Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson is keeping close tabs on what he eats. According to the TV actor and former Tennessee senator, constant encouragement from his wife Jeri and others keeps him in peak form. He now watches his cholesterol, weight, and gets more exercise.

The world's oldest man, who turned 112 on Tuesday, said he wants to live forever. Tomoji Tanabe of Miyazaki, Japan made the statement after a Japanese mayor, who brought him a bouquet and congratulations on his birthday, asked the centenarian how many years he would like to live. Japan Today quoted Tanabe as saying, "I want to live indefinitely. I don't want to die. "

A lawmaker has filed a measure that seeks to impose a 10 percent tax on all flavored or colored syrups being used in the manufacture of softdrinks. Rep. Danilo Suarez (3rd District, Quezon) said the main purpose of House Bill 595 is to discourage inclusion of softdrinks in the Filipino diet, which he believes will help avoid some of the health problems that frequent soda drinking bring.

Chubby and overweight animals in a South Korean zoo will be put on a diet after almost ten years of eating processed foods. Animals at the Seoul Grand Park zoo had been eating more than the normal amount of food intake per day so the animal management have decided to increase amount of their natural food intake and decrease the processed foods.

Mayor Gianluca Buonanno of Varallo announced plans to give 50 euros ($70) to all the men who lose 4 kg (9 pounds) in a month, while the women will be rewarded the same amount for shedding 3 kg (7 pounds). A doctor must verify that participants are considered "overweight" prior to beginning their diet. If this was not enough to motivate the people to lose weight, Buonanno also announced to pay an additional 200 euros ($280) to anyone who can keep the weight off for 5 months.