Michelle Obama - newcomers in a list of the world's most powerful women

US First Lady Michelle Obama - among the newcomers in a list of the world's most powerful women.
Mrs Obama made her initial appearance at number 40 on the list for Forbes Magazine, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel took the top spot for the fourth time.

Only four UK women complete the Top 100 - down from five last year. They were led by Anglo American chief executive Cynthia Carroll, in fourth position.

"We look at hundreds of women who are at the top of their fields in politics, business, and non-profits, and set them against one another to see how they rank in terms of power," said Chana Schoenberger, co-editor of the list.

As well as Mrs Obama, Iceland's first female prime minister, Johanna Sigurdardottir, complete her debut on the list - mainly due to her being charged with getting her country's banking system back on its feet after Iceland was forced to rescue its three main banks last year.