Friends, family and colleagues of British scientist Stephen Hawking will gather Saturday to pay their respects at his private funeral in Cambridge, where he spent most of his extraordinary life.

Hawking, who died on March 14 at the age of 76, was famously an atheist but his children Lucy, Robert and Tim have chosen the town's university church, St Mary the Great, to say their farewell.

"Our father's life and work meant many things to many people, both religious and non-religious. So, the service will be both inclusive and traditional, reflecting the breadth and diversity of his life," they have said.

Tributes poured in from around the world upon Hawking's death, from Queen Elizabeth II to NASA, reflecting his huge impact as a physicist and an inspiration, in his refusal to give up in the face of physical disability.

But the service at St Mary church -- a short distance from Gonville and Caius College where Hawking worked for more than 50 years -- will only be open to those who knew him, followed by a private reception at Trinity College.

A wider audience will attend a thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey in London on June 15, where Hawking's remains will be buried near the grave of another legendary scientist, Isaac Newton.

Ahead of the funeral, Gonville and Caius College released new black and white photographs of Hawking taken in 1961 at a summer school for young astrophysicists at a castle in Sussex, southern England, when he was 19.

They showed him playing croquet and in a sailing dinghy, two years before he began experiencing the first symptoms of the motor neurone disease that would later leave him almost completely paralysed.

Fellow students contacted by the college recalled his left-wing views and his mischievous sense of humour, with one describing how he replaced the Royal Navy flag on the castle flagpole with the Communist hammer and sickle.

Hawking defied predictions that he would only live for a few years, although his rare condition -- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) -- gradually robbed him of mobility.

He was confined to a wheelchair, almost completely paralysed and unable to speak except through his trademark voice synthesiser.

But the illness did nothing to dull his mind, and Hawking became one of the world's best-known and most inspiring scientists, known for his brilliance and his wit.

His work focused on bringing together relativity -- the nature of space and time -- and quantum theory -- how the smallest particles behave -- to explain the creation of the Universe and how it is governed.

But he was also a global star -- his 1988 book "A Brief History of Time" was an unlikely worldwide bestseller, and he appeared as himself in TV shows from "The Simpsons" to "Star Trek: The Next Generation".

Born on January 8, 1942 -- 300 years to the day after the death of the father of modern science, Galileo Galilei -- Hawking died in his home in Cambridge on the 139th anniversary of the birth of Albert Einstein.

After taking his undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford, he moved to Cambridge for his doctorate and stayed there for the rest of his career.

Hawking's family has asked six college porters, many of whom provided support for Hawking when he visited for dinners and other events, to carry his coffin.

Tributes poured in from around the world upon Hawking's death, from Queen Elizabeth II to NASA, reflecting his huge impact as a physicist and an inspiration

Friends, family and colleagues of British scientist Stephen Hawking will gather Saturday to pay their respects at his private funeral in Cambridge, where he spent most of his extraordinary life. Hawking, who died on March 14 at the age of 76, was famously an atheist but his children Lucy, Robert and Tim have chosen the town's university church, St Mary the Great, to say their farewell. "Our father's life and work meant many things to many people, both religious and non-religious. So, the service will be both inclusive and traditional, reflecting the breadth and diversity of his life," they have said. Tributes poured in from around the world upon Hawking's death, from Queen Elizabeth II to NASA, reflecting his huge impact as a physicist and an inspiration, in his refusal to give up in the face of physical disability. But the service at St Mary church -- a short distance from Gonville and Caius College where Hawking worked for more than 50 years -- will only be open to those who knew him, followed by a private reception at Trinity College. A wider audience will attend a thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey in London on June 15, where Hawking's remains will be buried near the grave of another legendary scientist, Isaac Newton. Ahead of the funeral, Gonville and Caius College released new black and white photographs of Hawking taken in 1961 at a summer school for young astrophysicists at a castle in Sussex, southern England, when he was 19. They showed him playing croquet and in a sailing dinghy, two years before he began experiencing the first symptoms of the motor neurone disease that would later leave him almost completely paralysed. Fellow students contacted by the college recalled his left-wing views and his mischievous sense of humour, with one describing how he replaced the Royal Navy flag on the castle flagpole with the Communist hammer and sickle. Hawking defied predictions that he would only live for a few years, although his rare condition -- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) -- gradually robbed him of mobility. He was confined to a wheelchair, almost completely paralysed and unable to speak except through his trademark voice synthesiser. But the illness did nothing to dull his mind, and Hawking became one of the world's best-known and most inspiring scientists, known for his brilliance and his wit. His work focused on bringing together relativity -- the nature of space and time -- and quantum theory -- how the smallest particles behave -- to explain the creation of the Universe and how it is governed. But he was also a global star -- his 1988 book "A Brief History of Time" was an unlikely worldwide bestseller, and he appeared as himself in TV shows from "The Simpsons" to "Star Trek: The Next Generation". Born on January 8, 1942 -- 300 years to the day after the death of the father of modern science, Galileo Galilei -- Hawking died in his home in Cambridge on the 139th anniversary of the birth of Albert Einstein. After taking his undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford, he moved to Cambridge for his doctorate and stayed there for the rest of his career. Hawking's family has asked six college porters, many of whom provided support for Hawking when he visited for dinners and other events, to carry his coffin.

