Around the World's Markets: RUSSIA

RUSSIA's main RTS index closed down 6.40 per cent at 61.43, just above its all-time low of 61.15 on a minute turnover of $1.18m. Dealers said investors, badly burnt Westerners in particular, are not expected to return until the country's desperate economic and political situation has been solved.

The Russian central bank set its official rouble-dollar rate for September 4 at 13.4608 to the dollar, weaker than the previous 12.8198. The rouble has now slid 52 per cent since the August 17 "devaluation".