The List: The World's Most Powerful People

Forbes has released its annual list of The World's Most Powerful People. It is not entirely clear whether it was intended to provoke thought or serve as a true reflection of the magazine's views (or perhaps serve both purposes), but American President Barack Obama was supplanted at the top of the list by Chinese president Hu Jintao. Forbes cites the potential for increased obstruction of the president's agenda after a tough mid-term election cycle as the main reason for the slip-up. Interestingly, being number two on the power list doesn't even gain Obama bragging rights in his own home; First Lady Michelle Obama was listed as The World's Most Powerful Woman by the same publication about a month ago...