wow888 app Hand-painted holiday scenes with recognizable Joplin features will be lit Tuesday night at Joplin City Hall. The winter scenes are painted to resemble stained glass art by Neosho artist Sandra Pemberton of Sandra Dawn's Fine Arts. City efforts to decorate the first-floor windows during the holiday season resulted from the building's earlier history as Newman's, a mercantile store that once provided Joplin-area residents with goods such as clothing and furniture. Patrick Tuttle, director of the Visit Joplin bureau, said city staff in 2009 brought back the holiday tradition to decorate the windows as Newman's once did. The painted window effects are provided by Visit Joplin, the city's convention and visitors bureau, which is located in City Hall. Pemberton, known regionally for large-scale murals, created the paintings for the windows on vinyl. The 2024 installment is titled "Mining Camp Celebration;" it features a depiction of a particular groundhog that served in the past as a Joplin mascot representing a miner and now represents the visitors bureau. The mural recounts Joplin’s history as part of the Tri-State Mining District. "A miner’s life was hard and, at times, treacherous. Family and faith were dear to them," Tuttle said. "Mining Camp Celebration" is a three-panel mural showing that though the winter weather may have brought snow, ice and cold conditions at ground level, the climate within the mines stayed consistent year-round, Tuttle said. The window series started in 2021 with "Santa's Stop in Joplin." It depicts is a wintry scene in three panels that showcases Joplin’s Grand Falls with a classic Woody Wagon, some puppies, gifts, nature and Santa pausing before delivering another sack of presents. In 2022, "Dressed in Holiday Style" draws from the days when Newman’s Department Store would be decked out for holiday shoppers. Depicted in three panels, the left panel shows men’s and women’s fashions for the season and the styles the upper society might wear. The right double panels show off the toy shop to delight children's wishes for Santa's visit. In 2023, "Holiday Home" joined the series. It depicts what a family Christmas might have looked like in Joplin's yesteryear homes such as those of the Dr. Winfred Post and Oliver S. Picher families. The grand staircase, where all the stockings were hung, is set in the Picher home of the historic Murphysburg neighborhood. The interior of the house is the picture of elegance with high wainscoting, stained glass windows, crystal chandeliers, 10-foot vaulted ceilings, six fireplaces, a servant’s dumbwaiter and a grand staircase. The tree in this painting is a remembrance of Post. It is said that he wired together many trees to achieve a grand height in the Great Hall of the Post home on East 15th Street. He would decorate the tall tree by placing a a hook on the end of a pole to place decorations on the tree's great height. Tuttle said that “though the stained-glass scenes can be viewed by residents and guests alike at any time of the day, the stained-glass effect is backlit and best observed at night." The holiday scenes will be in place until Friday, Jan. 3.Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 ATLANTA (AP) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent roughly 22 months in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife Rosalynn then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said he died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’ PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — The 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, James Earl Carter Jr., died Sunday at the age of 100. His life ended where it began, in Plains, Georgia. He left and returned to the tiny town many times as he climbed to the nation’s highest office and lost it after four tumultuous years. Carter spent the next 40 years setting new standards for what a former president can do. Carter wrote nearly a decade ago that he found all the phases of his life challenging but also successful and enjoyable. The Democrat's principled but pragmatic approach defied American political labels, especially the idea that one-term presidents are failures. Jet crash disaster in South Korea marks another setback for Boeing WASHINGTON (AP) — A machinists strike. Another safety problem involving its troubled top-selling airliner. A plunging stock price. 2024 was already a dispiriting year for Boeing, the American aviation giant. But when one of the company’s jets crash-landed in South Korea on Sunday, killing all but two of the 181 people on board, it brought to a close an especially unfortunate year for Boeing. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and aviation experts were quick to distinguish Sunday’s incident from the company’s earlier safety problems. Alan Price, an airline consultant, said it would be inappropriate to link the incident Sunday to two fatal crashes involving Boeing’s troubled 737 Max jetliner in 2018 and 2019. South Korean authorities seek warrant to detain impeached President Yoon in martial law probe SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean law enforcement officials have requested a court warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol as they investigate whether his short-lived martial law decree this month amounted to rebellion. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, which is leading a joint investigation with police and military authorities into the power grab that lasted only a few hours, confirmed it requested the warrant on Monday. Investigators plan to question Yoon on charges of abuse of authority and orchestrating a rebellion. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. Azerbaijan's president says crashed jetliner was shot down by Russia unintentionally Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev says the Azerbaijani airliner that crashed last week was shot down by Russia, albeit unintentionally. Aliyev told Azerbaijani state television on Sunday that the aircraft was hit by fire from the ground over Russia and rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare. He accused Russia of trying to “hush up” the issue for several days. The crash on Wednesday killed 38 of 67 people on board. Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Aliyev on Saturday for what he called a “tragic incident” but stopped short of acknowledging Moscow’s responsibility. Croatia's incumbent president gains most votes for re-election, but not enough to avoid a runoff ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic has swept most votes in the first round of a presidential election, but will have to face a runoff against a ruling party candidate to secure another five-year term. With 99% percent of the vote counted Sunday, Milanovic won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%. Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on Jan. 12, as none of the eight presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011.

