OSLO: US whistleblower Edward Snowden, Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai and Russian President Vladimir Putin are among the nominees for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, as the Nobel Institute announced on Tuesday a record 278 candidates. <\/p>\n
\"The number of nominations increases almost every year, which shows a growing interest in the prize,\" the head of the institute, Geir Lundestad, told AFP. <\/p>\n
The Nobel committee convened on Tuesday for the first time this year to examine the candidate list and will announce the laureate in Oslo on October 10. <\/p>\n
Even though the list is kept secret for at least 50 years, the sponsors can choose to reveal the name of their nominee. <\/p>\n
Putin is thought to be on the list, since Russian figures proposed his name in October, citing his role in the Syrian crisis. <\/p>\n
The former KGB agent is credited with averting a US attack against Syria by suggesting putting Bashar al-Assad's regime's chemical weapons arsenal under international control. <\/p>\n
Being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize is relatively easy, since thousands of people can suggest candidates: lawmakers and ministers, university professors and former laureates. <\/p>\n
At their first meeting, the five committee members themselves can add more names to the list. <\/p>\n
The committee insists that being nominated does not imply an endorsement on its part. <\/p>\n
Putin's chances of winning the prize appear limited given the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n