Family, friends bid farewell to Stephen Hawking

French priest Father Jacques Hamel, who was murdered in an attack by two jihadists on his Catholic church in a Normandy town, will be laid to rest today. 
 
According to his diocese, the funeral for the 85-year-old priest will be held at the 11th-century Gothic cathedral of the northern city of Rouen, where Muslims and Christians came together to mourn his death at a mass on Sunday.&nbsp;He will then be buried in a ceremony attended only by close family members, at a location which has not been revealed. 
 
Hamel became the latest victim of a terror attack in France when two 19-year-old jihadists stormed his church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray last Tuesday and slit his throat at the altar.&nbsp;Abdel Malik Petitjean and Adel Kermiche had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and both were shot dead by police after a tense hostage drama in which a worshipper was left seriously wounded. Three other hostages escaped unharmed. 
 
The attack stunned France&#39;s religious communities, sparking fears of tensions in a country with a population of some five million Muslims.&nbsp;However, the two communities have largely rallied together, with churches opening their doors to Muslims on Sunday for a moving tribute to Hamel, and against radical Islam. 
 
Pope Francis said Islam could not be equated with terrorism.&nbsp;&quot;It&#39;s not true and it&#39;s not correct (to say) Islam is terrorism,&quot; he said, defending his decision not to name Islam when condemning the brutal murder. 
 
&quot;If I have to talk about Islamic violence I have to talk about Christian violence. Every day in the newspapers I see violence in Italy, someone kills his girlfriend, another kills his mother-in-law, and these are baptised Catholics.&quot; 
 
The church attack came just two weeks after Tunisian Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel ploughed a 19-tonne truck into a massive crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the Riviera city of Nice, leaving 84 dead and injuring more than 300 people.&nbsp;The repeat attacks in France have raised tough questions about security failures, but also about the foreign funding of many mosques. 
 
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said on Monday that authorities have shut down around 20 mosques and prayer halls considered to be preaching radical Islam since December.&nbsp;&quot;There is no place ... in France for those who call for and incite hatred in prayer halls or in mosques, and who don&#39;t respect certain republican principles, notably equality between men and women,&quot; the minister said. 
 
(AFP)

Father Jacques Hamel's funeral will be held at the 11th-century Gothic cathedral in the northern city of Rouen

French priest Father Jacques Hamel, who was murdered in an attack by two jihadists on his Catholic church in a Normandy town, will be laid to rest today. According to his diocese, the funeral for the 85-year-old priest will be held at the 11th-century Gothic cathedral of the northern city of Rouen, where Muslims and Christians came together to mourn his death at a mass on Sunday. He will then be buried in a ceremony attended only by close family members, at a location which has not been revealed. Hamel became the latest victim of a terror attack in France when two 19-year-old jihadists stormed his church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray last Tuesday and slit his throat at the altar. Abdel Malik Petitjean and Adel Kermiche had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and both were shot dead by police after a tense hostage drama in which a worshipper was left seriously wounded. Three other hostages escaped unharmed. The attack stunned France's religious communities, sparking fears of tensions in a country with a population of some five million Muslims. However, the two communities have largely rallied together, with churches opening their doors to Muslims on Sunday for a moving tribute to Hamel, and against radical Islam. Pope Francis said Islam could not be equated with terrorism. "It's not true and it's not correct (to say) Islam is terrorism," he said, defending his decision not to name Islam when condemning the brutal murder. "If I have to talk about Islamic violence I have to talk about Christian violence. Every day in the newspapers I see violence in Italy, someone kills his girlfriend, another kills his mother-in-law, and these are baptised Catholics." The church attack came just two weeks after Tunisian Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel ploughed a 19-tonne truck into a massive crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the Riviera city of Nice, leaving 84 dead and injuring more than 300 people. The repeat attacks in France have raised tough questions about security failures, but also about the foreign funding of many mosques. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said on Monday that authorities have shut down around 20 mosques and prayer halls considered to be preaching radical Islam since December. "There is no place ... in France for those who call for and incite hatred in prayer halls or in mosques, and who don't respect certain republican principles, notably equality between men and women," the minister said. (AFP)

Funeral to be held for French priest slain by jihadists

Actor Will Smith and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis will be among the pallbearers for Muhammad Ali&#39;s funeral on Friday June 10, joining a list of notable athletes, entertainers and politicians to mourn the boxing legend&#39;s death. 
 