The India’s government organisation dedicated to developing technologies for exploring and harnessing ocean resources has been exploring parts of the Indian Ocean for the last few years. In October, the National Institute of Ocean Technology conducted a successful exploratory mining trial in the Andaman Sea, between India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Myanmar, for obtaining polymetallic nodules from the seabed. This trial followed surveys and identification of polymetallic nodules within the country’s exclusive economic zone by the Geological Survey of India. The Indian government has rights to explore this area in the sea, which extends approximately 200 nautical miles from the coast, for resources. The area includes the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, and the Lakshadweep Island group in the Laccadive Sea. The scientists at National Institute of Ocean Technology, under India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences, employed a machine called Varaha-3, specially designed for this location. “A machine was developed that can withstand the rigors in the Andaman Sea with it being a rocky area, very unlike the soft soil found at the abyssal plain, and also mine with minimal environmental impact,” said a senior scientist from the deep-sea mining team at National Institute of Ocean Technology, who asked not to be named citing a team effort. Varaha-3 weighs six to seven tons under water and has a comb-type collector mechanism to pick up nodules embedded in the sea floor. What are polymetallic nodules? The ocean bed has tons of potato-sized rocks, formed over millions of years, called polymetallic nodules. Proponents of deep-sea mining say these nodules, which contain cobalt, copper, nickel and manganese, among other metals, will be vital for the production of batteries in electronics and electric cars, solar panels and wind turbines, and aid in the energy transition process. While India’s previous trial in the central Indian Ocean was with another model called Varaha-1 at a test depth of about 5,270 meters (17,290 feet), Varaha-3, with similar electrical and hydraulic systems, was operated at a depth of 1,200 m (3,940 ft) in India’s exclusive economic zone. It collected nodules that ranged in size from 60 to 120 millimetres (2.36 to 4.72 inches). As the next step, after a more comprehensive survey of the mineable areas in collaboration with Geological Survey of India, the National Institute of Ocean Technology plans for another trial in the Andaman Sea in 2025. According to the deep-sea mining team, this attempt is aimed at proving the technology and the engineering system for collecting and transiting the nodules to the surface. Varaha-3 being deployed in the Andaman Sea for an exploratory mining trial. Image courtesy of NIOT, via Mongabay. Deep-sea mining progress Even as the International Seabed Authority, responsible for the seabed mining policies, is yet to finalise the mining code for exploitation or commercial purposes, countries or parties with exploratory licenses have been conducting mining trials in international waters. Some national governments and mining companies plan to begin mining as soon as possible, which could be within the next few years. The International Seabed Authority has allocated 75,000 sq km (29,000 square miles) in the central Indian Ocean – an area almost 50 times the size of London – to India for conducting exploratory mining. The Geological Survey of India has also been exploring India’s exclusive economic zone, in the Andaman Sea and Arabian Sea, to locate polymetallic nodules, and it states that surveys to find more occurrences will continue. The country’s Deep Ocean Mission , at an estimated cost of $483 million, also mentions the development of deep-sea mining technologies as one of its key components. While the National Institute of Ocean Technology improves on the mining system, the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology is also working on the technology to extract minerals from polymetallic nodules. It is evident that India is gearing up to harness deep-sea minerals. “With respect to the technology readiness level of India’s deep-sea mining system, we still have more steps to complete. We are conducting studies, fixing the configuration, and, as we get more information, we are improving the design and making it environment-friendly and efficient,” the National Institute of Ocean Technology scientist said. “While the trials are conducted in the sea, the plan is to have a complete system for collecting the nodules, sizing and pumping them up to the surface. The separated water thereafter would be disposed responsibly with minimal impact on the environment, adhering to the global standards.” The team expects to complete the work in the next few years. Nodules and rock pieces collected from Seawell Rise in the Andaman Sea. Image courtesy of NIOT, via Mongabay. New studies The resistance to deep-sea mining is simultaneously at an all-time high, globally. More than 900 scientists and policy experts have recommended a pause on deep-sea mining, citing the stress and impact of seabed mining on the marine ecosystem and