Tuesday, April 05, 2011

[CNN] Time's 100 most influential people

Over at TIME.com, you can vote for who you think should be included among TIME's 100 most influential people in the world. The winner of the online poll will be included in the TIME 100. Voting closes on April 14.

Right now, the following world figures are in the lead:

Rain: This South Korean sensation has been making waves in his native country for years, but his catchy beats and hot dance moves have made his popularity soar internationally. Who can forget that dance-off with Stephen Colbert, or his parts in the movies Speed Racer and Ninja Assassin?

Fukushima Power Plant Workers: Since a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast of Japan on March 11, the world has lauded Japanese citizens for their stalwart demeanor in the face of an unprecedented triptych of deadly disasters. But few have inspired more respect than the workers at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Mohamed Bouazizi: Bouazizi was literally the spark that set off the revolutions of the Arab Spring. The sole support for his mother and his seven siblings, he was humiliated and abused by a policewoman in the Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid. She confiscated the fruit and vegetable cart with which he made his living. Bouazizi set himself on fire in front of the local government building. Fatally burned, he lingered for more than two weeks even as immense popular anger grew around Tunisia, fed by Facebook and other social media. When Bouazizi died, the authoritarian government of President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali would find itself with just 10 days to survive as the first of the revolutions to convulse the region sent the dictator fleeing.

Source: CNN.com

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