Former US President Bill Clinton, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and comedian Billy Crystal were among those previously announced as participating in public events as the world grieves the loss of the boxer, showman and antiwar activist who captivated global attention in the 1960s and 1970s. 
 
One of the transcendent figures of the 20th century, Ali, died on Friday at age 74. Family spokesman Bob Gunnell announced the details of the memorial services on Monday June 6. 
 
Smith played Ali in the 2001 movie of the same name, earning an Oscar nomination and becoming a family friend. London-born Lewis, who went on to represent Canada in the Olympics, is one of three boxers along with Ali and Evander Holyfield to have held the heavyweight title three times. 
 
They will be joined by relatives and family friends in carrying the casket through Ali&#39;s home town of Louisville, Kentucky on Friday. 
 
More than 30,000 tickets will be distributed to the public for two memorials scheduled for Thursday and Friday in sports arenas in the city. 
 
About 300 fans who could not wait gathered on Monday outside Ali&#39;s childhood home for a memorial led by Islamic leaders, a dance group and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. 
 
Dwight Richardson, 32, a youth counsellor, brought seven kids he works with so they could learn about Ali&#39;s message. 
 
&quot;People might not like it, but if you stand up for what you believe in, then you won&#39;t be a pushover,&quot; Richardson said. 
 
Ali who suffered from Parkinson&#39;s disease for many years and his family had planned his funeral for a decade. 
 
Official events start with a private ceremony on Thursday, followed by an Islamic service for the public at Freedom Hall, the site of Ali&#39;s last professional fight in Louisville, where he defeated Willi Besmanoff on Nov. 29, 1961. The service will be led by Imam Zaid Shakir of California. 
 
On Friday, Ali&#39;s family will gather for prayers, to be followed by the funeral procession through Louisville. The route will include a boulevard bearing Ali&#39;s name on the way to the Cave Hill Cemetery. 
 
The main service will take place at the KFC Yum! Center on Friday afternoon, when Clinton and Crystal are scheduled to deliver eulogies. 
 
In addition, Fischer announced an &quot;I Am Ali&quot; Festival on Wednesday with programming for children.

Will Smith had played Ali in the 2001 biopic based on the legendary boxer's life. Lennox Lewis is among the three boxers who have held the heavyweight title three times

Actor Will Smith and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis will be among the pallbearers for Muhammad Ali's funeral on Friday June 10, joining a list of notable athletes, entertainers and politicians to mourn the boxing legend's death. Former US President Bill Clinton, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and comedian Billy Crystal were among those previously announced as participating in public events as the world grieves the loss of the boxer, showman and antiwar activist who captivated global attention in the 1960s and 1970s. One of the transcendent figures of the 20th century, Ali, died on Friday at age 74. Family spokesman Bob Gunnell announced the details of the memorial services on Monday June 6. Smith played Ali in the 2001 movie of the same name, earning an Oscar nomination and becoming a family friend. London-born Lewis, who went on to represent Canada in the Olympics, is one of three boxers along with Ali and Evander Holyfield to have held the heavyweight title three times. They will be joined by relatives and family friends in carrying the casket through Ali's home town of Louisville, Kentucky on Friday. More than 30,000 tickets will be distributed to the public for two memorials scheduled for Thursday and Friday in sports arenas in the city. About 300 fans who could not wait gathered on Monday outside Ali's childhood home for a memorial led by Islamic leaders, a dance group and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. Dwight Richardson, 32, a youth counsellor, brought seven kids he works with so they could learn about Ali's message. "People might not like it, but if you stand up for what you believe in, then you won't be a pushover," Richardson said. Ali who suffered from Parkinson's disease for many years and his family had planned his funeral for a decade. Official events start with a private ceremony on Thursday, followed by an Islamic service for the public at Freedom Hall, the site of Ali's last professional fight in Louisville, where he defeated Willi Besmanoff on Nov. 29, 1961. The service will be led by Imam Zaid Shakir of California. On Friday, Ali's family will gather for prayers, to be followed by the funeral procession through Louisville. The route will include a boulevard bearing Ali's name on the way to the Cave Hill Cemetery. The main service will take place at the KFC Yum! Center on Friday afternoon, when Clinton and Crystal are scheduled to deliver eulogies. In addition, Fischer announced an "I Am Ali" Festival on Wednesday with programming for children.