biodiversity. “Within just two years, 32 countries have announced their commitment to a precautionary pause or moratorium,” said Sofia Tsenikli, from Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, an alliance of organisations working to promote the conservation of biodiversity on the high seas. “In addition to states, financial institutions representing trillions of dollars, automakers, battery companies, fishing groups, Indigenous communities, human rights and climate activists, youth, and others from all walks of life, are recognising that our planet does not need deep-sea mining and are calling for a moratorium. The message is crystal clear: humanity must find harmony with nature.” Earlier this year, a study published in Nature Geoscience found that dark oxygen is produced at the abyssal seafloor where polymetallic nodules abound in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean. The study, funded by Canada-based The Metals Company, which aims to mine polymetallic nodules in the Clarion Clipperton Zon, started debates within the scientific community. Independent researchers and mining companies voiced their scepticism and critiques . However, the study also highlighted how little we know and understand about the deep sea. Deep-Sea Mining and the Water Column , a book published earlier this year, edited by deep-sea mining consultant and former chief scientist at India’s National Institute of Oceanography Rahul Sharma, spotlights the impact of plumes and waste discharged from mining operations in the water column . In another book published in 2022, Sharma outlines the likely environmental impacts of deep-sea mining, which include the potential mortality of zooplankton species at mid-water depths. Another study published last year in Current Biology found that an estimated 88%-92% of species in the Clarion Clipperton Zone region remain undescribed. Researchers have foregrounded the impact of mining on benthic ecosystems and the stress from noise pollution caused by mining. With each new study, scientists uncover previously unknown species and complex interconnections within these ecosystems. Some ecologists worry that mining in these areas could destroy habitats before we even know what lives there, and before we understand their roles in the ecosystem or their potential benefits to humanity. “There is consensus among independent scientists that there is currently no way to avoid irreversible and permanent damage to deep-sea species and ecosystems if deep-sea mining were to go ahead,” Tsenikli said. An underwater image from Andaman, India. Credit: Debel Das via Pexels, in public domain. The decade of the ocean As the world inches towards the halfway mark of the United Nations Ocean Decade (2021-2030), those in favor of deep-sea mining explorations recall the mission of “transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable development, connecting people and our ocean”. The Ocean Decade aims to both conserve and sustainably use the oceans and marine resources. “Any scientific research is an ongoing exercise,” Sharma told Mongabay India . “The awareness about the environmental impacts of mining is increasing. So, the technologists are becoming conscious and are designing systems that minimize the environmental impact. Right now, we are testing the pre-pilot mining systems, and the emphasis is already about minimising the interaction on the seabed. India is headed in the right direction.” One of the main concerns of ecologists is the discharge of wastewater after the nodules are pumped up to the surface and sorted. “It is preferred that the wastewater be discharged as close to the seabed as possible. The discharge should be done below the oxygen minimum zone, the depth where the oxygen saturation is the lowest, to avoid impacting many mammals and benthic ecosystems,” Sharma said. Nodules being picked up by deep-sea mining machine Varaha-3. Image courtesy of NIOT, via Mongabay. A call for a moratorium is “a regressive step”, he said. “The world must decide for itself whether it needs the resources for the future. While we don’t yet have the data for what impact long-term seabed mining would have, we do have benthic impact studies and results from exploration trials. Modeling systems can be used [to] calculate the impacts of long-term commercial mining.” Meanwhile, the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition sees a pivotal shift in the recent International Seabed Authority meetings. “The ISA is no longer operating in a bubble. Heads of state, scientists, Indigenous leaders, youth are now coming to the ISA and demanding the Authority prioritises precaution and science over mining interests,” Tsenikli said. “The DSCC looks forward to Leticia Carvalho taking charge as the new Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority in January 2025, and hope to see transparency, sustainability and science become central to her reign of the institution that is responsible for the common heritage of humankind.” This article was first published on Mongabay .Florida 6, Carolina 0

