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Fears of AI-generated misinformation ran rife ahead of this historic election year. With more than half of the global population expected to head to the polls, including voters in the U.S., U.K., India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, media outlets and experts warned deepfakes, fake audios, and other AI-manipulated content might deceive and sway voters. Many expected an "AI armageddon." But this did not materialize. AI misinformation proved far less widespread than expected, making up less than one percent of fact-checked content on Meta platforms and just 1.35 percent of Logically Facts' total of 1,695 fact-checks. As the election year ends, Logically Facts assesses the pertinent question: how did AI influence voters worldwide, if at all? AI amplified existing partisan sentiment in the U.S. In the lead-up to the U.S. presidential election, AI-generated images were prevalent, with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in particular targeted by fabricated visuals. Notable examples included AI-manipulated photos depicting Harris alongside controversial figures like Jeffrey Epstein and Diddy and AI-generated claims alleging Harris's history as a sex worker . Though some posts leaned towards satire or dark humor rather than attempting to deceive, they reflected the underlying misogyny Harris was subjected to throughout the campaign. Screenshots showcasing AI-generated images targeting Kamala Harris. (Source: X/ Modified by Logically Facts) As such, AI tools were used less for outright misinformation and more as a means to ridicule and amplify partisan sentiment, entrenching already existing beliefs. "AI makes it easier to create these illustrations, but I don't see it as a game changer, and it won't sway voters," Dr. Sacha Altay, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Zurich's Digital Democracy Lab, told Logically Facts. "I've seen much more AI slop, AI jokes, AI art, and AI porn than genuine AI-driven election misinformation," Altay continued. "Many of these are problematic, especially the non-consensual porn, but most are ultimately harmless." These AI-generated images were often shared by accounts known for regularly spreading misinformation, signaling that rather than intending to sway committed voters, these depictions of Harris largely reinforced already existing biases. Why do some people fall for these often poorly executed visuals? "The biggest stumbling block for people is their own biases and emotions," Alex Mahadevan, director of MediaWise, a digital media literacy initiative, told Logically Facts. "It's easy to fall for poorly made AI images if you're angry or vindicated." Fake celebrity endorsements emerged as another prolific strain of AI-generated misinformation during the run-up to the election. One example was amplified by Donald Trump, who reposted a series of AI-generated images portraying Taylor Swift fans wearing "Swifties for Trump" t-shirts. However, a month later, Taylor Swift publicly endorsed Kamala Harris. According to a YouGov poll , 53 percent of surveyed Americans believed Swift's endorsement of Harris could help her campaign. While measuring the electoral impact of individual AI-generated media or narratives is difficult, polls during the Harris-Trump race showed no significant shifts or sudden drops in support for either candidate, suggesting limited influence. Screenshot of Donald Trump's post amplifying fake Taylor Swift endorsement. (Source: TruthSocial/ Modified by Logically Facts) Deepfakes, the cause of most AI-related concerns leading up to the election year, proved less prevalent than expected. The most high-profile deepfake was Joe Biden's " robocalls " in February 2024, aimed at dissuading voters from participating in the New Hampshire Democratic primary. This was quickly debunked. Speculation about an "October surprise" involving a convincing deepfake circulated in the media , but these fears did not materialize. Although meager, AI misinformation wasn't just domestic—evidence also points to some foreign interference. Logically Facts debunked an AI-manipulated video of a supposed former aide to Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, falsely alleging government plans to rig the election for Kamala Harris. The video was traced to a group linked to former Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Meanwhile, the U.S. government seized 32 internet domains used in Russian government-directed influence campaigns, which relied on AI-generated content, influencers, and advertisements to undermine Harris' campaign and boost Donald Trump. In an election security update 45 days before the election, the U.S. government stated that Russia had produced the most AI content related to the presidential race among foreign actors. Some social media companies took proactive steps to limit the spread of deepfakes, with Meta among them. In the month leading up to election day, Meta blocked 590,000 attempts to use its Imagine AI generator for deepfakes targeting figures such as Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, and Joe Biden. OpenAI also said it had disrupted 20 influence operations and deceptive networks that attempted to use its models globally since the beginning of the year. European and U.K. elections saw little meaningful AI misinformation In Europe, the EU vigorously prepared for June's European Parliament elections, anticipating an "AI armageddon." Yet again, the actual impact of AI misinformation was minimal—a Centre for Emerging Technology and Security (CETaS) report identified just 11 