Will Smith, Lennox Lewis to be pallbearers at Muhammad Ali's funeral

&nbsp;Actor Will Smith and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis will be among the&nbsp;pallbearers for&nbsp;Muhammad&nbsp;Ali&#39;s funeral on Friday, joining a list of notable athletes, entertainers and politicians to mourn the boxing legend.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and comedian Billy Crystal were among those previously announced as participating in public events as the world grieves the loss of the boxer, showman and antiwar activist who captivated global attention in the 1960s and 1970s.

One of the transcendent figures of the 20th century,&nbsp;Ali&nbsp;died on Friday at age 74. Family spokesman Bob Gunnell announced the details of the memorial services on Monday.

Smith played&nbsp;Ali&nbsp;in the 2001 movie of the same name, earning an Oscar nomination and becoming a family friend. London-born Lewis, who went on to represent Canada in the Olympics, is one of three boxers along with&nbsp;Ali&nbsp;and Evander Holyfield to have held the heavyweight title three times.

They will be joined by relatives and family friends in carrying the casket through&nbsp;Ali&#39;s home town of Louisville, Kentucky on Friday.

More than 30,000 tickets will be distributed to the public for two memorials scheduled for Thursday and Friday in sports arenas in the city.

About 300 fans who could not wait gathered on Monday outside&nbsp;Ali&#39;s childhood home for a memorial led by Islamic leaders, a dance group and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer.

Dwight Richardson, 32, a youth counsellor, brought seven kids he works with so they could learn about&nbsp;Ali&#39;s message.

&quot;People might not like it, but if you stand up for what you believe in, then you won&#39;t be a pushover,&quot; Richardson said.

Ali, who suffered from Parkinson&#39;s disease for many years, and his family had planned his funeral for a decade.

Official events start with a private ceremony on Thursday, followed by an Islamic service for the public at Freedom Hall, the site of&nbsp;Ali&#39;s last professional fight in Louisville, where he defeated Willi Besmanoff on Nov. 29, 1961. The service will be led by Imam Zaid Shakir of California.

On Friday,&nbsp;Ali&#39;s family will gather for prayers, to be followed by the funeral procession through Louisville. The route will include a boulevard bearing&nbsp;Ali&#39;s name on the way to the Cave Hill Cemetery.

The main service will take place at the KFC Yum! Center on Friday afternoon, when Clinton and Crystal are scheduled to deliver eulogies.

In addition, Fischer announced an &quot;I Am&nbsp;Ali&quot; Festival on Wednesday with programming for children.

Actor Will Smith and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis will be among the?pallbearers for?Muhammad?Ali's funeral on Friday

Actor Will Smith and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis will be among the pallbearers for Muhammad Ali's funeral on Friday, joining a list of notable athletes, entertainers and politicians to mourn the boxing legend. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and comedian Billy Crystal were among those previously announced as participating in public events as the world grieves the loss of the boxer, showman and antiwar activist who captivated global attention in the 1960s and 1970s. One of the transcendent figures of the 20th century, Ali died on Friday at age 74. Family spokesman Bob Gunnell announced the details of the memorial services on Monday. Smith played Ali in the 2001 movie of the same name, earning an Oscar nomination and becoming a family friend. London-born Lewis, who went on to represent Canada in the Olympics, is one of three boxers along with Ali and Evander Holyfield to have held the heavyweight title three times. They will be joined by relatives and family friends in carrying the casket through Ali's home town of Louisville, Kentucky on Friday. More than 30,000 tickets will be distributed to the public for two memorials scheduled for Thursday and Friday in sports arenas in the city. About 300 fans who could not wait gathered on Monday outside Ali's childhood home for a memorial led by Islamic leaders, a dance group and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. Dwight Richardson, 32, a youth counsellor, brought seven kids he works with so they could learn about Ali's message. "People might not like it, but if you stand up for what you believe in, then you won't be a pushover," Richardson said. Ali, who suffered from Parkinson's disease for many years, and his family had planned his funeral for a decade. Official events start with a private ceremony on Thursday, followed by an Islamic service for the public at Freedom Hall, the site of Ali's last professional fight in Louisville, where he defeated Willi Besmanoff on Nov. 29, 1961. The service will be led by Imam Zaid Shakir of California. On Friday, Ali's family will gather for prayers, to be followed by the funeral procession through Louisville. The route will include a boulevard bearing Ali's name on the way to the Cave Hill Cemetery. The main service will take place at the KFC Yum! Center on Friday afternoon, when Clinton and Crystal are scheduled to deliver eulogies. In addition, Fischer announced an "I Am Ali" Festival on Wednesday with programming for children.

Will Smith, Lennox Lewis to be pallbearers at Muhammad Ali funeral

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