It came from Frank Lloyd Wright, probably the most famous of American architects, who wrote: "The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own, we have no soul of our own civilisation."

Syntactically, it's a bit clunky (Wright was an architect, not a writer), but you can see where he was coming from.

It set me thinking. What I took from Wright's statement is that our most potent and Dior lady handbag lasting symbols of culture and nationhood are not works of art, but works of architecture.

The Parthenon still stands as a memorial of ancient Greece, just as the Colosseum does of Rome. Entire civilisations are identified by the structures they left behind: Macchu Picchu in Peru, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Petra in Jordan, "a rose-red city half as old as time", according to the famous poem by John William Burgon.

France's most potent symbol, one that is instantly recognised worldwide, is the Eiffel Tower. What could be more symbolic of Russia than the onion-shaped domes of St Basil's Cathedral, which has stood at the heart of Moscow since 1561?

Think of India, and you're likely to think of the Taj Mahal, and what could better exemplify the brashness and self-confidence of early 20th-century American capitalism than the Empire State Building?

Moving closer to home, nothing more readily identifies Australia in the eyes of the world than the iconic lines of the Sydney Opera House. OK, so the building was conceived by a Dane, but it has been embraced by Australians, and it has come to symbolise boldness, audacity and opportunity.

Buildings such as these can give people a sense of who they are and what they value. What's more, buildings belong to the people in a way that works of art such as paintings and sculptures can never do. By their very nature they Chanel bag are public, enabling ordinary people to share a sense of ownership.

All this got me thinking about how New Zealand measures up.

We certainly don't have anything to match the Sydney Opera House for its breathtaking architectural daring.

We had an opportunity with Te Papa, and we blew it. What we got was a brutish, insensitive building that is unappealing from the outside and doesn't make any sense internally.

The building that's most often described as a New Zealand icon is the Beehive, but the concept was created by a Scotsman, Sir Basil Spence, and it doesn't say anything about us as a country. Its only virtue is that it's distinctive.

Internally, the Beehive is appallingly impractical, because of its shape. In fact, it's a classic reversal of the design dictum that form should follow function.

Spence created his sketch on a table napkin, the story goes, and then left it to Ministry of Works architects to make it work, which it never did.

Te Ara, the website of the Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, lists 12 buildings that it describes as iconic.

The Sky Tower is there, but although it's instantly recognisable, like the Beehive, I think of it as representative of Auckland rather than New Zealand. It has a
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Dan Black led the White Sox offensive attack with three hits and a pair of RBIs. He also fell a double short of hitting for the cycle.

After a fielding error in the first, Black got Bristol (7-6) on the scoreboard with a two-run home run to Discount Burberry Handbag Bags Replica right-center field. The White Sox catcher tripled in the third and added a single in the fifth.

John Spatola added a solo home run in the seventh, while Tyler Saladino drove in runs in the second and sixth for Bristol.

Pulaski (7-6) got all of its offensive production from Ramon Morla, who belted BMW Watches a pair of solo home runs. Morla has now hit safely in 11 of the Mariners 13 games this season.

Bristol 210 001 100 -- 5 10 0

Pulaski 100 001 000 -- 2 6 2

Arroyo, Casey (8), Moran (9) and Black. Mieses, Kiel (8), Griffin (9) and Giobbi. Fake Bvlgari Watches W--Arroyo, 1-1. L--Mieses, 0-2. S -- Moran, 1. HRs- -Bristol: Black (1), Spatola (2); Pulaski: Morla 2 (5).

KAMPALA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- An unexploded suicide belt was found in Makindye, a city suburb in the south of Kampala, said Uganda police chief here on Tuesday.

Uganda's Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura told a press briefing at Uganda Media Center that the attacker who planned to suicide with the bomb belt at ICS Discotheque in Makindye may have got coward and abandoned the belt at the scene.

Bomb explosions tore a huge crowd watching the World Cup final at Kyandondo Rugby Club in a suburb east of Kampala and an Ethiopian restaurant, south of Kampala, killing at least 70 people and leaving 71 others injured on Sunday.