Hyderabad: A total of 20,904 kg contraband drugs worth Rs 48.53 crore were destroyed in 2024 by the prohibition and excise department. As per the annual excise crime report- 2024 released by the prohibition and excise department on Saturday, December 28, the number of persons arrested for narcotics, drugs, and psychotropic substances (NDPS) offences significantly increased to 1,991 persons in 2024 as against 1,218 in 2023. In 2024, the number of NDPS cases filed rose to 1,118 as compared to 874 cases in 2023. Vehicle seizures reported a sharp increase from 298 in 2023 to 505 in 2024. However, the convictions in NDPS cases have dropped from 14 in 2023 to 6 in 2024, a 57.14 per cent dip. An enhanced seizure diversity has been seen this year, including poppy straw, alprazolam, and emerging synthetic and designer drugs. In 2024, a total of 6,331 kg of dry ganja, 736 ganja plants, and 37 kg of alprazolam and diazepam were seized, valued at Rs 12.22 crore. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s (GHMC) limits, erstwhile Khammam and Medak districts were identified as high-focus areas. A total of 11,329 litres of non-duty paid liquor worth Rs 1.35 crore was seized in 2024, with 854 cases filed, 464 persons arrested and 80 vehicles seized. This was a sharp drop from 30,508 litres seized in 2023, when 1,874 cases were filed, 1,004 persons arrested and 154 vehicles seized in 2023. Although there was a slight decrease in cases from 22,274 in 2023 to 21,916 in 2024, the number of arrests increased to 13,336 in 2024 compared to 12,703 in 2023. Authorities also seized 1,08,200 litres of illicit liquor and 5,77,969 kg of black jaggery during the year.TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Shaquil Barrett is rejoining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs signed the two-time Super Bowl champion on Saturday, while also announcing safety Jordan Whitehead was activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Carolina Panthers. Barrett spent five seasons with Tampa Bay from 2019 to 2023. He led the NFL with a franchise-record 19 1-2 sacks in his first year with the Bucs, then helped the team win its second Super Bowl title the following season. In all, Barrett started 70 games with Tampa Bay, amassing 45 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions. He was released last winter in a salary cap move, signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins in free agency, then abruptly announced his retirement on social media before the start of training camp in July. Barrett, who also won a Super Bowl during a four-season stint with the Denver Broncos, decided to unretire last month. He signed with the Bucs after clearing waivers earlier in the week. Whitehead has missed the past four games with a pectoral injury. His return comes of the heels of the Bucs placing safety Christian Izien on IR with a pectoral injury. On Saturday, the Bucs also activated rookie wide receiver Kameron Johnson from IR and elevated punter Jack Browning to the active roster from the practice squad. ___ NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Amid an explosion of capability, artificial intelligence leadership is imperativeHeavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights( MENAFN - Jordan Times) Although the title of this article may seem familiar to you from the Academy Award winning film starring Colin Firth, who portrays the late King George VI, it is actually referring to his majesty King Abdullah's speech at World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos via teleconference on January 28 2021. The King is no stranger to giving opening speeches at WEF (in both its Davos and Dead Sea editions), but this year's event coincides with two monumental Jordanian occasions: The Centennial of the Hashemite reign in Jordan, as well as the birthday of the fourth sovereign from that reign. The King's speech at the WEF was shortly followed by His Majesty issuing directives to Bishr Khassawneh's Cabinet after the Prime Minister was able to capture the Parliament's vote of Confidence. The King also gave a comprehensive interview to the Jordanian News Agency (Petra). So it Is safe to say that the media has had a handful of Royal events and speeches to analyse and write about recently. Jordan is fighting an up-hill battle on the political and economic fronts, so the King - much like King George VI at the start of World War II - delivered a powerful message of hope and optimism to his people. He gave a promise that the economic situation in Jordan is on the verge of making a rebound for the better. Not many specifics were given, yet the speech was full of good omens and positive signs. The speech also promised better management and control of the Corona pandemic, as well as the implementation of ardent efforts to stabilise and pacify tensions in the Levant, and highlighted the reports coming from world economic and financial institutions indicating that the world economy is about to“cross the curve”. The content of the King's message was not only meant to be morale-lifting, but it also underlined the new avenues Jordan must take in order to put its economic prospects on a new track. His Majesty emphasised the need for both the private and public sectors to form harmonious engagement and effective