Transport developments will be no less powerful an influence in shaping city development in the next century.

ECONOMIST: The music of the metropolis

"Jack Ma may not be running the day-to-day activities... he will still have an influence in where the company should be headed, " Frederick Wong, executive director of Avant Capital Management (HK).

BBC: Jack Ma to step down as boss of Alibaba

Already, the major industries that would be most affected have spent heavily in an effort to influence lawmakers.

FORBES: Wait And See

Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez has aggressively tried to influence the different countries of the region and pretends to be the regional leader that will put an end to American influence in the region.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Taking Iran's missiles in Venezuela seriously

Because Bahrain hosts a U.S. naval presence, and because it has been able to cultivate an international image as an ally against radicalism even as it remains a theocratic state, there is an assumption that the American influence in Bahrain could be decisive.

FORBES: Three Lessons in Bahrain

And if he turned out to be Congo-Brazzaville's kingmaker, he would have great influence in an oil-rich country with a major port on the Atlantic coast.

ECONOMIST: The Congos

While antismoking campaigns which focus on teens may be useful, an important aim is to determine the ways in which these specific genes influence progression to begin smoking, and to further evaluate whether medications currently on the market which reduce cigarette cravings have any influence on these high risk genes.

FORBES: Genetic Factors Linked to Smoking Addiction in Teens