Among the dead were 10 Ethiopians the best Designer Tiffany Jewelry Handags Replica and Eritreans, one Indian and one American. However, Ugandan Red Cross spokesperson Catherine Ntabadde has put the total death toll of the blasts at 78.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Monday declared a one-week national mourning starting on Tuesday following the Sunday twin blasts in Kampala. He described the act as backward, irresponsible and coward by the terrorists.

Kayihura said the United States, Britain and some African countries have sent experts to join the ongoing investigations. According to him, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) also promised to assist in the inquiry.

Al Shabab, an armed faction fighting the Somali Transitional Government with known links with al Qaeda, was suspected of being behind the attacks. But its spokesperson at first refused to confirm or deny the responsibility after the blasts.

Later on Monday, the group's spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamoud Raageh announced that the Islamist group carried out the attack to revenge for what he said was atrocities committed by the Uganda troops in the Somali capital Mogadishu as peacekeeping forces.

Al shabab has for several times warned Ugandan and Burundian governments against deploying its peacekeepers in Somalia, threatening to launch attacks in their capital cities on civilian targets.

The twin blasts occurred a week before the African Union summit is hosted here, which would bring together most African leaders and senior officials, raising concerns on the security during the meeting.

Defence minister A K Antony told Parliament that the proposed upgrade of the Sukhois, which will be done by Hindustan Aeronautics with the help of the Russian manufacturer, is likely to be progressively undertaken from 2012 onwards.

The Sukhois have proved to be quite expensive for India considering that the original 230 fighters -- around 120 of them have been inducted till now -- were contracted from Russia in three deals worth upwards of $ 8.5 billion.

HAL has been directed to complete the manufacture of 140 of these 230 Sukhois under transfer of technology by 2015 at all costs. The 42 new Sukhois, in turn, will be built by HAL between 2014 and 2018.

With both China and Pakistan bolstering their air combat fleets, IAF had asked for additional Sukhois to be prepared for any contingency on both the eastern and western fronts, as was first reported by TOI.

After Pune and Bareilly, IAF has already earmarked airbases like Tezpur and Chabua in Assam, Halwara (Punjab) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan) as the new airbases to house two Sukhoi squadrons each. For Reprint Rights: timescontent.com

We can't get the nuclear genie back in the bottle, but we can reduce risks.

German scientific breakthroughs in the 1930s revealed how enormous destructive forces could be released by nuclear fission or fusion. Physicists fleeing Germany reported the Nazi Uranverein (uranium ) bomb project, resulting in the U.S. Manhattan project aided by Britain to build nuclear weapons. The first and only nuclear weapons to be used in anger at Japan contributed to ending World War II, then fueled Cold War fears between the U.S. and Soviet Union. Over time other nations developed nuclear weapons.

The U.S. and Soviet nuclear stockpiles grew enormous by the 1960s. Thoughtful people, worried about intentional or accidental use or theft of nuclear weapons, began a range of technical, treaty-alliance and trust-building efforts to reduce risks.

Examples include stopping atmospheric testing, banning nuclear weapons from outer space, stockpile-launcher reduction, emergency communications like the hot line, improving accuracy of weapons so warhead size could be reduced and ultimately shifting to conventional explosives, and more. Military folk who know the dangers of a nuclear environment supported these trends. Conventional weapons are bad enough.

Treaties between nuclear capable states are one of the best ways to reduce risks of hot warfare and nuclear attack. The process of treaty formulation, ratification, implementation and verification builds a culture of trust and respect between parties. Nuclear arms limitation talks began in the early 1960s. Agreements such as the Intermediate Nuclear Forces and the first Strategic Arms Reduction treaties helped end the Cold War without violence. Treaties constantly call attention to new risks,

as. Many treaties have expired.

In April 2010, Defense Secretary Robert Gates released the Nuclear Posture Review, a report that outlines the role of nuclear weapons in America's national security. The departments of Defense, State and Energy play key roles in the legislatively mandated process. Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said, "The chiefs and I fully support the findings of this nuclear posture review."

