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As it winds its way to the South China Sea, the Mekong River runs along Myanmar's remote and often troubled Shan state. The repressive military government in Yangon controls parts of the state, while ethnic militias and warlords rule the others.

According to a new government report, allegations of wrongdoing by military recruiters rose from 4,400 cases in 2004 to 6,600 cases in 2005 -- and numbers are likely worse than reported. Violations range from falsifying documents to telling a recruit not to reveal a legal or medical problem that could bar enlistment. The rise in recruiter problems could reflect pressure to meet wartime recruiting goals.

Republican Sen. John Warner says he will retire after more than 30 years in the U.S. Senate, concluding his fifth term in 2009. In a brief news conference, he thanked his state for granting him a have "a magnificent and very rewarding career."

A staple of the American road trip could be slowly disappearing. Owners of some roadside attractions are deciding that interest is waning in such treasures as the world's largest ball of string, Stinker the monkey or the Elvis Is Alive Museum.

Many friends and colleagues of Bruce Ivins, a government researcher who was under investigation for the anthrax attacks of 2001, have said they are certain that investigators are pointing to the wrong man. But his estranged brother says he believes the allegations.

A teacher named John Mark Karr says he was responsible for the death of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey in 1996. Now in Thai custody, Karr is expected to be returned to the U.S. for further investigation. Colorado authorites have been guarded in their comments about Karr's arrest.

More than 6,000 police departments around the country now use tasers, the electronic stun guns that have been hailed as an alternative to lethal force. But Taser International, which makes the weapons, is facing questions about the safety of its products, and the accuracy of its sales reports. NPR's Laura Sullivan reports.

Published reports this weekend say Yahoo has sent a letter to Microsoft rejecting a bid by the giant software maker to buy the search-engine company. But the letter could just be a negotiating ploy.

Officials in Afghanistan on Wednesday said it launched an operation to drive Taliban insurgents from villages on the outskirts of Kandahar. Afghan government troops have been joined by Canadian forces in the operation.

Charlton Heston, a Hollywood leading man for six decades, died Saturday night at his home in Beverly Hills. At 84, he had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease. In films ranging from biblical epics to science-fiction dystopias, he stood tall as a heroic figure.