AUSTIN, Texas, Nov.

By Michael Casey, Associated Press BANGKOK, Thailand -- Armed only with upturned begging bowls, chanting Buddhist monks in Myanmar have caught the country's military rulers off guard with their peaceful protests.

By Michael Casey BANGKOK, Thailand - Armed only with upturned begging bowls, chanting Buddhist monks in Myanmar have caught the country's military rulers off guard with their peaceful protests.

By ELIZABETH M. GILLESPIE SEATTLE - Starbucks Corp. reported Wednesday that its fiscal second-quarter profit rose 27 percent, citing brisk customer demand for its coffee drinks, a strong showing for green tea beverages and its ever-growing footprint of stores.

By ANDREW PICKEN A FORMER teacher at a top private school has been charged in connection with an alleged sexual encounter with a 17-year-old female pupil.