As part of this process, a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START II) can begin through the ratification process in the U.S. Senate as early as this week. I strongly recommend ratification. Here's why.

Start II will verifiably reduce surplus U.S. and Russian nuclear forces and ensure a stable and predictable U.S.-Russian nuclear relationship. Strategic missiles, bombers and deployed strategic warheads LED tube will be limited and verified. These provisions will allow the U.S. to count the actual number of warheads that Russian missiles carry, a first for an arms control treaty. START II gives high confidence that each side is complying with the treaty's limits and reduces the chances for misunderstanding or error that could lead to a nuclear exchange.

The U.S. will still be able to maintain a robust and flexible nuclear deterrent. Without START II, the U.S. would have far less confidence in its ability to limit and 深圳宝安搬家公司 monitor Russia's enormous nuclear arsenal.

S
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He's been arrested and interrogated by police in East Germany, tailed and bugged by the KGB in Moscow and shot at by Nigerians in Biafra.

But it's all in a day's work for the man who brought us The Day of The Jackal, The Odessa File and other novels.

The 71-year-old author says he had another close shave last year, while researching his latest book, The Cobra (published by Bantam, priced Pounds 18.99 and out on Thursday).

His trip to Guinea-Bissau, West Africa - or that "war-ravaged, gutted hell-hole" as Forsyth describes it - was rather eventful.

"While I was airborne someone blew the chief of the Army to pieces with a bomb under his desk. As I landed at 2am, the vengeful army was heading into town to seek retribution."

Later that night, Forsyth was woken in his hotel room by the sound of a bomb exploding 500 yards away. President Joao Bernardo Vieira had been shot and then hacked to death with machetes.

The former Reuters foreign correspondent recalls: "Borders and airports were immediately closed so I had a world exclusive. Great fun at 71! Quite like old times."

Forsyth was visiting the former Portuguese colony for his novel The Cobra, which sees an ex-CIA operative given a free rein to do whatever it takes to win the war on drugs.

He says he doesn't get anxious when travelling to volatile countries for research, but he does take care.

"The trick is to have a feasible cover story and to keep beaming, shaking hands and standing rounds of beer. Stoned African soldiers are the worst - completely unpredictable."

Leisure activities such as scuba diving and big game fishing help him relax.

"I love the tropics and enjoy scuba diving but only over tropical reefs in balmy water. I snorkel for hours when vacationing in the Maldives, Mauritius, Turks and Caicos. And I love big-game fishing - marlin, sailfish, tarpon and tuna. But I never kill anything, it's all tag and release.'' Born in 1938, the only child of shopkeeper parents in Ashford, Kent, he always wanted to travel. He has kept working past retirement age, not least because he was swindled out of Pounds 2.2 million by Roger Levitt, the investment adviser who went bankrupt in a Pounds 34 million financial scandal in 1990.

"I thought he was a friend. We had known each other for seven years before I let Replica women's shoes him invest some of my savings."

Today, he and second wife Sandy live in an old, rustic Hertfordshire farmhouse.

"Fifteen years ago, I converted the upper floor of an old barn into the writing room. I think I have done the last seven or eight novels up there."

The event -- named The Summerslammer -- took place at Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, on Thursday, and included singers, dancers, comedians and bands.

Event organiser Tony Flately said it was important to get behind the town's hospital.

"We wanted to raise funds for equipment and other necessary funding for the hospital," he said.

Replica women's shoes "People seemed nike dunks to enjoy themselves, although it was a quieter evening that what we had hoped for.

"We are now hoping to organise a few similar fundraising events in the future. We don't know how much we've raised yet, as money is still coming in," he added.

Awards Baltimore Orioles jerseys were presented by Crowborough first team playermanager Dave Adams and the supporters' player of the year, Sam Carrington.

The mayor of Crowborough, Cllr Kay Moss, and the club's patron, Peter Perrett, were also among those making presentations.

