DHAKA: Shares around the world have seen further falls, sparked by renewed fears over the health of the global economy.

In China, the authorities intervened again on the stock market to little effect. Shares in Shanghai fell 3.4%, reports bbc.com

And expectations of a US interest rate rise dimmed after the Federal Reserve said the economy was not ready yet.

In the US, the Dow Jones closed down more than 2%, while markets in Paris and Frankfurt also fell more than 2%. The UK's FTSE 100 closed down 0.56%.

Oil prices had a mixed day. After dropping at first - adding to steep falls seen on Wednesday - US crude recovered to stand up 20 cents at $41.47 a barrel, although Brent crude was down 54 cents at $46.62.

Although oil prices appeared to stabilise on Thursday, they had fallen sharply on Wednesday following the release of data showing that US oil stockpiles were higher than expected.

The price of oil has more than halved over the past year, due to a combination of increased supplies and slowing demand.

The low oil prices are creating pressures on economies that are dependent on oil revenues.

BDST:  0831 HRS, AUG 21, 2015
RS