viral cases in the EP and French elections combined. In August 2024, two months after the election, the European Union's AI Act—the first comprehensive legal framework for artificial intelligence—officially took effect. Emmie Hine, a Research Associate at the Yale Digital Ethics Center, told Logically Facts that this legislation may have incentivized platforms to take rapid action on AI misinformation. "While the AI Act didn't explicitly prohibit the use of AI in elections, it emphasized the responsibility of platforms to combat election-related misinformation and disinformation," Hines said. Similarly, the July 4 general election in the United Kingdom demonstrated a limited influence of AI-driven misinformation. Traditional forms of misinformation, such as spreading unsubstantiated rumors or fabricating fake articles , dominated instead. According to the same report by CETaS, only 16 confirmed instances of AI-generated disinformation or deepfakes went viral during the election period. Logically Facts debunked nine false claims throughout the campaign, with just three involving verifiable AI-generated content, focusing on key voter issues like immigration and religious tensions . Similarly to AI-generated misinformation in the U.S., AI was used to visually communicate the sentiment of some voters across the U.K., not necessarily to mislead others. A screenshot of an AI-generated image showing Muslims praying by the U.K. Prime Minister's office. The emphasis is placed on expressing criticism rather than ensuring photorealistic accuracy. (Source: X/ Modified by Logically Facts) Indian enforcement authorities fail to take action on electoral AI India's seven-phase general election, running from April 19 to June 1, saw the country of 1.4 billion people with 820 million active internet users go to the polls - with concerns about AI disinformation impacting the elections running rife. During the campaign, AI was used in many ways, including real-time translations , AI-powered hyper-personalized avatars , and speeches by deceased leaders . However, in a report by the Washington Post from April 2024, Divendra Singh Jadoun, a prominent AI deepfake creator in the country, has said that more than half of the requests he received by political parties for AI content were "unethical". This included fake audios of opponents making gaffes on the campaign trail, pornographic images of opponents, and some campaigns requesting low-quality fake videos of their own candidates to cast doubts on real videos of these candidates with negative consequences. Examples of AI deepfake videos during the Indian elections of popular actors and news anchors supporting a particular party or announcing false results. (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts) This maelstrom operated with little to no intervention from the Election Commission of India (ECI), the autonomous constitutional authority that monitors and conducts elections. The ECI sent a letter to political parties warning against the use of misleading AI content and urging parties to take posts down within three hours if they are found to be AI. However, the body failed to bring in any specific regulations against misleading deepfakes. A report by an Indian digital rights body, the Internet Freedom Foundation, noted that action against political actors for violating the electoral code of conduct was "delayed and inadequate." The Delhi High Court has also expressed its concerns about AI this year while hearing two public interest cases about the non-regulation of AI. In October 2024, the court observed that with India's population, it will face problems with AI in the absence of legislation or regulation. It has since asked the central government to create a panel to examine the regulation of deepfakes. Prateek Waghre , a tech policy researcher, says that AI is "another layer" to an already "extremely problematic information ecosystem" in the country that will only be exacerbated with time. According to him, enacting new laws when existing systems are already weak and subject to misuse by political powers is not the way forward. "Where legislation has come in, anti-disinformation and anti-fake news legislation, they have often been used to target political opponents or dissidents or activists or journalists," Waghre told Logically Facts. He points to an example from the recently concluded Maharashtra state elections in November 2024, where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party shared a fake AI audio of political opponent Supriya Sule discussing misusing funds from a cryptocurrency fraud to influence the state elections. This went viral before being debunked, but the ECI has taken no action as of December 9. The South Asian situation: How elections went for India's neighbors Pakistan and Bangladesh both saw general elections this year amid a volatile political climate - Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested in August 2023, engendering widespread protests, while Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted after violent protests in August of this year. In the case of these two countries, local fact-checkers told Logically Facts that AI disinformation, while not a major issue, was used for negative campaigning purposes. Sameen Aziz , a senior fact-checker and producer at Soch Media, Pakistan's only IFCN signatory, told Logically Facts that the major narratives centered on deepfakes attributed to political representatives, especially calling for election boycotts just before voting. The biggest challenge with these videos was their rapid dissemination and the lack of tools to combat them. Screenshots of viral AI-generated claims from the Pakistan elections of PTI leaders, Basharat Raja (left) and Imran Khan (right), announcing election boycotts. (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts) Screenshots of viral AI-generated claims from the Pakistan elections of PTI leaders, Basharat Raja (left) and Imran Khan (right), announcing election boycotts. (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts) "Detecting altered audio required specialized tools and expertise that were not always readily accessible; the same thing also happened with deepfakes," Aziz said. "Fact-checkers also encountered resistance from partisans who dismissed corrections as biased." The lack of reliable technology also presented issues in Bangladesh, according to Sajjad Chowdhury , the Operations Lead and Senior fact-checker at RumorScanner. "One of the most significant challenges involved the claims of leaked phone records of political and administrative figures," Chowdhury told Logically Facts. "Due to the absence of reliable technology for audio detection, verifying these claims was not possible." Aziz is also concerned that amended legislation aiming to combat online misinformation could limit individual freedoms if misused by the government. "Balancing regulation with freedom of expression will be critical in navigating this complex issue," she said. AI misinformation: an ever-present threat Ultimately, the disinformation apocalypse with an AI harbinger did not come to pass in 2024's general elections. Traditional methods of disinformation were still preferred by most actors and made up the mass of disinformation on platforms. However, AI disinformation remains a threat in countries without the framework in place to protect the common voter from manipulation. While regulation and education could enhance information quality on social media, Altay emphasizes that "the problem lies more with the actors than the technology." AI is simply another tool to illustrate existing misconceptions, not the source of misinformation—although Mahadevan worries this could change as technology advances. "I am worried that this tech will allow bad actors to target individuals more precisely with AI-generated content tailored to their hopes and fears," he said. Altay, however, has higher hopes. "Instead of focusing exclusively on the potential negative effects of AI, I think we should find ways to use AI to promote the quality and diversity of public discourse," he told Logically Facts. This report first appeared on logicallyfacts.com , and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.Woman removed from county building following disturbanceInside the bitter fight to become Donald Trump’s Treasury secretary
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HONOLULU (AP) — KyeRon Lindsay and Terence Harcum each scored 16 points as Murray State beat Loyola Chicago 71-68 on Wednesday for seventh place at the Diamond Head Classic. Lindsay also had five rebounds and four steals for the Racers (7-6). Harcum went 5 of 10 from the floor, including 2 for 6 from 3-point range, and 4 for 6 from the line. AJ Ferguson shot 4 of 8 from the field and 2 for 4 from the line to finish with 11 points. The Ramblers (9-4) were led by Miles Rubin, who posted 16 points and three blocks. Des Watson added 12 points and Sheldon Edwards had 10 points. Lindsay scored eight points in the first half and Murray State went into halftime trailing 36-34. Harcum led the way with 10 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Rodgers Silicon Valley Acquisition Corp. ( OTCMKTS:RSVAU – Get Free Report ) dropped 5.3% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $24.18 and last traded at $24.22. Approximately 17,000 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 75% from the average daily volume of 67,461 shares. The stock had previously closed at $25.58. Rodgers Silicon Valley Acquisition Trading Down 5.3 % The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $24.22 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $24.22. Rodgers Silicon Valley Acquisition Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Rodgers Silicon Valley Acquisition Corp. intends to enter into a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The company was founded in 2020 and is based in Woodside, California. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Rodgers Silicon Valley Acquisition Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rodgers Silicon Valley Acquisition and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .That was in December 1998, the year that several hundred paramilitary prisoners started being released under the terms of the agreement, which had been agreed on Good Friday just eight months earlier. “There was already a huge reaction in society to the prison release programme,” noted Northern Ireland Office minister Adam Ingram when he met the group Projex 2000, which was lobbying on behalf of ex-prisoners. Those at the meeting included former IRA prisoner Tommy Gorman and UDA representative John White, a close associate of Johnny “Mad Dog” Adair. The group also included Paul Mageean of the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ), Brendan Mackin of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and businessman Ken Cleland. Their general argument was that “prisoners’ groups do not see anything tangible coming from the Good Friday Agreement”. Mr Ingram said that, on prisoners, the British government “had taken a lot of risks with no payback”. “There were legitimate concerns that ex-prisoners could end up, for instance, teaching the children of their victims. In addition national security concerns would continue to be an issue even in a normalised society,” he said. Mr Ingram also said that “every ex-prisoner does not become a good guy so we have to move cautiously”. Mr Mageean of the CAJ intervened to say that Mr Ingram appeared to be working on the assumption that “every ex-prisoner was not a good guy”. Mr Mageean said it was ironic that the British government “had signed up to the release of several hundred prisoners but yet would not allow them to get a job in somewhere like a passport office”. He believed that ministers could use discretion in employing former prisoners. Mr Ingram responded that “a sizeable part of the Northern Ireland community are not signed up to the agreement” and that “we have to move very carefully, there is a much wider issue here”. The Minister said he remained to be convinced that “specific provision” was necessary for former paramilitary prisoners. He added that it was not a “simple step to change procedures and mindsets overnight” and that there “were still dissident groups out there doing their own thing”. Mr Cleland called for a partnership between Projex 2000, the private sector and the British government. As an afterthought he said that it was ironic that someone like the then Progressive Unionist Party leader and former UVF prisoner, the late David Ervine “may end up as a Minister in the new Assembly yet would be unable to employ civil service staff who were politically motivated ex-prisoners”. Gerry Moriarty is the former Northern editor of The Irish Times
Kendall Jenner shares glimpse into festive Christmas eve party Kendall Jenner shows off stunning Christmas party look Kendall Jenner got into festive spirit as she shared an insight into her Christmas party. The 29-year-old model took to Instagram on Saturday, December 28th and showed off her holiday look. Kendall donned a bold black sequined frock with sheer black stockings and red heels. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star painted her lips red and styled her short hair in a Mary Tyler Moore 1960s style. Kendall was seen sitting in a chair ahead of a fireplace with stockings and a decorated Christmas tree behind her. “Put me in your pocket,” she wrote in the caption. The second picture showed her in a different pose as she held a glass of red wine. This comes after Kendall previously shared some snaps from the photo booth at this year’s annual Kardashian-Jenner family Christmas Eve party. This year’s family Christmas party was hosted by the supermodel at her home in Beverly Hills. Squid Game set to wrap up finale with more untold mysteries Blake Lively fires back at Justin Baldoni’s counter lawsuit threat James Gunn firmly tackles fans outcry on renewal of 'Batman 2' release date ‘Harry Potter’ star Emma Watson makes rare appearance during holidaysWhy Autodesk (ADSK) Shares Are Sliding Today
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Justin Jefferson might be weary of all the safeties shadowing his every route, determined not to let the Minnesota Vikings go deep, but he's hardly angry. The double and triple coverage he continually faces, after all, is a sign of immense respect for his game-breaking ability. The strategy also simply makes sense. “I would do the same," Jefferson said. "It’s either let everybody else go off or let Justin go off. I’m going to let everybody else go off. That would be my game plan.” When the Vikings visit Chicago on Sunday, they're expecting the usual heavy dose of split-safety coverage designed to put a lid on the passing attack and force them to operate primarily underneath. “We see that every week: Teams just have different tendencies on film, and then when we go out on the field they play us totally different,” Jefferson said, later adding: “I don’t really feel like anyone else is getting played how I’m getting played.” Jefferson nonetheless is second in the NFL in receiving yards (912) behind Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase, his former college teammate at LSU. Last week, Jefferson set yet another all-time record by passing Torry Holt for the most receiving yards over the first five seasons of a career. Holt logged 80 regular-season games and accumulated 6,784 yards for St. Louis. Jefferson has 6,811 yards — in just 70 games. “I want to go up against those single coverages. I want to go have my opportunities to catch a deep pass downfield, just one-on-one coverage, like a lot of these other receivers get," Jefferson said. "It’s definitely difficult going up against an extra person or an extra two people, but it is what it is and the concepts that we’re drawing up and the ways that we’re trying to get me open, it definitely helps.” With fellow tight end Josh Oliver ruled out of the game on Sunday because of a sprained ankle, T.J. Hockenson is certain to have his heaviest workload since returning from knee surgery four weeks ago. He's also certain that Jefferson will continue to see persistent double-teams. “It puts it on us to make some plays and do some things to get them out of that,” Hockenson said. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell has been forced to dig deeper into the vault of play designs and game plans to help keep quarterback Sam Darnold and the offense on track. O'Connell said after Minnesota's 12-7 win at Jacksonville, when Darnold threw three interceptions to precipitate a safer strategy down the stretch, that he superseded his play-calling role with the wisdom of a head coach to help win that game. "Not just the egomaniac of wanting to score points and constantly show everybody how smart we are. There was a mode that I think you have to go into sometimes to ensure a victory,” O'Connell said on his weekly show on KFAN radio. Taking what the defense gives is usually the shrewdest strategy. “You’ve got to really implement some new things and some things that maybe you didn’t come across during your early coaching years whether as a coordinator or position coach or even when you’re responsible for a small area of the game plan as a younger coach," O'Connell said. "You really have to kind of look outside the lens of always what you see on tape.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLJaylen Brown scores 29 points before Celtics beat Timberwolves 107-105 with late defensive standDarnold gives Vikings another gem with career-high 377 yards in 27-25 win over Packers MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Sam Darnold added another exploit to his career-altering season, passing for a personal-best 377 yards and three touchdowns as the Minnesota Vikings hung on to beat the Green Bay Packers 27-25 for their ninth consecutive victory. The Vikings are 14-2. They set up a final-week showdown in Detroit for both the division title and the No. 1 seed for the playoffs in the NFC. Jordan Love’s only touchdown pass for the Packers came with 2:18 left to pull the Packers within two points. Darnold responded with two completions for first downs to seal the game. Saquon Barkley tops 2,000 yards rushing and moves within 100 of Dickerson's record PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley became the ninth running back in NFL history to top 2,000 yards rushing in a season, reaching the milestone with a 23-yard run in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys. That rush gave Barkley 2,005 yards with one game left and left him exactly 100 yards from Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105, set in 1984 for the Los Angeles Rams. Barkley could potentially top the record in next week’s finale against the New York Giants. However, that game will be mostly meaningless for the Eagles, who could opt to rest Barkley to protect him from injury ahead of the playoffs. Moment of silence for former President Jimmy Carter held before the Falcons-Commanders game LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — A moment of silence was held for former President Jimmy Carter before the Atlanta Falcons' game at the Washington Commanders. The Georgia native served as the 39th president of the United States at the White House less than 10 miles away from 1977-81. Falcons owner Arthur Blank in a statement called Carter an inspirational global humanitarian. Carter died earlier Sunday at the age of 100 in Plains, Georgia. He also has a connection to the NFL as the first president to host the Super Bowl champions at the White House when he welcomed the Pittsburgh Steelers there in 1980. NFC's No. 1 seed comes down to Vikings-Lions showdown at Detroit in Week 18 The NFC’s No. 1 seed will come down to the final week when the Detroit Lions host the Minnesota Vikings. The winner takes the NFC North and gets a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage until the Super Bowl. The loser gets the No. 5 seed and must play on the road in the wild-card round. The Vikings held on for a 27-25 victory over the Green Bay Packers to set up the high-stakes showdown in Week 18. The Lions visit the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. Win, lose or tie, they have to beat the Vikings for a second time this season. Herro leads Heat over Rockets in game marred by fight and ejections in final minute HOUSTON (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 27 points before being one of six people ejected after a fight in the final minute of the Miami Heat’s 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night. Herro was thrown to the ground by the Rockets’ Amen Thompson with 35 seconds left and the Heat leading 99-94. Players and coaches from both benches then came onto the court. Both players were thrown out along with Rockets guard Jalen Green, coach Ime Udoka and assistant coach Ben Sullivan. Terry Rozier was also ejected for Miami. Bills clinch the AFC's No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the undisciplined Jets ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and the Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the New York Jets. The Bills put the game away by capitalizing on two Jets turnovers and scoring three touchdowns over a 5:01 span in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Buffalo’s defense forced three takeaways overall and sacked Aaron Rodgers four times, including a 2-yard loss for a safety in the second quarter. The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills improved to 13-3 to match a franchise single-season record. Saquon Barkley tops 2,000 yards rushing as Eagles beat Cowboys 41-7 to clinch NFC East PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley rushed for 167 yards to top 2,000 on the season, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett ran and threw for scores before departing with injured ribs, and the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East title by routing the Dallas Cowboys 41-7. Barkley has 2,005 yards and needs 101 in next week’s mostly meaningless regular-season finale to top Eric Dickerson and his 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. The Eagles led 24-7 in the third quarter when Pickett was drilled by defensive end Micah Parsons, ending his first start in place of the concussed Jalen Hurts. Penn State coach James Franklin says Nick Saban should be college football's commissioner SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Penn State coach James Franklin believes college football needs a commissioner and he even has a candidate in mind: former Alabama coach Nick Saban. Franklin made the suggestion Sunday at Penn State’s College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day ahead of the Fiesta Bowl. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions are preparing for their game against No. 3 seed Boise State on Tuesday. The veteran coach was responding to a question about Penn State’s backup quarterback situation after Beau Pribula transferred to Missouri before the playoff. Pribula’s decision highlighted some of the frustrating aspects of a new college football world in the Name, Image and Likeness era and the transfer portal, forcing players to make tough decisions at inopportune times. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Rising Sun Devils: Arizona State looks to pull off another big surprise at the Peach Bowl ATLANTA (AP) — As they prepare for Arizona State’s biggest game in nearly three decades, the guys who made it happen aren’t the least bit surprised to be rated a nearly two-touchdown underdog in the College Football Playoff. That’s a familiar position for the Sun Devils. They've been an underdog most of the season. Of the eight teams still vying for a national championship, there’s no bigger surprise than 11-2 Arizona State. The Sun Devils went 3-9 a year ago and were picked to finish dead last in their first season in the Big 12 Conference. Now, they're getting ready to face Texas in the Peach Bowl quarterfinal game on New Year’s Day.
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Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title with the Atlanta Braves, dies at 85Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House and spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian. The King and the Prime Minister have paid tribute to Jimmy Carter following the former US president’s death on Sunday aged 100. In a message to the American people, the King expressed “great sadness” at the news of Mr Carter’s death, describing him as “a committed public servant” who “devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights”. He 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.” Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House between 1977 and 1981 and spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Carter had “lived his values in the service of others to the very end” through “decades of selfless public service”. Praising a “lifelong dedication to peace” that saw him win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Sir Keir added: “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad.” Tributes to Mr Carter followed the announcement of his death by his family on Sunday, more than a year after he decided to enter hospice care. His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.” US President Joe Biden, one of the first elected politicians to endorse Mr Carter’s bid for the presidency in 1976, said the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”. He said: “Over six decades, we had the honour of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. “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.” Other UK politicians also paid tribute to Mr Carter. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he was “an inspiration” who “led a truly remarkable life dedicated to public service with a genuine care for people”. Scottish First Minister John Swinney described the former president as “a good, decent, honest man who strove for peace in all that he did”, while Welsh First Minister said he was “a remarkable man” and “a humanitarian and scholar”. Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said Mr Carter’s “life was a testament to public service”. He added: “I always had the greatest respect for him, his spirit and his dedication. He fundamentally cared and consistently toiled to help those in need.” Mr Carter is expected to receive a state funeral featuring public observances in Atlanta, Georgia, and Washington DC before being buried in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. A moderate democrat born in Plains in October 1924, Mr Carter’s political career took him from the Georgia state senate to the state governorship and, finally, the White House, where he took office as 39th president in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. His presidency saw economic disruption amid volatile oil prices, along with social tensions at home and challenges abroad including the Iranian revolution that sparked a 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. But he also brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which led to a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. After his defeat in the 1980 presidential election, he worked more than four decades leading The Carter Centre, which he and his late wife Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope”. Under his leadership, the Carter Center virtually eliminated Guinea Worm disease, which has gone from affecting 3.5 million people in Africa and Asia in 1986 to just 14 in 2023. Mrs Carter, who died last year aged 96, had played a more active role in her husband’s presidency than previous first ladies, with Mr Carter saying she had been “my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished”. Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, expressing admiration for his life of public service
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