1.   Interest rates, which are near-historic lows, have been fickle lately, and a sudden upturn could drive affordability down even further, Krueger said.

2.   One reason is the sudden upturn in prospects for defense spending related to the war against terrorists.

3.   Smith cautioned that there could be a sudden upturn.

4.   Watters said the department was becoming increasingly alarmed at the sudden upturn in arrivals of Chinese boat people.

5.   Two bombs erupted in Karachi on Wednesday in a sudden upturn in political violence that has hit the city.