Hello. Former US President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. World leaders are paying tribute to the one-term president who won a Nobel Peace Prize after leaving the White House. From South Korea, my colleagues report on what we know about a plane crash that killed 179 people. As Vladimir Putin marks 25 years in power, Steve Rosenberg reflects on his record as Russian president. And finally, we round up the most inspirational science stories of the year.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

The peanut farmer who became president

James Earl Carter Jr was born on 1 October 1924 in the town of Plains, Georgia, the eldest of four children. Credit: The Carter Center

When Jimmy Carter first ran for the highest office in the US, polls suggested he was only supported by around 4% of his own party voters. He would end up defeating incumbent President Gerald Ford, a Republican. The former submarine officer, turned peanut farmer, turned politician, lasted only one term in the White House. He continued some of the work he pursued as president, focusing on the environment and human rights, for which he was recognised with a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He had been treated for cancer and had spent the last 19 months in hospice care. 

• The centenarian: The longest-lived president in US history, Carter celebrated his 100th birthday in October. Take a look at his life in pictures.

• Foreign policy: The presidencies of Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden are separated by more than 40 years, but they faced similar challenges on the world stage, writes North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.

• Tributes pour in: Biden describes Carter as "a man of principle, faith and humility," while President-elect Donald Trump says Americans owe Carter a "debt of gratitude". Get the latest.

Anguish after South Korea plane disaster

A Boeing 737-800 flight operated by Jeju Air crash-landed at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Sunday, killing 179 of the 181 people on board. Here's what we know so far. Relatives of the victims camped overnight at the airport, waiting on the release of their loved ones' remains. They are calling for more support, expressing frustration at the lack of timely updates. An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. 

WORLD HEADLINES

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

A quarter of a century in charge of Russia

Boris Yeltsin was not due to leave office for another year, but in December 1999 he unexpectedly resigned. Credit: Getty Images

On New Year's Eve 1999, Russia's first freely elected President Boris Yeltsin took the country by surprise by announcing his resignation. He handed over power to his recently appointed prime minister, Vladimir Putin. As Putin marks 25 years as president, Russia editor Steve Rosenberg reflects on whether he fulfilled Yeltsin's request to "take care" of the country.

And finally...

A total solar eclipse seen by millions, a lost jungle city discovered by accident and hope for the almost extinct northern white rhino - climate and science reporter Tim Dodd looks at seven of the most exciting science stories of the year.