partnerships, since neither sector has what it takes to address the pending issues alone. Both sectors need each other, and must adopt the measures to ensure a successful recovery. Since unemployment and poverty are on the rise, investment should be the vehicle for fighting those twin calamities. Unemployment amongst the youth is especially high, particularly among women, therefore, SMEs should be encouraged, and there should be proper training available for the youth to become vital members of the economy. The sectors of agriculture, energy, IT, education and health should be top-priority, along with restructuring the energy and transportation sectors. As for the tourism sector, it needs to be ready to bounce back once travel becomes safe, and poses less of a threat on the public's well-being. The questions that need to be addressed are: Can the current private sector institutions rise up to the challenges they face? And will the current government, which does not respect the private sector in its current composition, convince the latter to work together? And finally, what can be done to avert returning to the days of hands-on economic controls, restrictions and even displacement? These questions, which loom overhead, need to be resolved and answered immediately. MENAFN30112024000028011005ID1108942272 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Prosecutors allege that South Korea's suspended president told the military to use guns while attempting to remove lawmakers from parliament while they were voting down his martial law decree. On 3 December, Yoon Suk Yeol authorised soldiers to "break down the doors and drag them [politicians] out, even if it means firing the guns", according to an indictment as part of impeachment proceedings against him. The orders are said to have been given to a general charged with blockading the National Assembly during Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law - which was voted down by MPs after 190 were able to enter the building. Yoon's cabinet later rescinded his decree, and MPs have since voted to impeach him. South Korea's impeachment process means Yoon has been suspended from his duties while a constitutional court decides whether to confirm his impeachment. If it does, he will be permanently removed from office. His decision to declare military rule - which he claimed at the time was to counter "anti-state forces" in parliament - has been seen by some as an attempt to break a political stalemate since the opposition won a landslide in April. After his late-night speech announcing the decree, opposition MPs and protesters converged on the National Assembly, but were met by police and military personnel barricading the building. When MPs were able to force entry , prosecutors say Yoon told the chief of the capital defence command, Lee Jin-woo, that military forces could shoot if necessary to enter the National Assembly. "Tell (your troops) to go to the voting chamber, four for each (lawmaker) and carry them out," Yoon is alleged to have told Gen Lee. "What are you doing? Break down the doors and drag them out." After MPs voted to lift martial law, Yoon told General Lee to "keep going" as he could declare martial law multiple times, the indictment says. Prosecutors say the indictment draws evidence from former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun, who was also indicted on Friday for allegedly telling Gen Lee to follow Yoon's orders multiple times on 3 December. He also allegedly ordered commanders to seize the National Elections Commission building and arrest its employees, using cable ties, eye masks, ropes, baseball bats and hammers which had been prepared by the military. Kim will stay in detention while awaiting his trial, the investigators said in a press release. The martial law decree has plunged South Korea into a weeks-long political turmoil. Opposition politicians immediately called Yoon's declaration illegal and unconstitutional. The leader of his own party - the conservative People's Power Party - also called Yoon's act "the wrong move". The former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun was also indicted on Friday, according to the Special Investigation HQ, installed at the country's prosecution service. The same day, the National Assembly also voted to impeach its acting president, Han Duck-soo. Han was supposed to lead the country out of its political instability, but opposition MPs argued that he was refusing demands to complete Yoon's impeachment process. He has agreed to step aside, which means the country's finance minister, Choi Sang-mok, will become acting president. Thousands of protesters have held rival rallies in South Korea, with some demanding Yoon's arrest. Attending a protest in Seoul on Saturday, Kwon Jung-hee told the BBC Han's impeachment felt like "one small mountain" had been climbed. "But there are still too many mountains to climb, so I can't just stay at home - I've come out with the mindset of protecting the country," she said. The political uncertainty has also caused the economy suffer. The currency has plunged to its lowest level against the dollar since the global financial crisis 16 years ago.