Awards: under six manager's award: Daniel Longhurst; under seven manager's award: Max Skinner; under eight youth: manager's award: Ben Holman, players' player, Scott Robinson, parents' player, Freddie Bransbury-Zachary; under eight colts: manager's award, Jack Kingham, players' player, Scott Robinson, parents' player, Callum Best; under nine: manager's award, Brooke Chapman-Smith, player of the year, George Mackellow; under 10: manager's award, Nick Jones and Jay Cooper; under 11 youth: manager's award, Shane Kember, player of the year, Bradley Harris; under 11 colts: manager's award, Max high tops shoes sale Baker, most improved player, Billy Mackellow; under 12: manager's award, Jack Sivill, player of the year, Jack Sivill; under 13: manager's award, Nick Kavanagh, player of the year, Mason Tucker; under 15 youth: manager's award, Callum Ridley, player of the year, Rob Keenan; under 15 Phoenix: manager's award, Harry Turner, player of the year, Daniel Allen; under 16: manager's award, Jordan Crush, player of the year, Nicholas Collick.

Club awards: committee: Charlie Marr; Mat Rand Trophy: Marcus Goldsmith; Mayor's Trophy, Crowborough Athletic under 13; Endeavour Cup: Crowborough Athletic under 16; Cooper Cup (best supporters): Alison and Derek Vinall; club person of the year: Beccie Rawlins. The Patron's Award went to Micky Conlan.

Of Micky, Peter Perrett said: "Mick was first involved with the club when his son Ronnie joined us at around six years old. Mick quickly got involved and took on the management of the squad.

"He relinquished this role to Russell Huke, but continued as coach. He has been involved with coaching other squads and has run several soccer schools at Alderbrook.

"Mick was forced to retire from high class football through injury, but frequently answered the call to play for the club's third team.

"If you have spoken to him for more than two minutes, you will have noticed that he is a Londoner.

"He also works in London, so is planning to return there, particularly as Ronnie is now signed with Fulham and is therefore no longer permitted to play for Crowborough.

"We would not like to see him go without this memento from the whole club."

Flowers were presented to Cllr Moss and Eileen Howell, who, along with her husband, Brian, has worked tirelessly for the club over many years.

The disco was provided by Tom Wright and his friend, also Tom.

To soMe, Ibiza is thought of as an island of drinking, dancing till dawn and general hedonism.

Not for me. I went to the White Isle to recover from my hectic lifestyle back home, not add to it. so I chose to stay at the Hacienda Na Xemena, on the island's quiet north coast.

Perched atop a 600ft cliff, my room -- complete with in-room spa bath -- had Buffalo-Sabres panoramic views to the azure waters below. But it was the hotel's thalassotherapy pools, the Cascadas suspendidas, that I'd come to try.

The cascades are a series of outdoor saltwater pools heated to 37C.

When you arrive -- and have managed to regain your breath after taking in what is probably the best sea view on the island -- a guide greets you and tells you what to expect from the 45-minute treatment.

The pools and waterfalls are heated to different temperatures and you spend five minutes in each. every pool features either an air or a water massage, and focuses on a different area of the body.

The process begins on my feet when bubbles are forced up from jets on the pool's floor. Down the steps, and into the next area, my calves get a pounding -- and so on until, after six pools, I emerge shrivelled but very blissed out.

My companion and I are greeted with towels and robes and told to lay back on daybeds which overlook the rugged coastline. I wish I could have stayed all day.

It's recommended the treatment is repeated every other Christian Louboutin Pumps Shoes day for your stay and, as the service is also open to non-guests, I advise booking beforehand.

THE cascade treatment at hotel Hacienda Na Xemena costs [euro]35 per treatment for guests. For details, visit preferredboutique. com/hacienda

NICOLE MOWBRAY

FARMINGTON ? An organizer for Sunday's old-fashioned building bee at the Grange is expecting a good turnout of volunteers ready to swing hammers, paint, make repairs or help feed the crowd a hearty meal.

Grange spokesman Richard Marble said word has gone out to agricultural producers who sell their products at the area's farmers markets, to members of the Farmington Food Co-Op and the Western Maine Online Market and to farm product customers.

