Around the World's Markets: NEW YORK

WALL STREET fell as the US strikes against Afghanistan and Sudan added to investor jitters. The Dow closed down 81.87 points, almost 1 per cent, at 8,611.41. Traders felt stocks would be resilient as long as the military action did not escalate.

On the New York exchange, declining issues led advances by two-to-one on moderate volume of 620 million shares. Investors remain nervous about Russia and, closer to home, talk of devaluation in Venezuela.