American Time magazine announced the contenders for "Person of the Year”.

      The list of 42 candidates includes the presidents of Russia – Vladimir Putin, of the United States – Barack Obama, of Syria – Bashar al-Assad and of Iran – Hassan Rouhani.

      Time's editorial staff also included the Pope in the number of applicants, as well as U.S. intelligence exposer Edward Snowden. Currently, the spectator sympathies poll is led by American singer Miley Cyrus, who has already become famous in the United States for her outrageous performances. Edward Snowden, who reported the total surveillance by National Security Agency and who now lives in Russia, occupies the fourth position so far.

      Putin currently is on eighth place of the ranking. According to the editors’ comment, it was Snowden's issue, of which Russian President Putin had an opinion, other than the United States. Time gives credit to Putin for breaking down West's plans for military intervention in Syrian conflict. The poll will continue until December 4 on Time website. Readers’ choice will be known on December 6. "Person of the Year" by the Time magazine will be announced on December 11. Time’s Person of 2012 was Barak Obama.