The most powerful people in the world
Last updated on: November 12, 2009 17:41 IST
US President Barack Obama leads the pack of most powerful people in the world. Forbes says Obama presides over the world's largest economy and is commander-in-chief of the world's richest and largest military. Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace prize.
Hu Jintao follows Obama
Last updated on: November 12, 2009 17:41 IST
Chinese President Hu Jintao presides over the largest population on this planet. Has steered China on a path of modernisation and fuelled its massive growth. China recently hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympics which showcased the nation's economic clout. Hu Jintao is ranked 2nd on the list
The Russian Czar
Last updated on: November 12, 2009 17:41 IST
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is regarded by many to be more powerful than his sucessor Dimitry Medvedev. The former spy cut off natural gas supplies to Western Europe. Putin is a known Obama baiter and uses Russia's veto on the UN Security Council to good effect. Putin is ranked 3rd in the list.
The media baron
Last updated on: November 12, 2009 17:41 IST
Rupert Murdoch's empire spans newspapers, movies, television, news channels and online media is known to use his holdings to further his political views. Murdoch recently threatened to block search engine Google from accessing content from his websites. He is ranked 7th in the list.
The Pope
Last updated on: November 12, 2009 17:41 IST
The spiritual head of the Catholic church and highest temporal authority of 1 billion people, the Pope is a much revered figure. Forbes describes the pontiff as a staunch traditionalist, who comforts many. Pope Benedict XVI is ranked 11th in the list.
The power couple
Last updated on: November 12, 2009 17:41 IST
The only couple to make it on to the list, the Clintons posses massive clout. As Secretary of State, Hillary has to deal with US involvement in Iraq and Afghanisthan and also try and broker peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. Bill Clinton's recent mission to North Korea shows that he still commands a powerful role in global politics.
Hillary is ranked 17th and Bill Clinton is ranked at 31 on the list.
The reclusive dictator
Last updated on: November 12, 2009 17:41 IST
Popularly know as Dear Leader, the North Korean dictator is famous for using body-doubles. He lords over the fourth largest standing army in the world. The North Korean recluse has been ranked 24th in the list.
Singh is king
Last updated on: November 12, 2009 17:41 IST
As Prime Minister of the world's largest democracy, Manmohan Singh is the man who has steered India on the path of liberalisation. As PM he presides over India's nuclear arsenal and is one of the main motivators of the Indo-US nuclear deal , which ended India's nuclear exile. Singh is ranked 36th in the list.
The most wanted man in the world
Last updated on: November 12, 2009 17:41 IST
The most wanted man in the world, Osama-Bin-Laden has the world's most powerful and technologically savvy army looking for him. Laden is the cause of two US wars (Iraq and Afghanistan) and is believed to be hiding in Pakistan. Rumours about his health abound, but he still remains a talismanic figure for suicide bombers and terrorists. Laden is ranked 37th on the list.
The Dalai Lama
Last updated on: November 12, 2009 17:41 IST
The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader takes on the world's most populous nation, China over autonomy for Tibet. The Nobel prize winner preaches non-violence and accuses China of turning Tibet into "hell on earth." The Dalai Lama is ranked 39th on the list.
The most wanted gangster
Last updated on: November 12, 2009 17:41 IST
The son of a police constable, Dawood ibrahim rose to command the largest criminal syndicate in South Asia. Ibrahim oversees international drug trafficking, counterfeiting, weapons smuggling and money laundering. He is suspected of being an Al-Qaeda associate. Ibrahim is the prime suspect in the 1993 Mumbai bombing case. He is believed to be hiding in Pakistan. He is ranked 50th in the list.