"We are expecting Replica Miumiu Handbags Replica a good turnout of farmers and others who are coming to help," he said.

"And if people just want to stop by and see what we are doing, they are welcome," he said.

The building bee begins at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 22, at the Grange Hall on Bridge Street in West Farmington. Work will be going on all day and Marble said if people can just spend a few hours giving a hand, it will be appreciated.

Volunteers are asked to bring hand tools, if they have them, and something to share for designer Hermes Belts for wholesales Handbags the noontime meal.

He said Grange members have been busy making casseroles and pies and potluck dishes are welcome. There will also be an end-of-the day party with ice cream and homemade pie.

The main focus of the day will be building the partitions in the basement where a new commercial kitchen will be installed for community members to wash, can, freeze and cook produce.

Marble said he is also investigating a future purchase of a canner that preserves and seals food in more economical metal cans rather than glass.

Other features of the project will be two 8-by-16-foot, walk-in coolers and a handicap-accessible bathroom. The facility will be open to the public and a nominal fee charged for use of the kitchen.

Other tasks Sunday will be painting and maintenance work.

To make a donation, checks made out to the Farmington Grange can be sent to Grange Treasurer, Gerry Libby, 381 Mosher Hill Road, Farmington, ME 04938

The work day will go on rain or shine because most of the tasks will be inside, Marble said.

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Leaving no sweet wrapper or yoghurt pot unturned, a team of volunteers sorted bins at Cotswold District Council.

They were exploring new ways to reduce waste and increase recycling by analysing waste cleaners had picked up the previous evening at the Trinity Road headquarters. Led Products Watches and Bags by environment and communities strategic director Ralph Young, the team sorted and weighed materials which included food waste, cardboard, plastics, and paper.

Mr Young said: "Whilst we already recycle the majority of our waste, we needed to find out the type and volume of materials we currently discard, which subsequently end up in landfill sites. "We could have engaged a consultant to carry out an audit of our waste but that Fake Replica Marc Jacobs Handbags Handbags would have cost over Pounds 3,000, so we decided to enlist the help of volunteers from Trinity Road and do the job ourselves. This baseline exercise should reveal how much unnecessary waste we are generating and help us plan campaigns to recycle more. Our target is to halve the number of waste collections at Trinity Road and other CDC offices."

SHELLAC is billed as the ultimate long-lasting manicure, and as I can't keep my nails neat for more than three days, I was unable to say no to the chance of perfect nail polish gucci belt bag Bags for up to two weeks.

Shellac combines the resilient finish of a gel nail overlay with the ease of paint-on colour. 'Your nails are jewels, not tools!' says Teni Shasanya, the therapist at Gielly Green.

The application process is simple. a clear base coat is applied, which is then 'cured' for 20 seconds in an ultraviolet lightbox.

Two coats of coloured polish follow (I chose bright pink), each of which needs a minute's curing, then a high-gloss top-coat, a final 20-second blast of light and, voila, it's all done.

The finished result is great. But does it stand the test of time? I'm careful for the first few days and it continues to look perfect. From day five, I use my nails as normal -- picking labels off bottles, opening cans -- and they stay in fantastic shape.

Some evidence of wear is now visible along the tip of the nail, but even by day eight, they are still fab.

But on day 11 disaster strikes when a whole chunk of nail -- as well as varnish -- comes off.

Two days later, I'm back in the salon to have the whole lot taken off (Shellac needs to be soaked in an acetone remover for ten minutes, so it's best done professionally).

But still, I'm impressed. If you routinely spend money on a manicure which doesn't last out the week, you'll get the point of it.

