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US President Joe Biden says the world has lost a “remarkable leader” and a “man for all time” after the death of Jimmy Carter.

Mr Carter, who was US president between 1977 and 1981, died at his home in Georgia while surrounded by his family on Sunday afternoon.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was aged 100.

Read more: ‘Jimmy who?’ The US president 1970s America really needed

FILE - Sen. Joe Biden and former President Jimmy Carter are seen at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Aug. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
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File pic: AP

Making a televised address from his family holiday in the US Virgin Islands, Mr Biden said his predecessor represented “the most fundamental human values we can never let slip away”.

“Jimmy Carter stands as a model for it means to live a life of meaning and purpose,” he said.

“I see a man not only not our times, but for all time. We could all do well to be a little more like Jimmy Carter.”

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Asked if there were any lessons president-elect Donald Trump could learn from Mr Carter, Mr Biden answered: “Decency, decency, decency”.

It was revealed in February last year that Mr Carter was receiving hospice care and would “spend his remaining time at home with his family”.

He had decided against “additional medical intervention” following a series of brief hospital stays.

Jimmy Carter as Georgia's 76th governor.
Pic: Jimmy Carter Library
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Jimmy Carter as Georgia’s 76th governor.
Pic: Jimmy Carter Library

The Carter Center says there will be opportunities for the public to pay their respects in Atlanta, Georgia, and Washington DC before a private interment in his hometown Plains, while final arrangements for his state funeral are still being made.

Mr Biden says his team is “working to see to it that he is remembered appropriately.”

The White House has declared 9 January a national day of mourning.

Among those who have paid tribute to Mr Carter are:

US president-elect Donald Trump

The incoming US president Donald Trump, who takes office on 20 January, said: “The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country, and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans.

“For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.”

Former US president Barack Obama

Fellow Democrat Barack Obama honoured Mr Carter’s achievements in the White House, including “the Camp David Accords he brokered that reshaped the Middle East… nominating a pioneering women’s rights activist and lawyer named Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the federal bench… [and] becoming one of the first leaders in the world to recognise the problem of climate change”.

He also paid tribute to the “longest, and most impactful, post-presidency in American history”, during which he monitored more than 100 national elections, helped virtually eliminate Guinea worm disease, and built or repaired thousands of homes around the world with his wife Rosalynn as part of Habitat for Humanity.

The 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington ** STORY AVAILABLE, CONTACT SUPPLIER** Featuring: Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter Where: Washington, District of Columbia, United States When: 28 Aug 2013 Credit: Michael Reynolds/Pool/startraksphoto.com  (Cover Images via AP Images)
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The Obamas have bid farewell to Jimmy Carter (second from left). Pic: AP

Former US president George W Bush

Mr Bush said his predecessor “dignified the office”.

“And his efforts to leave behind a better world didn’t end with the presidency. His work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center set an example of service that will inspire Americans for generations.”

FILE ... From left, former President George H.W. Bush, President-elect Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, former President Bill Clinton and former President Jimmy Carter, meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
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Carter gathered with fellow former presidents including George W Bush in 2009. Pic: AP

Bill and Hillary Clinton

Former president Bill Clinton, who worked with Jimmy Carter after he left the White House, and secretary Hillary Clinton said he “lived to serve others – until the very end”.

“From his commitment to civil rights as a state senator and governor of Georgia; to his efforts as president to… secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David; to his post-presidential efforts at the Carter Center supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy… he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world,” they said in a statement.

Former US vice president Al Gore

Mr Gore praised Jimmy Carter for living “a life full of purpose, commitment and kindness” and for being a “lifelong role model for the entire environmental movement”.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

In his tribute, Sir Keir said Mr Carter “redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad”.

The King

The UK’s monarch said he learned of President Carter’s death with “great sadness”, adding that he was “a committed public servant, and devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights”.

The King added: “His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977.

“My thoughts and prayers are with President Carter’s family and the American people at this time.”

Former UK prime minister Gordon Brown

Mr Brown said he was “so sad” to hear of the death of his “good friend”.

The former UK leader said Mr Carter would be “rightly remembered as a statesman of unimpeachable integrity, who was admired around the world for his lifelong charitable work, his unwavering support for human rights and for his wonderful generosity of spirit”.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter wear traditional Ghanaian attire, a gift from the chief of Tingoli village in northern Ghana, during a field trip to assess Carter Center disease prevention work in Africa in February 2007. Pic: The Carter Center
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Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were given traditional Ghanaian attire as a gift from the chief of Tingoli village in northern Ghana, during a field trip to assess Carter Center disease prevention work in Africa. Pic: Carter Centre

French President Emmanuel Macron

“Throughout his life, Jimmy Carter defended the rights of the most vulnerable people and tirelessly led the fight for peace,” the French president wrote on X.

