UN economists announced a likely USD 50 billion drop in the worldwide manufacturing exports in February alone as the extent of the damage to the global economy caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) moved further into focus. Citing the China Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI), Pamela Coke-Hamilton, who heads UNCTAD's Division on International Trade and Commodities, said that it had fallen to 37.5 -- a drop of about 20 points -- the lowest reading since 2004. "This also correlates directly to exports and also implies a two per cent drop in overall exports," she said, with a resulting "ripple effect" worldwide "to the tune of a USD 50 billion fall in exports."
Juventus regained the Serie A lead after Alessandro Del Piero scored a late free kick on his 700th appearance for the club to seal a 2-1 home win over Lazio on Wednesday.
Rafael Nadal rallied from a set down to ease past Fabio Fognini 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 in the Italian Open quarter-finals on Friday and set up a mouth-watering clash against long-time adversary Novak Djokovic for a place in Sunday's final. Djokovic plotted a similar path to the Spanish clay-court king when the Serb lost the first set against Japan's Kei Nishikori before recovering to win 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 and seal an open-era record 51st career meeting against Nadal.
Argentina's Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso, overlooked by coach Diego Maradona for the World Cup, and playmaker Andres d'Alessandro were recalled to the national team squad on Friday.
Former Real youth player Joselu pulled a goal back for Alaves in the 59th minute, powering in a header from a free kick, but Benzema rounded off the victory for second-placed Real with an exquisite solo run and goal in the 70th minute.
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had a solid game in his first appearance since the World Cup as his side eliminated Catania with a 2-0 home win in the Italian Cup last 16 on Thursday.
An Italian court indicted former Giro d'Italia winner Damiano Cunego and 26 others on doping charges involving his Lampre-Merida team on Friday, in a new blow for a sport dogged by drug scandals.
Andy Murray has been the standout performer on clay for the past 12 months but world number one Novak Djokovic will be favourite to complete his set of grand slams at this year's French Open. Murray, according to the ATP Performance Zone stats, has won 85 percent of his matches on the red dust this year and last, more than any other player. Having been at 70 percent for the first 10 years of his career, the improvement demonstrates just how at home the Briton now feels on a surface he once treated with suspicion. His victory over Djokovic in Sunday's Italian Open final may have been aided by his opponent's energy levels being drained after a gruelling semi-final win over Kei Nishikori the night before. But it also was a timely statement of intent from the world number two, who recently split with coach Amelie Mauresmo.
A first-half goal from new signing Alessandro Matri gave Juventus a sweet 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in the derby of Italy on Sunday, dealing a huge blow to their opponents' bid to win a sixth successive scudetto.
Inter Milan's lead at the top of Serie A was cut when they lost 2-1 at home to Lazio on Sunday while AS Roma beat Genoa 2-0 to record their first win in eight games and ease the pressure on under-fire coach Rudi Garcia.
As Washington, DC, prepares to celebrate July Fourth with a military "Salute to America" that will feature military bands, a parade and flyovers from the US Navy's Blue Angels and Air Force One, here's a look at other countries that hold military marches.
The deal to sell top-flight Italian soccer team AC Milan to a consortium of Chinese investors will be completed at the beginning of December or even earlier, two sources told Reuters on Friday. In August former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi signed a preliminary agreement valuing the club at 740 million euros ($822 million), including 220 million euros of debt. The deadline for completing the deal had been originally set for the end of this year.
The supermodel, who is expecting her third child, has shed her clothes for fashion bible Vogue.
FIFA has changed its rule on yellow-card amnesties at the World Cup to reduce the chances of big name players missing out on the July 11 final.
India's two rival football leagues will merge within five years and will be profitable not long after, a senior official at the country's football association said on Wednesday.
Formula One legend Michael Schumacher, who is still recovering from his 2013 skiing crash, is on the way to positive recovery.
Inter Milan's title challenge faltered when they were held 1-1 at Atalanta in Serie A on Saturday but goalkeeper Samir Handanovic at least saved them from suffering a defeat. The home side took the lead in the 17th minute when JeisonMurillo scored an own goal. Inter equalised in the 25th when Atalanta defender Rafael Toloi repeated the feat by slicing the ball past his own goalkeeper. The draw meant Inter missed the opportunity to replace Napoli as Serie A leaders, if only briefly. Instead, they are in second place on 40 points, one behind the leaders who were meeting Sassuolo later on Saturday.
Liverpool diced with elimination before scoring two late goals to win 2-1 at Trabzonspor and squeeze into the Europa League on Thursday while Swiss second division side Lausanne came through with a shock win over Lokomotiv Moscow.
Photos from the Champions League match played between Real Madrid and AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday
Portugal became the first team to qualify for the Nations League semi-finals when they held Italy 0-0 on Saturday, the second time in a year that the hosts have been knocked out of a competition following a goalless draw at the San Siro.
AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta has had surgery for a fractured arm and should recover for their opening Serie A home game against Lecce on August 29, the club said on its website (www.acmilan.com).
Lionel Messi scored a 50th freekick goal for Barcelona as he led his side to a quick-fire comeback to win 3-2 at Valencia on Sunday and keep the pressure on La Liga title rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
The AIFF also asked its state units not to allow their players to participate in the 'unauthorised and unofficial Futsal league'.
He has not played since the last group game against Czech Republic when he picked up a groin injury.
Juventus's Montenegro striker Mirko Vucinic has been left out of their squad for the trip to Lazio in Serie A on Saturday (1945 GMT) after his move to Inter Milan fell through this week.
Brazilian winger Anderson wants to help Fiorentina qualify for next season's Champions League after he completed his loan move from Manchester United.
Usain Bolt managed to upstage the first weekend of Australia's A-League season without kicking a ball after his agent said he had been offered a professional contract by the Central Coast Mariners.
In an exclusive chat, Del Piero tells Rediff.com's Laxmi Negi of his urge to entertain fans and his interest in understanding India and its culture.
According to him, the US-led investigations into corruption at FIFA had pierced the veil of secrecy that protected football's top power-brokers and more dominoes could be expected, Stuff.co.nz reported.
Embattled FIFA President Sepp Blatter has told a Swiss newspaper that continental confederations, rather than soccer's world governing body, were to blame for the corruption scandal engulfing the game.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has defended his decision to use the same starting side in all three Euro 2016 games so far.
Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes has signed a marquee deal to play for the next three editions of Premier Futsal, with the inaugural season scheduled to be held next month, the League announced, on Thursday.
Iceland's last-ditch defending, never-say-die attitude and a touch of luck was just too much for Austria's inexperienced side, beaten coach Marcel Koller said.
Prakash Amritraj advanced to the doubles quarter-finals of the Italy ATP Challenger event along with his partner but curtains were drawn on the campaign of Harsh Mankad in Bergamo in Italy.
Thousands of fans and dozens of players turned out on Thursday to say goodbye to Fiorentina captain and Italy international Davide Astori, who died suddenly at the age of 31 on Sunday.
Juventus ended their poor run with a 3-0 home win over Napoli in the Italian Cup last 16 on Wednesday but Diego's opener caused huge controversy.
Two goals from Ronaldinho helped AC Milan to a 3-0 win at toothless Juventus on Sunday which piled the pressure on Juve's rookie coach Ciro Ferrara.
Goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon announced his retirement as the Azzurris unable to qualify for first time since 1958.
AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli has been given a three-match ban for his sending-off at the end of Sunday's 2-1 home defeat by Napoli, the Italian league said in a statement on Monday.
A 23-year-old Indian footballer has died from severe spinal cord damage after attempting to celebrate a goal with a somersault, an official said on Monday.
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