1.   Rising tax revenues in flush economic times should give the administration some leeway to raise spending next year.

2.   The rise in rates comes a week after the Bank of Japan lower rents and add to disposable income, raising consumer spending, they said.

3.   The strong economy has made it possible, for the third year in a row, for the state to raise spending significantly, even while cutting taxes.

4.   U.S. stocks rose as reports of better-than-expected economic growth and spending raised the fortunes of companies closely tied to the economy.

5.   U.S. stocks rose as reports of better-than-expected economic growth and spending raised the fortunes of companies closely tied with the economy.

6.   FINANCIAL Secretary Sir Donald Tsang Yam-kuen has come under increasing pressure to raise public spending in a bid to stimulate the economy.