News In Brief

Israeli workers protest soaring inflation rate

Thousands of workers protested outside government buildings in Jerusalem Monday over a devastating 190.7 percent inflation rate as postal and railway workers nationwide stayed off the job for a second day.

Protesters, including union leaders from 23 communities around the country, gathered outside Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir's offices to demonstrate. No violence was reported.

Figures published Sunday put Israel's annual inflation rate for 1983 at 190.7 percent, the highest yet. Officials, including Finance Minister Yigal Cohen-Orgad, have vowed to slash government spending, curb inflation, and spur exports.