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.

Germany is to face European Union (EU) officials in a bid to save the designation of Apfelwein - its traditional apple wine - amid fears it is to be victim of new EU regulations. Apfelwein, a beverage with five to seven percent alcohol content, comes from the country's south-western state of Hesse which includes the financial center Frankfurt.

A Sri Lankan resort made it to the list of the world's most expensive dessert ever to grace one's palate. The dessert has a fruit infused confection with chocolate sculpture and a large gemstone which is worth $14,500. According to The Fortress Resort public relations manager Shalini Perera, they named their most expensive and mouth-watering dessert "The Fortress Stilt Fisherman Indulgence," to give their visitors an unforgettable experience when they visit their resort.

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.

Airport police are investigation how a man from Lima, Peru, boarded a flight to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. , Tuesday with a small monkey hidden under his hat. The monkey, now nicknamed named "Spirit," could have easily gone unnoticed if he hadn't popped out of his owner's head and spotted by the other passengers in the plane.