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TIME 100 Poll Results: Who Did the Web Vote for as the World’s Most Influential?

The annual TIME 100 poll is an opportunity for readers to vote on the year’s most influential figures across all fields, from politics to tech to pop culture. This time around, the weeklong poll became a popularity contest between two Internet behemoths.

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Where Are America’s Most Optimistic Cities?

More than half of Americans say they are hopeful about their hometowns. But which area tops the list?

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Why You Should Love America’s 5 Most ‘Hated’ States

Public Policy Polling ranked states based on popularity — and the results are pretty surprising.

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Santa Claus More Important Than Ever, Poll Confirms

Times may be rough and there might be fewer presents under the tree in family homes across the country this year, but that just means the big guy in the red suit is all the more important.

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Recep Tayyip Erdogan: People’s Choice for TIME’s 2011 Person of the Year

The Turkish Prime Minister was the most popular — and the least popular — in our annual online poll.

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89%

– percentage of Wisconsin residents with a favorable view of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the reigning Super Bowl MVP. Only two figures placed higher than Rodgers: Abraham Lincoln (91%) and Jesus (90%). The Public Policy Polling data found Rodgers is viewed more favorably than even Mother Theresa (83%).

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Paula Deen Named Hottest Celebrity Chef

The way to a man’s heart, they say, is through his stomach. Never has it been truer than in this Maxim study.

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When It Comes To Sex Scandals, Mexico Is The Most Tolerant Country

Sex scandal, schmex scandal. Most of Mexico just doesn’t really care what goes on behind closed bedroom doors.

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Jubilant Jews: Study Finds Jewish People are the Happiest Religious Group

In fact, mazel tov to anyone who identifies as “very religious.” You’re likely more blissful than non-believers.

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William for King: Polls Want Charles Out and William In

The Royal wedding has us at NewsFeed all a flutter. The prestige. The ring. The romance. Seemingly the whole world has been overwhelmed with Prince William and Kate Middleton’s engagement to the point of the Brits actually wanting to crown William ahead of his father.