London, Dec 9 : Glamour model Danielle Llyod, who always throws a fancy dress party on her birthdays, will be dressing as a Disney character with an undisclosed twist on her 25th birthday bash.

Danielle, who had a pimps and tarts theme for her 24th birthday, revealed she has not yet zeroed on a birthday song for the bash at a top London nightclub.

“I am excited about my birthday, although it’s a bit scary to think that I am going to be 25,” the Sun quoted Danielle, as saying.

Rome - The number of hungry people in the world soared to 963 million in 2008, an increase of 40 million over the previous year largely due to higher food prices, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said Tuesday.

The Rome-based FAO warned that the current economic crisis could tip even more people into hunger and poverty.

Washington, Dec 9 : Burlesque actress Dita Von Teese has been ignoring Comedian Russell Brand’s phone calls, ruling out any chance of romance with him.

It has been reported that Dita gave Brand her number following a meeting in L. A., and soon after began getting his calls.

Dita emphasizes that giving her number to Brand doesn’t mean she will date him.

Moscow - The funeral of Patriarch Alexi II, the late head of the Russian Orthodox Church, took place Tuesday in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

Religious leaders, public representatives and foreign dignitaries paid their last respects before the patriarch's open casket at a moving Requiem Mass.

Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, who was appointed temporary leader of the church after Alexi's death, led the liturgy.

Alexi II was due to be buried in the afternoon.

Washington , Dec 9 : A majority of Americans believe that bankruptcy for US automakers would have a major impact on the economy, and are evenly split about the prospect of providing government financial assistance for the big three, according to a new CBS News poll.

Forty-five percent of those surveyed approve of government assistance for Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, while nearly as many - 44 percent - disapprove.

Washington, Dec 9 : American actor Tom Cruise and his wife Katie Holmes were seen shopping for gifts for needy children on the actress’ day off from the theatre.

They were spotted entering New York City''s famed toy store FAO Schwarz after it closed on December 7, reports People magazine.

The couple are expected to buy carts full of dolls, toys, books, and games to donate to Stockings with Care, a non-profit organization founded in 1992 that gives gifts to needy kids.