Mohir | My Amplog

Candidates for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize include a Russian human rights group, a Chinese dissident and an inanimate object: the Internet, people who made the nominations said Tuesday.

As the submission deadline for the coveted award closed, the Nobel Committee maintained its tradition of giving no hints — the contenders are kept secret for 50 years. But some nominations were announced by those who made them.

The Internet was proposed by the Italian version of Wired magazine, which cited its use as a tool to advance “dialogue, debate and consensus through communication” and to promote democracy. Organizers said signatories to its petition backing the nomination include 2003 peace laureate and exiled Iranian activist Shirin Ebadi — which would make it a legitimate entry. Read more at www.boston.com