WORLD IN BRIEF : BOLIVIA : Thousands March to Back Teachers

Tens of thousands of Bolivian workers marched in support of 200 teachers who began a hunger strike last week to press their demands for a pay increase. The government responded by ordering schools closed for a week. It is the first major confrontation between labor and President Jaime Paz Zamora, who took office Aug. 6. Average pay for teachers is equivalent to $76 a month, and they are demanding a 15% increase and bonuses equal to a month’s pay. The government says paying teachers more would spur inflation and that it does not have the money for either a bonus or a raise.