Rouhani and Putin Among Candidates for Time's 2015 'Person of the Year'

The American magazine Time has published its nominees for 'Person or Group of the Year 2015' as part of its annual tradition, and among this year's nominees is Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran. The list this year also includes other political leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel, as well as a group active in racial equality. Additionally, the name of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, is included among those recognized for their influence and role in significant global events. The eight nominees for Time's 2015 list are: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi; the leader of the group known as the 'Islamic Caliphate' or ISIS, who has attracted followers to fight for the group's self-proclaimed caliphate in Syria and Iraq, and has carried out bloody terrorist attacks in various Middle Eastern countries and France. The racial equality activist group known as 'Black Lives Matter,' which has organized widespread protests against inequality faced by African Americans, particularly regarding the treatment by law enforcement. Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, a well-known American television personality, who announced this year that she is a transgender woman, sparking extensive discussions about gender identity and LGBTQ rights. Travis Kalanick, founder and CEO of the ride-sharing company Uber, which reached a financial valuation of about $70 billion this year, while facing criticism for the weaknesses and legal issues of this urban transportation model. Angela Merkel, who has been at the center of important news and decisions this year, such as the potential collapse of the Eurozone and the financial crisis in Greece, as well as the ongoing migration crisis in Europe. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, who has resisted and defied Western sanctions against Russia's military intervention in Ukraine, and since late summer has taken a significant role in the fight against ISIS through military intervention in Syria. Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, who has sought to reduce Iran's isolation and end the international sanctions that have severely pressured Iran's economy through ongoing negotiations and reaching a nuclear agreement with world powers. Donald Trump, a Republican candidate for the 2016 U.S. presidential election, who, with his populist slogans and controversial behavior, has so far outpaced his rivals and sparked significant discussions about the political future of the Republican Party. The 'Person or Group of the Year' will be announced by Time magazine this Wednesday through the magazine's website and NBC News, and until then, interested individuals can participate in voting for the 2015 Person or Group of the Year by visiting the websites of these two news organizations.