United States President Joe Biden has declared January 9, 2025 as a national day of mourning for Jimmy Carter.

Carter, the 39th US president, died on Sunday at 100. He was the first ex-US president to become a centenarian.

Biden described Carter as an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.

“With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us,” Biden said in a statement following Carter’s death.

“He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.

“He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together,” he added, referencing Carter’s wife of 77 years who died in November 2023.

Biden ordered that flags be displayed at half-staff at the White House, all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels for a period of 30 days from Carter’s death.

The president said similar arrangements applied to US representatives in foreign countries at embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad.

“I do further appoint January 9, 2025, as a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States,” Biden added.

The president urged Americans and people around the world who share in the grief to honour Carter’s memory on the said day.

Flights have been cancelled and delayed at UK’s busiest airports due to heavy fog.

Flights at Stansted Airport were reportedly affected by the weather conditions on Saturday and Sunday. There were also delays at Heathrow, Luton and Manchester Airports.

A spokesperson at Nats, the UK’s main air traffic control provider, said temporary air restrictions will continue on Sunday as fog envelopes airfields.

“Temporary air traffic restrictions are therefore in place at airfields with low visibility to maintain safety.

“Our teams are working closely with the airports and airlines to minimise disruption but passengers should check the status of their flight with their airline.”

The UK Meteorological Office has issued warnings effective Monday and Tuesday — with up to 140mm of rain, 20cm of snow and 60mph winds possible in the worst-affected areas during the run-up to New Year’s Eve.

Thousands of passengers arriving at London Gatwick Airport overnight reportedly experienced long delays.

An easyJet flight from Enfidha in Tunisia due at 11.10pm was over four hours late, and a British Airways jet from Lanzarote touched down at 3.03am, almost four hours behind schedule.

A Gatwick spokesperson said “temporary air traffic restrictions have been put in place due to fog causing poor visibility”.

The airport apologised for any inconvenience, adding that delays could last all day.

Manchester Airport reportedly had 22 cancellations, including six departures and arrivals.

Jimmy Carter, a former president of the United States, is dead.

The Democrat, who served as president from 1977 to 1981, passed on aged 100.

The Carter Centre said the 39th president of the US died on Sunday afternoon at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Carter became the first ex-US president to reach 100 years on October 1, 2024.

He lost his re-election bid to Ronald Reagan in 1981 and left the White House with low approval ratings amid an economic turmoil.

He would go on to immerse himself in humanitarian work which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Rosalynn, Carter’s wife of 77 years, died in November 2023.

“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights and unselfish love,” Chip Carter, his son, said in a statement after his passing.

“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.”