The HSBC chief has overseen a turbulent year for the bank, which was forced to pay out US$1.9 billion in fines and penalties to settle US money-laundering accusations. The bank's financial results, revealed this week, was also dented by US$2.3 billion for mis-selling financial products in Britain. But despite the steep payouts, Gulliver can afford a smile after his personal compensation increased from US$10.6 million to US$14.1 million.

To his friends and family back home in Russia, Khakimov had been dead for three decades. But in fact the former Soviet soldier was alive and well in the Afghan city of Herat. After being discovered by Russian aid workers searching for survivors of the Afghan conflict, the former soldier will get the chance to see his relatives again.