21.   Social spending has indeed increased fairly steadily over the past ten years, but the Robin Hood effect has been conspicuously absent.

22.   The U.S. economy grew at a faster pace than previously estimated in the second quarter as business investment and defense spending increased, the government said today.

23.   Though elsewhere in the region democracy has brought a sharp cut in defense spending, in Brazil such spending has increased.

24.   Total spending would actually increase next year.

25.   Military spending increased in the Middle East and South Asian countries, such as Pakistan and India.

26.   Renner said war spending is also increasing in some areas.

27.   That spending will increase over the next three years, Manuel said, though he gave no specific figures.

28.   Panlilio said as US corporate profits improved, capital spending should increase for hi-tech products such as computers and telecoms equipment.