“France sends its heartfelt thoughts to his family and to the American people.”

Husam Zomlot, former Palestinian ambassador to the US

Mr Zomlot, now ambassador to the UK, said Mr Carter would be “remembered by the Palestinian people as the first US president to advocate for the freedom of Palestine and the first to warn about Israeli apartheid”.

He added: “He worked for decades to achieve a just and lasting peace in Palestine and the rest of the region.”

Chip Carter

Mr Carter’s son Chip said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights and unselfish love.

“My brothers, sister and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs.

“The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”

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Israeli PM says Gaza ceasefire ‘will be terminated’ if hostages are not returned by Hamas on Saturday

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Israeli PM says Gaza ceasefire 'will be terminated' if hostages are not returned by Hamas on Saturday

The Gaza ceasefire will end if Hamas does not return Israeli hostages by midday on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said. 

He warned of a return to “intense fighting” if the hostages are not released.

Hamas said on Monday it would postpone the scheduled release of Israeli hostages, accusing Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

Mr Netanyahu made the announcement after an “in-depth four-hour discussion in the political-security cabinet”.

He said the cabinet “all expressed outrage at the shocking situation of our three hostages who were released last Saturday”.

Mr Netanyahu said they passed a unanimous agreement: “If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon – the ceasefire will be terminated, and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated.”

Donald Trump has emboldened Israel to call for the release of remaining hostages, rather than the three scheduled to be freed in the next exchange.

Mr Netanyahu said the cabinet “welcomed” Mr Trump’s demand for hostages to be released by midday Saturday, “and we all also welcomed the president’s revolutionary vision for the future of Gaza”.

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Post-mortem results reveal injuries of British couple found dead at home in France

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Post-mortem results reveal injuries of British couple found dead at home in France

Police investigating the deaths of a British couple at their home in rural France have released details from a post-mortem examination.

Prosecutors say Dawn Searle, 56, was found at their property in Les Pesquies with “several” injuries to her head, while her husband, Andrew Searle, 62, was found hanged with no visible defensive injuries.

They are investigating whether the deaths are the result of a murder-suicide or if a third party was involved.

The pair are said to have been found dead by a German friend, who lives nearby, on Thursday after Mr Searle didn’t arrive for one of their regular dog walks.

The couple moved to the hamlet of Les Pesquies around a decade ago and married in the nearby town of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, in the south of France, in 2023.

Andrew and Dawn Searle's home
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Andrew and Dawn Searle’s home

A statement from the office of public prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller said Ms Searle was found partially dressed with a major wound to her skull next to a box with jewellery inside.

But no object or weapon was found that could’ve caused the wounds, which an autopsy carried out in Montpellier on Monday found were caused by a blunt and sharp object. There were no signs of sexual assault.

The house appeared to have been quickly searched, while some cash was found in the couple’s room.

Investigators are conducting further examinations, including toxicology and pathology tests, to help determine the precise circumstances of their deaths.

A police officer outside Andrew and Dawn Searle's home in France
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A police officer outside Andrew and Dawn Searle’s home in France

Andrew and Dawn Searle
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British couple deaths
Villefranche-de-Rouergue Aveyron
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The village of Villefranche-de-Rouergue Aveyron

They each have two children from previous relationships and Ms Searle’s son, the country musician and former Hollyoaks star Callum Kerr, said they were in mourning in a statement posted on Saturday.

Family members are understood to have travelled to France, where they have spoken with investigators.

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The mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Jean-Sebastien Orcibal, who was also a neighbour of the Searles, said villagers and the British expat community were going to be getting “psychological help” following the incident, which has left locals in shock.

Speaking to Sky News from the town hall in which he conducted the couple’s wedding ceremony, he said: “It doesn’t seem like the problem comes from here because when we knew them and saw them living here they were very happy, very friendly and didn’t seem to have any problems.

“The problem seems to come from the past or somewhere far away.

“It’s an isolated act, it’s very independent. It doesn’t say that it’s a very dangerous territory, in fact, it’s very peaceful and that’s why probably Andy and Dawn chose to live here, because it’s very peaceful.

“Now, did their past come back and get them? That’s another story. That’s totally different from where we are. It could’ve happened anywhere.”

A Foreign Office spokesperson previously said: “We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities.”

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK

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