Forbes most powerful people

Forbes most powerful people, FORBES launched its latest issue on Wednesday, including the list of the most powerful people. Russian President Vladimir Putin ranked first and generated a hefty debate among readers. Read the story naming Putin the World’s Most Powerful Person here and check out the full list here.

Steve Forbes also contributed to the debate. “The criticism of Forbes dropping Barack Obama to the number two spot behind Vladimir Putin as the most powerful man in the world misses two big points.” Read Is Putin Really More Powerful Than Obama?

“Lots of people–including President Obama–have trumpeted their role in the success of the government-backed turnaround plan that saved General Motors GM +3.24%, the most important industrial company in the history of the United States. FORBES presents an exclusive, unprecedented look at what really happened during GM’s darkest days, how a tiny band of corporate outsiders and turnaround experts convened in Detroit and hatched a radical plan that ultimately set the foundation for the salvation of the company” — Jay Alix. Read  How General Motors Was Really Saved: The Untold True Story Of The Most Important Bankruptcy In U.S. History.

“It has been another year of horrible headlines for Mexico. Yet there is reason for hope. In the shadow of all this hardship a radical transformation of Mexico’s economy is on the horizon. Under the leadership of new President Enrique Peña Nieto, the country’s congress will by the end of this year almost certainly pass a constitutional amendment to open up its oil and natural gas sector to private investment. By this time in 2014 the likes of ExxonMobil, PetroChina PTR +1.47% and Norway’s Statoil STO -1.16% could even have contracts in place to start exploring for Mexico’s untapped oil and gas bounty” — Christopher Helman and Agustino Fontevecchia. Read Mexico’s Enrique Peña Nieto Is Leading An Oil Revolution Worth Billions.

“With the year’s most anticipated initial public offering only days away, two financial firms are suing Twitter in connection with a private sale of its shares that was allegedly cancelled abruptly last year” — Nathan Vardi. Read Twitter Sued For Fraud Over Cancelled Private Share Sale.

“West Coast rhymer Dom Kennedy’s second album is currently at No. 4 on the R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, behind new releases from Drake, Justin Timberlake and Pusha T. Like his peers, fans can buy Kennedy’s album in Best Buy or on iTunes, but unlike his Billboard chart mates, Kennedy has done it all without a record deal or marketing team” — Natalie Robehmed. Read How Rapper Dom Kennedy Made It Without A Record Deal.

The Best Of FORBES will feature additional content from the magazine throughout the week.