Shellac manicures, [pounds sterling]52 at Gielly Green, 42-44 George Street, London W1 (020 7034 3060) giellygreen.co.uk

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Marriage and sex problems are often closely intertwined. Every person has his or her own physical. emotional. and strength limitations and these areFake Watches. knowingly or not Replica Watches. brought into a marriage. These limitations are sometimes caused by each partner's upbringing and moral development. His or her surroundings. self-imageFake Watches. fears. and maturity are also factors brought into a marriage. Sometimes. these views can color the marriage and cause problems.AASexual problems in marriage should never be waived off or made fun of. Your spouse may be self-conscious of the issue already Watches. and pouring salt in the wound will not help resolve the problem. Instead Mont Blanc Watches Replica Zenith Watches. married couples need to work together to create solutions andFake Emporio Armani Watches. if necessary. accept reality.AAIn reality. a good sex life is an important part of keeping the spark burning. But the benefits are not just restricted to the marriage. Health experts contend that a good sex life can make people feel good about themselves and can actually improve one's overall health.AAHowever. some people who experience sex problems like erectile dysfunctionWenger Watches. hormonal imbalance. loss of desire due to a temporary condition (such as illness or pregnancy). inability to achieve orgasm Omega Watches . etc.. find "the spark" extremely difficult to maintain their marriage.AASex itself should never be an issue in marriage and having a good sexual relationship is advantageous to married couples. However. there are physical and other issues that can get in the way. Having sex problems is definitely something to talk about and should be resolved quickly.AATodayFake IWC Watches. there are many solutions available for most of the common sexual problems. This is definitely good news since health experts contend that sexual activity is 25%-30% better and more fulfilling for married couples than for singles.AAHowever. if you are having problems Fake Ulysse Nardin Watches . you may want to seek professional help. In the United Kingdom aloneBaume & Mercier Watches. the largest provider of sexual therapy is currently receiving 5.000 new patients each year having sexual problems.Aurthermore. statistics show that most people who attend some kind of sexual therapy can actually improve their marriage as well as their health. Almost 93% of those who have undergone sexual therapy have significantly improved their married life.AAMost marriage experts agree that healthy sexual activity can help mend a marriage that is nearing divorce. However Hublot Replica Watches . not all sexual problems can be resolved. It is important for every married couple to fully understand their partner's emotional and physical limitations.AAIf there are no remedies available to a partner's sexual problems Fake Jacob & Co. Watches . the spouse should accept that reality and not hold it against his or her partner. If love can remain the center of the relationship. sexual problems should not be a barrier to a lasting marriage.

Members of the Chattanooga Radio Control Club will send some of their favorite planes aloft Saturday at an event called Warbirds Over the Summit.

According to event director Paul C. Wright, scale replicas that emulate military aircraft "are far and away the most popular among modelers."

Known as warbirds, they may be based on any aircraft flown by any nationality during any period, he said. They range from the first flying machines adapted for observing troop movements in the opening days of World War I through modern jet fighters.

The models may be powered by electric motors, internal combustion engines or jet turbines. They range in size from small "park" flyers to giant scale models with wingspans greater than 8 feet and capable of speeds in excess of 100 mph.

The larger-scale planes performing Saturday represent an average investment of about $3,000, Wright said. Aircraft that fly at Summit Field are restricted to a maximum weight of 55 pounds, a maximum speed of 200 Replica Cartier Swiss Pasha Watches mph and maximum altitude of 500 feet.

Admission and parking are free. Food concessions will be available.

IF YOU GO

* What: Warbirds Over the Summit.

* When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.

* Where: Summit Field near Collegedale.

* Admission: Free.

* Website: .

DIRECTIONS

* From I-75: Take Exit 7 to Apison Pike (Route 317) and Collegedale. Go 2.5 miles to right turn onto Pattentown Road. After 1/2 mile, bear left onto Woodland Drive at the Trading Post. Follow about a mile to a left turn onto Landfill Road and airfield. Signs will be posted.

* For GPS users: The entrance to Summit Field is 4223 Old Woodland Drive, Ooltewah, Tenn., 37363.

It was an old-style family business where customers knew they could turn up and Ken would help them on the spot. Ken was born in Bath on February 9, 1926, and educated in the city, before serving in the Army during the Second World War in Italy, Holland and Germany.

After the war, he married Betty and they moved to Bristol a year later in 1950.

