Only a fortnight after releasing their debut album of plainchant, the Cistercian monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz in Austria have reached number one on the UK Classics charts and number nine in the pop, rock and and dance charts.

A Catholic university in the US will honour the Buddhist monks of Burma (Myanmar) for their courage and nonviolent demonstrations against the tyrannical Burmese military earlier this year, by awarding them with an honorary doctorate.

Several weeks after a brutal crackdown on thousands of democracy protesters across Burma, over a hundred Buddhist monks have taken part in the first public demonstration in northern Burma since the government's wave of repression.

As yet unconfirmed reports from military sources in Burma say that there is significant unrest in the army, with reports of mutinying in some areas and claims that a coup is taking place. Meanwhile the death toll of protesters has been growing significantly.

Burma's military junta appears to have cut public internet access to prevent the broadcast of videos, photographs and information about the violent attacks on protesters against the junta's rule - report global news agencies.

The key role of a long spiritual heritage of disciplined and creative non-violence should not be ignored as a factor in current attempts to overthrow brutal dictatorship in Burma, says Gene Stoltzfus, a founder of Christian Peacemaker Teams.

The leader of the Anglican church in Myanmar (Burma) has offered support and prayers for the nation as thousands of Buddhist monks are taking to the streets of the capital in non-violent protests - and facing military repression.

Thousands of Burmese monks and other protesters have begun a new march with prayers and chants in Rangoon, despite a baton charge by police at the city's holiest shrine. Supporters say the tide of nonviolent resistance must continue.

Buddhist monks are leading nonviolent protests across Burma as opposition to dictatorship and calls for the restoration of democracy increase. They want the Burmese people to pray in their doorways for 15 minutes at 20.00 on Sunday (23 September 2007), Monday and Tuesday.