year-long career
As summer sets in, mangoes are flooding markets across India—but not all of them are as safe as they look. Many are being chemically ripened and sold under the label of “organic," raising serious health concerns. Authorities are now urging consumers to look beyond the tempting golden glow
Amid the intensifying political battle ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday targeted Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Gaurav Gogoi, calling them “Pappu" and “chhota Pappu" respectively.Amid the intensifying political battle ahead of the Assam
India's exports have sustained healthy momentum despite global headwinds and are expected to post positive growth in 2025-26, a senior official of the Commerce Ministry said on Friday (April 3, 2026). The exports and imports data for the month of March and the full 2025-26 fiscal year will be
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed uproar on the final day of the Budget Session on Saturday (April 4, 2026), with members of the National Conference, the Congress and the PDP demanding a judicial probe into the recent Ganderbal encounter
The Iranian and United States forces were on Saturday attempting to find a crew member from the first American fighter jet to be shot down inside Iran since the beginning of the conflict, AFP reported. While Tehran said it had shot down the F-15 warplane
A fast-growing wildfire in windy Southern California prompted multiple evacuation orders and warnings on Friday (April 4, 2026). The Springs Fire broke out at around 11 a.m., and by 2.30 p.m. on Friday (April 4), the area had grown to 2.34 sq km
In a major policy decision, the Indian government has imposed strict curbs on the import of all forms of gold, silver, and platinum articles with immediate effect. The new restrictions, issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
How Syria's first elections since autocrat Assad's ouster is expected to unfold
Syria will hold parliamentary elections this Sunday. This marks the first vote since Bashar Assad's removal. Most seats will be filled by electoral colleges. Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa will appoint one-third of the parliament. The process faces criticism for lacking a popular vote. Questions about women and minority representation also arise. Some areas will not participate.
Syria is set to hold parliamentary elections on Sunday for the first time since the fall of the country's longtime autocratic leader, Bashar Assad, who was unseated in a rebel offensive in December.
Under the 50-year rule of the Assad dynasty, Syria held regular elections in which all Syrian citizens could vote. But in practice, the Assad-led Baath Party always dominated the parliament, and the votes were widely regarded as sham elections.
Outside election analysts said the only truly competitive part of the process came before election day - with the internal primary system in the Baath Party, when party members jockeyed for positions on the list.
The elections to be held on Sunday, however, will not be a fully democratic process either. Rather, most of the People's Assembly seats will be voted on by electoral colleges in each district, while one third of the seats will be directly appointed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
Despite not being a popular vote, the election results will likely be taken as a barometer of how serious the interim authorities are about inclusivity, particularly of women and minorities.
Here's a breakdown of how the elections will work and what to watch.
How the system works The People's Assembly has 210 seats, of which two-thirds will be elected on Sunday and one-third appointed. The elected seats are voted upon by electoral colleges in districts throughout the country, with the number of seats for each district distributed by population.
In theory, a total of 7,000 electoral college members in 60 districts - chosen from a pool of applicants in each district by committees appointed for the purpose - should vote for 140 seats.
However, the elections in Sweida province and in areas of the northeast controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have been indefinitely postponed due to tensions between the local authorities in those areas and the central government in Damascus, meaning that those seats will remain empty.
In practice, therefore, around 6,000 electoral college members will vote in 50 districts for about 120 seats.
The largest district is the one containing the city of Aleppo, where 700 electoral college members will vote to fill 14 seats, followed by the city of Damascus, with 500 members voting for 10 seats.
All candidates come from the membership of the electoral colleges.
Following Assad's ouster, the interim authorities dissolved all existing political parties, most of which were closely affiliated with the Assad government, and have not yet set up a system for new parties to register, so all candidates are running as individuals.
Why no popular vote The interim authorities have said that it would be impossible to create an accurate voter registry and conduct a popular vote at this stage, given that millions of Syrians were internally or externally displaced by the country's nearly 14-year civil war and many have lost personal documents.
This parliament will have a 30-month term, during which the government is supposed to prepare the ground for a popular vote in the next elections.
The lack of a popular vote has drawn criticism of being undemocratic, but some analysts say the government's reasons are legitimate.
"We don't even know how many Syrians are in Syria today," because of the large number of displaced people, said Benjamin Feve, a senior research analyst at the Syria-focused Karam Shaar Advisory consulting firm.
"It would be really difficult to draw electoral lists today in Syria," or to arrange the logistics for Syrians in the diaspora to vote in their countries of residence, he said.
Haid Haid, a senior research fellow at the Arab Reform Initiative and the Chatham House think tank said that the more concerning issue was the lack of clear criteria under which electors were selected.
"Especially when it comes to choosing the subcommittees and the electoral colleges, there is no oversight, and the whole process is sort of potentially vulnerable to manipulation," he said.