He worked in the electrical retail trade for a number of years before setting up his own shop in Fishponds in 1970 at the age of 44. His wife helped in the shop and together they built up a loyal band of customers.

They later opened a second shop in Bath in 1983 and Ken retired in 1999.

He remained active during his retirement but it was a blow to him when his wife was taken ill with dementia and moved to a care home in February this year.

His son, Stephen, father of Richard and Daniel, said: "He could be very funny and made everyone laugh. He could be very direct at times but everybody liked him."

A funeral service will be held at Haycombe Crematorium in Bath today at 11.30am.

AMP manages about $11 billion for investors.

World share markets were hit by the European sovereign debt crisis during the June quarter, and fears of a double-dip recession.

New Zealand and world shares fell around 10 per cent in the June quarter, offsetting positive returns for New Zealand and overseas bonds, in a mixed bag of investment results for the period.

But in July, share prices rebounded with AMP's growth and balanced equity funds making up half of their previous quarters' losses in the last few weeks. That set the scene for much better returns for the September quarter than in the June period, according to AMP Capital Investors head of investment strategy Jason Wong.

AMP does not expect a double- dip back into recession.

"While the risks for economic activity have increased recently, double-dip recessions are very rare and we believe the economic expansion can continue for some time yet," he said.

But there was a long list of "worry factors" for investors, including sovereign debt risks, households under financial stress and the need for government spending cutbacks in developed countries.

The unusually uncertain outlook made investing difficult and AMP expected a rocky path for share prices and modest returns across all asset classes in coming months, Mr Wong said. "The next year or two is going to be quite tough for the global economy."

Internationally, there is a strong link between economic growth and share price performance.

The economic recovery was below par in the main developed countries, but emerging markets were "experiencing a robust" recuperation.

The recovery in New Zealand was "tepid" by historical standards so far.

On a real, inflation-adjusted basis, gross domestic product per capita has only grown in the past two quarters, though the economy officially came out of recession a year ago. The recovery was export- led so far, with the domestic sector still struggling.

Despite a tepid recovery, Mr Wong still expected Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard to lift the official cash rate again today from 2.75 per cent to 3 per cent. The central bank was likely to keep lifting interest rates to a "neutral" level of about 4.5 per cent over time.

"We are at the very early stages of a tightening cycle, so it does not make any sense to be pausing. Clearly they will go tomorrow," Mr Wong said yesterday.

Unless there was global shock, Mr Wong did not expect a pause in rate rises, because underlying inflation was forecast to be close to 3 per cent. But Mr Wong said rising interest rates were already priced in and should not drive up the New Zealand dollar further.

"The fact that our Reserve Bank is tightening and others (overseas) are not, is an indication our economy is in better shape, because we are getting a boost from commodity prices going up and (our) links with China," Mr Wong said.

Returns

AMP returns for June quarter and year.

Conservative di
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"The overall response has been good. The kids are participating in large numbers. However, the women's Tiffany Necklace Frank-Gehry open category has got poor response," said tournament director watches-w Rahul Agarwal.

The event will be played in men's, women's, professionals, junior and sub-junior categories.

"For the second successive year, the event is being jointly sponsored by Kirloskar Oil Engines and Garware Wall Ropes," added Agarwal.

The tournament, which offers a total prize money of Rs3 lakh, will see top players like Sandeep Jangra, Vikas Jangra, Captain Agnihotri, Pune's Ravneet Singh and Abhinav Sinha, some of the big names of the game in action.

Credit:DNA Correspondent

Any team with that amount of flair, invention and willingness to attack deserves to succeed.

FIFA should also be grateful for Diego Maradona (left). Despite his distasteful rant at Pele and Michel Platini, he is sheer box office.

The Cheektowaga native retired in 1978 from Lehde Wholesale Florist on French Road in Cheektowaga. The business had 17 greenhouses.

Her husband, Curtis, died in 1987.

Surviving are GUCCI Clothing four daughters, Marjorie, Joan, Alice and Diane.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday in Fourteen Holy Helpers Catholic Church, 1345 Indian Church Road, West Seneca.

[LAKAMP]