Consumer prices have now increased by 21.2 percent in the last 12 months, up from July's rate of 20.7 percent, a bureau spokesman said.

"It's too early to say anything else," said Steve Markardt, a bureau spokesman.

Of those, from 6 to 8 percent turn out to be assault weapons, said Jack Killorin, a bureau spokesman.

"These crimes are certainly on the increase," said Mike Kortan, a bureau spokesman.

"There has only been a very preliminary test so far," said Andy Boach, a bureau spokesman.

A bureau spokesman said today that six sexual-harassment complaints had been filed in the last five years.

"We did everything that needed to be done," said John Iannarelli, a bureau spokesman.

Jeffrey Roehm, a bureau spokesman, said that for a store clerk to explain the rule did not violate the law.

It is not recommended that travelers buy forints ahead of time, the bureau spokesman said.

"We're fighting the conspiracy theorists," one bureau spokesman said.