There have been widespread objections after electoral authorities "removed names from the initial lists that were published, and they did not provide detailed information as to why those names were removed," he said.
Questions about inclusivity There is no set quota for representation of women and religious or ethnic minorities in the parliament.
Women were required to make up 20% of electoral college members, but that did not guarantee that they would make up a comparable percentage of candidates or of those elected.
State-run news agency SANA, citing the head of the national elections committee, Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, reported that women made up 14% of the 1,578 candidates who made it to the final lists. In some districts, women make up 30 or 40% of all candidates, while in others, there are no female candidates.
Meanwhile, the exclusion of the Druze-majority Sweida province and Kurdish-controlled areas in the northeast as well as the lack of set quotas for minorities has raised questions about representation of communities that are not part of the Sunni Arab national majority.
The issue is particularly sensitive after outbreaks of sectarian violence in recent months in which hundreds of civilians from the Alawite and Druze minorities were killed, many of them by government-affiliated fighters.
Feve noted that electoral districts had been drawn in such a way as to create minority-majority districts.
"What the government could have done if it wanted to limit the number of minorities, it could have merged these districts or these localities with majority Sunni Muslim districts," he said. "They could have basically drowned the minorities which is what they didn't do."
Officials have also pointed to the one-third of parliament directly appointed by al-Sharaa as a mechanism to "ensure improvement in the inclusivity of the legislative body," Haid said. The idea is that if few women or minorities are elected by the electoral colleges, the president would include a higher percentage in his picks.
The lack of representation of Sweida and the northeast remains problematic, Haid said - even if al-Sharaa appoints legislators from those areas.
"The bottom line is that regardless of how many people will be appointed from those areas, the dispute between the de facto authorities and Damascus over their participation in the political process will remain a major issue," he said.
Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
Source: EconomicTimes
Related Posts: Election Commission to hold press conference on Sunday Nepal heads for parliamentary elections Himachal BJP leaders hold protest over FIR against Bindal U.S. diplomats on Syria abruptly let go amid pro-Damascus policy push Four people killed in Syria after an Iranian missile falls on building Recalling Syria’s political milestones Syria feels lighter without the Assads International rights group chief says Syria’s reforms are promising but democracy is still lacking America Has a New Ally in Syria and Wants Israel to Get on Board Israeli forces kill 13 in southern Syria operation
The first glimpse of Nitesh Tiwari’s magnum opus, officially titled “Rama", was unveiled on April 2 to mark the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. While the teaser dazzled audiences with its Rs 4,000 crore scale and Ranbir Kapoor’s serene portrayal of the titular deity
4 hours ago
India Data Centre Capacity 2030: According to media reports, India’s data centre capacity is projected to grow nearly fivefold, from over 4,500 MW (4.5 GW) to potentially 8 to 10 GW by 2030, driven by rising AI workloads, cloud adoption, and a 20 to 30 billion dollar investment surge
4 hours ago
Realme 16 5G Vs OnePlus Nord 5 Price In India: The Realme 16 5G focuses on battery, durability, and software support, while the OnePlus Nord 5 delivers flagship-level performance, a better display, and versatile cameras. Realme 16 5G Vs OnePlus Nord 5 Price In India: If you are looking for the best
4 hours ago
TV's Rama praises Ranbir Kapoor's aura in Ramayana teaser, but wants no Arun Govil comparison: 'Impossible to match him'Sujay Reu, who played Lord Rama in Shrimad Ramayan, praises Ranbir Kapoor's portrayal of the deity in the Ramayana teaser and expresses hope for the film. Apr 4, 2026
4 hours ago
Alexandersson stresses \"mindset\" as India gear up for Australia challenge in U20 Women’s Asian Cup Updated on: Apr 04, 2026 5:03 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Alexandersson stresses \"mindset\" as India gear up for Australia challenge in U20 Women’s Asian Cup Key Takeaways Summary is
4 hours ago
What began as an energetic evening of music quickly spiralled into chaos during Sunanda Sharma’s live performance at Raj Kumar Goel Institute of Technology (RKGIT) in Ghaziabad on April 3. The Punjabi singer-actor, known for popular tracks like Jatt Yamla, Jaani Tera Naa and Pagal Nahi Hona
4 hours ago
Payal Nag stuns Sheetal for gold as India top standings in Bangkok Para Archery Published on: Apr 04, 2026 4:58 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Payal Nag stuns Sheetal for gold as India top standings in Bangkok Para Archery Key Takeaways Summary is AI-generated Teenage quadruple amputee archer Payal
4 hours ago
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala, accusing the ruling alliance of maintaining close ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
4 hours ago
Stalin slams NEP 3-language plan, Pradhan calls it ‘linguistic liberation’Tamil Nadu CM flags “Hindi imposition” in CBSE’s new language policy, while Centre says NEP promotes multilingualism and flexibility in education. Published on: Apr 04, 2026 5:40 PM IST By Sanjay Maurya
