Darth Vader Will Not Be President of the Ukraine after All

Sadly, it looks like Darth Vader has been barred from running for President of Ukraine. Officials have found out that he was using a false name. You might remember that Vader had been nominated for the post by the Internet Party of Ukraine. Not anymore. The country’s electoral commission voted by 14-1 to reject his nomination.
vader ukrainemagnify

They cited fraudulent behavior in contravention of election rules. It probably didn’t help that he is known for building Death Stars and wiping out entire planets. He was one of 23 candidates rejected out of the 46 nominations.

The candidate submitted a passport to election officials, issued last month, in the name of Darth Vader. While other paperwork he submitted was in the name of Viktor Shevchenko, an electrician born in 1956. Prank or not, this was expensive. Applying as presidential candidate costs 2.5 million Ukrainian hyrvnia. That is more than $200,000(USD).

Sorry Mr. Vader. Maybe next time.

[via Geeks Are Sexy]

Google Maps Stays Neutral By Only Showing Your Side in Border Disputes

Google Maps Stays Neutral By Only Showing Your Side in Border Disputes

Border disputes are still going on in a bunch of places around the world. That makes life difficult for mapmakers, and especially difficult for the world’s favorite online map service, Google Maps. As The Washington Post points out, Google strives to not get stuck in the middle of a territorial struggle, by showing you the border you most likely want to see based on where you’re Googling from.

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Darth Vader Could Be the Next President of Ukraine

When voters go to the polls in Ukraine, they will soon have their choice between a bunch of the usual lying politicians and… Darth Vader. Hey, at least he is honest about being a jerkwad. Yes, Darth Vader has officially announced his candidacy.

darth vader ukrainemagnify

The Dark Lord of the Sith told RT news, “I am prepared to take responsibility for the fate of this country, if fellow citizens do me this high honor. I alone can make an empire out of a republic, to restore former glory, to return lost territories and pride for this country.”

This isn’t a complete prank. Well, it is, but it is an expensive one. Vader is being backed by a real party called the Internet Party of Ukraine which was made official back in 2007. The party has filed all the necessary paperwork and even made the required deposit of $225,225 so Darth Vader will appear as a candidate on the May 25th ballot. If he wins, I hope we finally get a Death Star.

[via Daily Dot and Gizmodo via Nerd Approved]

Darth Vader Will Run For President of Ukraine

Darth Vader Will Run For President of Ukraine

In perhaps the most unexpected turn of events in Ukrainian politics, RT News says that Darth Vader, Sith Lord of the Galactic Empire, has declared himself a candidate in the Ukrainian presidential election. The political force is strong with this one.

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What the Ukrainian Crisis Means for Astronauts in Space

What the Ukrainian Crisis Means for Astronauts in Space

Ever since NASA retired its space shuttle program in 2011, the only way to get up to the International Space Station is on a Russian Soyuz. That’s why the six humans currently orbiting in space—including two Americans and three Russians—might be paying attention to what’s happening on earth two hundred miles below. As tensions run high between the U.S. and Russia over the situation in Ukraine, geopolitics may find its way into space again.

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Ukraine Is Now Being Hit by Cyberattacks

Ukraine Is Now Being Hit by Cyberattacks

If there weren’t already enough problems in Ukraine, it’s now coming under heavy electronic attack, too.

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Video: Russian attack helicopters entering Ukraine

Video: Russian attack helicopters entering Ukraine

This is pretty damn scary but, according to local media, this video allegedly shows about ten Russian attack Mi- 24 Hind helicopters entering Ukrainian air space through Crimea, the autonomous Ukrainian republic where 58.5-percent of the population are ethnic Russians.

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Tour the Opulent, Evacuated McMansions of Ukraine's Fallen Leaders

Tour the Opulent, Evacuated McMansions of Ukraine's Fallen Leaders

Earlier this week, surreal images emerged of Ukrainian protesters storming the palace of President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled the capital city after violent unrest. Now, protesters have made their way into another mansion, the home of attorney general Victor P. Pshonka. No ostriches, as were found on Yanukovych’s estate, but there are Fabergé eggs!

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The Mobile App Driving Venezuela's Anti-Government Protests

The Mobile App Driving Venezuela's Anti-Government Protests

Zello is a walkie-talkie app made by a small company based in Austin, Texas—but if you’ve heard of it, it’s probably because you’ve been following the news in Venezuela or Ukraine. Some of its biggest users are protesters taking to the streets. The app’s creators hadn’t planned on getting involved in political revolutions, so you could say this is one hell of a pivot.

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Incredible drone video shows Ukraine's riot battlefield from above

A drone films protesters clashing with police forces as tires and Molotov cocktails burn in Kiev’s Independence Square. The battle has started again, after yesterday’s failed truce. At least 75 have been killed on since last Tuesday, according to Ukraine’s government officials.

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