1.   Others believe that crime in the area is on the rise, pointing to a recent upturn in bank robberies.

2.   Al-Sayari said the improvement was due to the recent upturn in oil prices as well as expansion of the private sector.

3.   He said the outlook was based on a survey taken before a recent upturn of the dollar and Tokyo stocks.

4.   The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, or CIPS, said the recent upturn in confidence among manufacturers had helped boost demand for services.

5.   The larger-than-expected drop keeps a dark shadow of uncertainty over the economy, despite a recent upturn in stocks.

6.   The ministry official said international LPG prices were bolstered sharply, surpassing the magnitude of the recent upturn in crude oil prices.

7.   But Kubo told reporters he had instructed ministry officials to investigate the cause of the recent upturn.