4 hours ago
New York teacher earning $90,000 uses $55 an hour side hustle to pay off her student loanA New York teacher boosts income with a side hustle earning $55 an hour, aiming to clear student debt and build financial stability. Published on: Apr 04
4 hours ago
Diplomat with a canvas: Ambassador Khobragade bridging cultures with his artworksDiplomat with a canvas: Ambassador Khobragade bridging cultures with his artworks Published on: Apr 04, 2026 5:59 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi, A diplomat's life largely involves holding bilateral
4 hours ago
Dehradun, Apr 4 (PTI) Uttarakhand Police have arrested two more men involved in the murder of a retired Brigadier following an encounter on early Saturday morning, officials said. Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Singh Dobal said that a total of nine individuals have been
4 hours ago
Gujarat Titans will play Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Gujarat Titans seek their first win after a close loss. Rajasthan Royals are confident after a strong victory. Historically, Gujarat Titans have a good record against Rajasthan Royals. The last encounter was won by Rajasthan Royals
4 hours ago
Volkswagen India has teased the updated Volkswagen Taigun ahead of its official debut in India on April 9, 2026. The upcoming model will be the company’s second launch this year. Volkswagen India has teased the updated Volkswagen Taigun ahead of its official debut in India on April 9, 2026
4 hours ago
The fitness industry is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation. What was once driven by quick fixes and aesthetic goals is now being reshaped into a more layered, long-term pursuit of well-being. Across gyms, studios, and digital platforms
4 hours ago
![New Delhi [India], April 4: Cristiano Ronaldo is more than a football legend — he is a global icon whose name carries unmatched recognition and influence](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/who-is-cr7-and-why-does-it-matter.webp?height=520)
New Delhi [India], April 4: Cristiano Ronaldo is more than a football legend — he is a global icon whose name carries unmatched recognition and influence. Known for his relentless discipline, extraordinary talent, and unwavering pursuit of excellence
4 hours ago
Chardham Yatra is the most sacred pilgrimage in India. These temples are located in the center of India’s magnificent Himalayas. Large number of devotees visit these sacred temples to have a glimpse of the deities and goddesses in the form of river
4 hours ago
Sometimes, the internet reminds us what compassion actually looks like and it does not always come from us. A video of a magpie carefully feeding another bird with a broken upper beak has taken the internet by storm, racking up over one million views and sparking a massive outpouring of emotion
4 hours ago
Voters in West Bengal are anxious as their names are removed from electoral rolls. Many cannot file tribunal appeals offline. Government holidays and election work hinder access to officials. This creates a challenge for those less comfortable with online processes
4 hours ago
Nasa has shared the first high-resolution images of the Earth taken by the Artemis II crew as they pass the halfway point between the Earth and the Moon. The mission's commander, Reid Wiseman, took the "spectacular" images, Nasa says, after the crew completed a final engine burn that set them on a
4 hours ago
A suspicious drone was spotted near CM Mamata Banerjee’s helicopter in Malda’s Malatipur on Saturday. The incident occurred during her 2026 Assembly election campaign rally. Police have launched an investigation into the security breach. A suspicious drone was spotted near the helicopter of
4 hours ago
Rajinikanth announced that Jailer 2 has completed shooting and is in post-production, while also revealing plans to begin filming a high-profile collaboration with Kamal Haasan in August 2026. Chennai: Veteran actor Rajinikanth on Saturday confirmed that the shooting of his much-anticipated sequel
4 hours ago
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the upcoming mythological epic Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor in the divine role of Lord Rama. New Delhi: After massive anticipation, the makers of the upcoming magnum opus Ramayana unveiled the first glimpse of Lord Rama on Thursday. Ranbir Kapoor
4 hours ago
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso left his role by mutual consent on Friday (April 3, 2026), three days after the national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. The Italian soccer federation announced the news in a statement thanking Gattuso “for the dedication and passion” during
4 hours ago
Maruti Suzuki Dzire is one of the most loved cars among Indian buyers. In FY2026, the automaker sold around 2.3 lakh units of Dzire, showing the popularity of compact sedans in the Indian market. Maruti Suzuki Dzire is one of the most loved cars among Indian buyers. In FY2026
5 hours ago
With gold prices witnessing sharp volatility, jewellers are stepping up promotional strategies ahead of Akshaya Tritiya, one of the biggest gold-buying festivals in India. KISNA Diamond and Gold Jewellery has introduced a Gold Rate Protection Plan
4 hours ago
Torrent Gas raises CNG price by Rs 2.50 per kg, hitting auto drivers and commuters, private firms hike petrol and diesel while state owned retailers hold rates steady Torrent Gas has announced a hike of Rs 2.50 per kg in compressed natural gas (CNG) prices in the city
4 hours ago
