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David Cameron has said his predecessor Sir Winston Church's legacy continues to inspire the "entire world" as Britain prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of his funeral.

"Half a century after his death, Winston Churchill's legacy continues to inspire not only the nation whose liberty he saved, but the entire world," Mr Cameron said.

"His words and his actions reverberate through our national life today."

"2015 is a year to remember Winston Churchill's extraordinary life of achievement, to admire and to celebrate it anew and to give thanks for his service not only to the country he loved, but to humanity as a whole."

Events will be held today to mark the 50th anniversary of the funeral of former wartime prime minister Sir Winston Churchill.

A remembrance service at the Houses of Parliament will be attended by David Cameron, who has said Churchill's legacy "continues to inspire the nation".

A wreath will be laid at the statue of Churchill in the Members' Lobby.

Members of Churchill's family will later take part in a flotilla on the River Thames along the same route taken by his funeral.

A ceremony at Westminster Abbey will also be held in the evening.

Britons are preparing for fresh disruption today as more snow and ice hits the country.

Forecasters have warned that ice poses a major hazard today, with the threat of more snow storms still looming.

Helen Roberts, a forecaster at the Met Office, said she is expecting transport problems with ice the "main hazard".

The Highways Agency said its gritters will be out overnight to prepare against icy roads.

It comes after "thundersnow" storms hit Britain yesterday, forcing schools to close and suspending flights at Manchester and East Midlands Airports.

Japan is still gathering intelligence in cooperation with the Jordanian authorities in an effort to free journalist Kenji Goto, the country's prime minister said.

Shinzo Abe said every effort was being made to secure Goto's release.

The comments come after a deadline set by Islamic State militants for the release of an Iraqi prisoner passed.

A message released online yesterday claimed a Jordanian air pilot would be killed unless prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi was released by sunset.

At least 27 people have been killed in deadly terror attacks by Islamist militants in Egypt's Sinai peninsula.

A number of soldiers were killed when a series of car bombs and mortar strikes hit a military headquarters in the North Sinai capital El-Arish late on Thursday.

The nearby town of Sheik Zuwayid and the town of Rafah, bordering Gaza, were also targeted.

Militant group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, which pledged allegiance to Islamic State last year, claimed responsibility for the atrocities on its Twitter feed.

It was 50 years ago tonight that Sir Winston's body was lying in state at Parliament's Westminster Hall - ahead of the biggest State Funeral the world had ever seen.

The following morning, half the population of Britain - 25 million people - stopped what they were doing and watched on television.

The TV coverage, like the funeral itself, had been a long time in the planning.

ITV News Royal Editor Tim Ewart reports: