The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 129,196 on Friday after new infections were confirmed in the country.

The province-wise break up of the total number of cases as of 10:00pm, June 12, is as follows:

Total confirmed cases: 129,196

• Sindh: 49,256

• Punjab: 47,382

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 15,415

• Balochistan: 7,673

• Islamabad Capital Territory: 6,699

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 1,044

• AJK: 534

Deaths: 2,496

• Punjab: 890

• Sindh: 793

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 642

• Balochistan: 80

• Islamabad Capital Territory: 65

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 16

• AJK: 10

More than 7.52 million people have been reported infected with the novel coronavirus globally and over 420,000 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

Read on for the latest updates from Pakistan and around the world.

Disclaimer: There may be some discrepancy in the number of confirmed cases reported at the country level due to differences in figures quoted by federal and provincial authorities.

Geo News is constantly gathering fresh information from concerned authorities and striving to keep our readers up to date with the most accurate information available.

Orange: General updates coming in from Pakistan

Red: Reports on new cases in Pakistan

Maroon: Reports on new deaths in Pakistan

Green: Reports on recovered patients in Pakistan

END OF LIVE UPDATES FOR JUNE 12

Live updates for June 13 to begin here.

11:57pm — Mexico City, Mexico — Social security institute says 344,526 jobs lost in May

The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) said that 344,526 jobs were lost in May among employees registered with the institute due to the coronavirus health crisis, Reuters reported.

IMSS, Mexico’s main public health service, said it had registered 19.58 million jobs through the end of May, of which 86.7% were permanent positions.

11:47pm — Geneva, Switzerland — Coronavirus hitting the Americas hardest, says WHO

The Americas are bearing the brunt of the global coronavirus pandemic at present, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, with North and South America currently having four of the 10 worst hit countries in the world, Reuters reported.

The disease was “highly active” in Central and South America, the WHO’s top emergency expert Mike Ryan said, highlighting problems in Brazil and Mexico.

The current situation in Brazil, now one of the global hot-spots for the virus, was of increasing concern especially in heavily-populated cities, he told a press conference.

The country’s health system was “still coping”, although some intensive care units were at a critical stage and under heavy pressure with more than 90% bed occupancy rates, Ryan said.

11:37pm — Abu Dhabi, UAE — Infections reach 41,499

11:13pm — Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh's cases at a glance

11:00pm — Beijing, China — New virus cases raise fears in capital

Beijing said it would delay primary school students returning to class after three fresh coronavirus cases emerged in the capital — the first after two months of no infections in the city, Reuters reported.

China has largely brought domestic coronavirus infections under control, and the majority of cases in recent months have been overseas nationals tested as they return home.

But local authorities announced one new case with no recent travel history outside the capital on Thursday, followed by two more cases on Friday.

The two latest patients are employees of the China Meat Research Centre, city officials said at a daily press conference.

10:45pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — 'Ambitious' budget to be adjusted if coronavirus crisis continues: Hafeez Shaikh

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said late Friday the "ambitious" Budget 2020-21 would have to be adjusted if the coronavirus crisis continued.

Responding to Geo News talk show host Shahzeb Khanzada's question of how it was possible to achieve a 27% increase in revenue, given the gross domestic product (GDP) rate being 2.1% and an inflation of 6.5%, Shaikh said he agreed with the anchorperson because it "does seem ambitious at the moment".

"You're right, it seems ambitious right now. There's so much uncertainty about the future so we cannot say much. If corona [virus crisis] continues and its severity increases and the lockdown in some way or the other goes on, then this will need to be adjusted," the adviser noted.

Read complete story here.

10:11pm — Gilgit, Pakistan — GB's cases at a glance

10:00pm — Gilgit, Pakistan — GB reports one death, 14 new infections

9:53pm — Montreal, Canada — With 'lone wolf' event and wide space, Canada's COVID-19 capital looks to tempt tourists

Quebec, the Canadian province hit hardest by the coronavirus outbreak, is touting its vast spaces, “lone wolf” running event, and “end of the road” trails to travellers as a center for social distancing, tourism executives said, Reuters reported.

Quebec aims to spur demand among its own residents, while looking to tourists from neighboring province Ontario and the United States when travel restrictions relax.

“We have such a large amount of space that we can easily respect social distancing,” said Martin Soucy, director general of tourism-group, Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec.

Quebec is now working to save its summer season. The province attracted 96 million travelers who spent C$14.4 billion ($10.59 billion) in 2018, the government estimates.

Space for socially-distant activities would be part of a broader plan unveiled later this month to attract Canadian tourists to Quebec, Soucy added.

Social distancing inspired a new “end of the road” campaign in Quebec’s north coast, featuring remote hiking trails where “you don’t need to do anything special to avoid one another,” said Mario Leblanc, director of a tourism association in the region.

9:42pm — Ottawa, Canada — Canada to mandate temperature checks for airline passengers, Trudeau says

Canada will make it a requirement to take airline passengers’ temperatures before they fly and anyone with a fever will not be allowed to travel, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, Reuters reported.

“Temperature checks will not be detecting people with COVID-19,” Trudeau said in a news conference. “It’s an extra layer of safety to encourage those who might feel sick to stay home.”

WATCH: WHO gives an update on coronavirus

Luxury food industry turns sour amid global coronavirus lockdowns

Global demand for premium foods like wagyu beef, bluefin tuna and caviar has plunged with thousands of restaurants shuttered and many economies sliding into recession amid the coronavirus pandemic, Reuters reported.

As strict lockdown measures to contain the outbreak ravage global economic activity, the luxury food industry could be among the worst hit since it heavily relies on restaurants and top hotels for demand for deluxe items from caviar to champagne.

While some gourmet food producers are tapping consumers directly to stay afloat, others have been forced to cut output as some products have lost nearly half their value since the start of the year.

Jean-Marie Barillere, co-chairman of champagne producers’ lobby CIVC in France, said he hoped people would celebrate the easing of lockdown with a bottle of champagne, but expected a difficult end to the year.

“This is really a period that looks like a war time,” he said.

Read complete story here.

9:06pm — Quetta, Pakistan — Balochistan reports five deaths, 193 new  infections

9:00pm — Islamabad, Pakistan —  Amid COVID-19 PM Imran has given a budget which is compassionate and realistic: Shibli Faraz

8:50pm — Sydney, Australia — Australia eliminates coronavirus in many areas, to ease curbs

Australia has eliminated the novel coronavirus in many parts of the country, its chief medical officer said on Friday, clearing the way for sports fans to soon return to stadiums and for foreign students to prepare to fly back to classes, Reuters reported.

Australia recorded just 38 cases of the coronavirus over the past week, with travellers returning from overseas and already in quarantine accounting for more than half of them, said Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy.

“We have effectively achieved elimination at this time in many parts of the country,” Murphy told reporters.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison last month announced a three-step plan to remove most lockdown measures by July.

But with case numbers falling significantly, Morrison said restrictions on indoor gatherings would be loosened in July with crowds of up 10,000 people allowed in seated stadiums and a trial scheme to allow foreign students to return.

8:44pm — London, UK — Fashion Week opens without catwalks amid coronavirus pandemic

London Fashion Week opened but without catwalk shows due to the coronavirus pandemic, which is leading to a rethink of the seasonal event and reinventing the whole industry, AFP reported.

In addition to the 100 percent digital format, this Fashion Week — usually dedicated to men's collections — will mix genres, an innovation that will continue post-pandemic.

For the first time since it was conceived in 1983, there will be no models parading new collections before crowds at the biannual event.

Instead, some designers, such as the duo JORDANLUCA, will present their spring/summer 2021 collections or smaller "capsule" collections by video.

8:36pm — New Delhi, India — India's cricket tour of Zimbabwe called off over coronavirus

 India called off their cricket tour of Zimbabwe over the coronavirus on Friday, a day after their upcoming trip to Sri Lanka was also cancelled, AFP reported.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India added that it would not "rush into any decision" about resuming training camps for India's players.

After Sri Lanka's board revealed on Thursday that this month's visit by India was off, the tour of Zimbabwe in August had also looked in jeopardy.

Read complete story here.

8:30pm — Aden, Yemen — Coronavirus death rates are worse than its wartime fatalities

8:23pm — Peshawar, Pakistan — KP reports 10 deaths, 628 new infections

8:02pm — Coronavirus 'still very much here', Matthew Perry reminds fans

Actor and comedian Matthew Perry has reminded fans that novel coronavirus is still very much with us and nothing has changed when it comes to that although restrictions were eased.

The Friends star turned to Instagram and shared an adorable picture of beach and wrote, “Just a FRIENDly reminder that Covid is still very much with us.”

He went on to say “Nothing has changed when it comes to that. Just because bars and restaurants are opening up, it does not mean that they are safe.”

Read complete story here.

7:53pm — Lahore, Pakistan — Ali Zafar urges PM Imran to impose lockdown 

Ali Zafar urged Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to impose a 15-day lockdown in Lahore because the city has become a hot spot for coronavirus.

Taking to Twitter, the singer said the increasing number of infections are putting unbearable pressure on the healthcare system.

Read complete story here.

7:47pm — London, UK — Economy takes 25% hit from COVID, recovery seen slow

Britain’s economy shrank by a quarter over March and April as entire sectors were shuttered by the coronavirus lockdown, in what looks likely to be the bottom of a “catastrophic” crash before a long and slow recovery, Reuters reported.

In a slump dwarfing previous downturns, the economy contracted by 20.4% in April from March, when it shrank by nearly 6%. It was 24.5% smaller than in April 2019.

Both of April’s readings represented bigger declines than the unprecedentedly weak forecasts in a Reuters poll of economists. The Office for National Statistics said the economy had shrunk back to its size in 2002.

“This is catastrophic, literally on a scale never seen before in history,” Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank, said. “The real issue is what happens next.”

7:32pm — Researchers ask if survivor plasma could prevent coronavirus

Questions over virus models that prompted lockdowns

When the novel coronavirus began to circulate globally at the beginning of March, scientists turned to statistical models to predict the severity of the pandemic. The news was stark, AFP reported.

The epidemiological models showed that COVID-19 could infect hundreds of millions of people and kill millions worldwide, prompting governments to enter lockdown in a bid to avoid the worst.

Now, as much of Europe gingerly exits confinement, questions are being asked about the methods used and the results produced in the calculations that shocked authorities into taking unprecedented measures to enforce social distancing.

"We gave far too much weight to the models," Jean-Francois Toussaint, director of France's Irmes medical research center told AFP.

"These mathematical models depend on too many factors to be accurate," he said.

7:09pm — London, UK — Britain unveils plans to impose EU border checks in stages

Britain will introduce border checks with the European Union in stages from January 1, reversing an original plan so it can now give companies struggling with the coronavirus crisis more time to fill out forms and pay tariffs, Reuters reported.

The government said for the first six months of 2021 the new requirements would be introduced in stages, recognising the impact of COVID-19 as companies prepare for new customs systems with Britain’s biggest trading partner.

This is a U-turn from February when Britain said it planned to introduce import controls on EU goods at the border once a status-quo transition period with the EU ends on Dec.ember 31.

Companies have long called on the government to give them more clarity about what new border checks will be in force, with critics saying Britain was not ready to operate its own customs system, lacking both the personnel and infrastructure.

But the government said it would not extend the transition period that began when Britain left the bloc in January. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove, speaking before his department announced the new measures, said London had informed the EU of this on Friday.

7:02pm — London, UK — Risk of new lockdowns rises with fear of second COVID-19 wave

Fears of a second wave of COVID-19 infections grew on Friday with a record daily increase in India, warnings against complacency in Europe and word from half a dozen U.S. states that their hospital beds were filling up fast.

Health officials worldwide have expressed concerns in recent days that some countries grappling with the devastating economic impact of lockdowns may lift restrictions too swiftly, and that the coronavirus could spread during mass anti-racism protests.

Wall Street took its biggest dive in three months on Thursday on worries of a resurgence and on Friday, shares around the world extended a four-day losing streak.

In China, where the new coronavirus originated, two new cases of COVID-19, the disease it causes, were recorded in the capital, a day after the city government delayed plans for some students to return to school.

India opened most public transport, offices and malls this week after nearly 70 days even though health officials said it was weeks away from flattening the rising infection curve.

Read complete story here.

6:56pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — Centre formulates Rs70 billion package to mitigate coronavirus's affect

6:30pm — New Delhi, India — Slow start for India's ambitious plan to resuscitate small businesses

India’s ambitious plan to provide some 3 trillion rupees ($39.5 billion) in loans to small businesses to boost an economy ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic has got off to a slow start with banks disbursing only a tiny fraction of the available funds, Reuters reported.

Lenders have paid out just 122 billion rupees, barely 4% of the sum earmarked, and approved loans worth 242.60 billion rupees since the third week of May, according to finance ministry data released on Thursday.

A senior finance ministry official accepted that according to feedback received from the industry, the scheme is facing several problems, and the government is trying to convince bankers to implement the scheme in “letter and spirit”.

However, a senior banker at a public bank also said there had been a clear lack of demand because of the country’s lockdown.

“Businesses don’t want to avail themselves of it so the traction has been low,” he said.

6:08pm — Paris, France — Rain stops play for COVID-hit cafes

Guillaume Artru, co-owner of a Paris restaurant, has seen his business battered first by COVID-19, then by one of Europe’s strictest lockdown regimes, and now by a new adversary: the weather.

The government eased lockdown restrictions on June 2, allowing French restaurants, bars and cafes to reopen after weeks of coronavirus-enforced shutdown.

But in Paris, customers can only be served at outdoor seating. Several days of overcast and rainy weather have turned alfresco dining into a soggy proposition.

“We’re too dependent on the weather,” said Artru at his restaurant Le Garde Temps. “We cannot let our clients come inside and lately since we’ve reopened the weather has not been good.”

Across Paris this week, some cafegoers were toughing out the weather by wrapping up in coats and scarves. Restaurant awnings kept some of the rain off.

Read complete story here.

6:03pm — Kiev, Ukraine — President's wife tests positive for coronavirus

Olena, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said on Friday she had tested positive for coronavirus but her husband and their two children had tested negative.

“Today I received a positive test for coronavirus. Unexpected news. Especially considering that I and my family continue to follow all the rules - masks, gloves, a minimum of contacts,” Zelenska wrote on Facebook.

She said she felt well, was not hospitalised, but was isolating from her husband and children.

5:56pm — Islamabad, Pakistan — ICT's cases at a glance 

5:50pm — London, UK — Britain's Johnson says wasn't surprised by economic plunge

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said figures showing the economy had plunged by a quarter in the March-April period had not come as a surprise because it was always going to hit a country that is dependent on services, Reuters reported.

“These figures came as no surprise to us because we’ve always recognised that this wasn’t going to be just a public health crisis but also a really serious crisis for our economy,” he told broadcasters.

“Coronavirus is likely to hit a country like the UK economically very hard, we depend on services, on human contact ... but we’re also a very resilient and a dynamic economy and we will bounce back.”

3:45pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh reports over 2,000 cases, carries out over 11,000 tests

Nationwide positive cases of coronavirus rose to 128,361 after new cases were reported in Sindh.

According to Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab, 2,428 people tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours.

Sindh also carried out over 11,000 tests in the last 24 hours.

The new cases takes the provincial tally of positive cases to 49,256.

3:45pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Countrywide death toll rises to 2,480

Nationwide death toll from the coroanvirus rose to 2,480 after new deaths were reported in Sindh.

According to Sindh govt spokesperson Murtaza Wahab, 17 new deaths were recorded in province taking the provincial tally to 793.

3:25pm - Lahore, Pakistan — Punjab Government to strictly implement SOPs: Aleem Khan

The Punjab Government has decided to strictly implement the SOPs, shared provincial minister Aleem Khan on Friday.

According to the minister in case of violations markets and shops will be sealed at once. 

2:40pm - London, UK — EU experts see some risk of return to lockdown in COVID-19 second wave

The risk of a second wave of COVID-19 infections big enough to require European lockdowns to be reimposed is moderate to high, EU health experts said on Friday, and depends on the gradual easing of restrictions and how people stick to them.

A pandemic risk assessment by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control also predicted a moderate pick-up in infection rates in the coming weeks, although it said transmission has passed its peak in most European countries.

“The pandemic is not over,” ECDC director Andrea Ammon said in a statement accompanying the assessment.

She said that while there are decreasing trends of COVID-19 infections across Europe, efforts are still needed to limit the spread of the disease.

“It is important to comply with recommendations regarding physical distancing and maintain high standards of hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette,” she said. “Everyone’s contribution makes a difference.”

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2:25pm - Balochistan govt shares video on how people can utilize their energies to avoid depression 

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2:00pm - Actemra has no activity against virus: Medical expert 

1:40pm - London, UK — BA, easyJet and Ryanair launch legal action against UK quarantine

British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair have launched legal action against the UK government’s quarantine policy, asking for a judicial review to be heard as soon as possible.

The airlines said earlier this week they would try to end the 14-day quarantine rule for international arrivals, which they say will deter travel and threaten more jobs just as the battered aviation industry was hoping for a recovery.

Lawyers have said the government would have to show the scientific evidence that underpinned the need for a quarantine if judges allow a judicial review to go ahead.

Britain’s chief scientist said earlier in June that politicians decided the policy, adding quarantines worked best for restricting travel from countries with high infection rates.

1:20pm - Karachi, Pakistan — Sindh government ro establish more ICUs and HDUs in Karachi 

The Sindh government has decided to establish ICUs and HDUs in the province’s worst-hit city Karachi.

The decision was taken by a meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah which was also attended by the health minister and chief secretary of the province.

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Latest data from five-worst hit countries 

12:50am - Islamabad, Pakistan — Govt developing package for frontline healthcare workers: SAPM Dr Zafar Mirza

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza shared that the federal government, in coordination with all the other provinces, is working on developing a package for frontline health workers.

Dr Mirza, while addressing a press conference, shared that the provincial health ministers and experts are being consulted on the package. 

12:10pm - Lahore, Pakistan — PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq tests positive for virus: PML-N

Former National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq has tested positive for the coronavirus, announced the media cell of his party PML-N.

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12:00pm - DRAP approves Pakistan's first COVID testing kit 

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Coronavirus closes down world most powerful telescopes 

11:15am - Tokyo, Japan — Japan's economy is bottoming out, eyes on recovery: finance minister

Japan’s economy appears to have hit bottom and is eyeing a recovery from the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, its finance minister said, underscoring cautious optimism spreading among policymakers after the relaxation of lockdown measures.

The remarks come ahead of next week’s rate review by the Bank of Japan, which is likely to hold off on expanding stimulus and stick to its view the world’s third-largest economy is headed for a gradual recovery.

“We’ve succeeded in putting a floor on the economy, which seems to have hit bottom. How strong the recovery will be depends not just on domestic conditions but overseas developments,” Finance Minister Taro Aso told parliament on Friday.

He added that conditions surrounding Japan’s economy will remain “severe” for the time being due to risks such as the chance of a second wave of infections.

10:35am - Quetta, Pakistan — Advisor to CM on Sports Abdul Khaliq recovers from coronavirus

Advisor to Chief Minister Balochistan on Culture, Tourism, Archives and Sports Abdul Khaliq recovered form the coronavirus after testing negative for the disease, said a spokesperson on Friday.

The spokesperson added that Khaliq has been discharged from the hospital after testing negative for the virus.

10:00am — Islamabad, Pakistan — Death toll rises to 2,463

Death toll from novel coronavirus climbed to 2,463 in Pakistan after new deaths were reported in the country.

According to the national dashboard, three new deaths were recorded in Islamabad and one new death was reported in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

10:00am — Islamabad, Pakistan — Positive cases rises to 125,933

Confirmed cases in the country jumped to 125,933 after new cases were reported in Islamabad.

According to the national dashboard, 463 new cases were reported in in Islamabad.

As of now, 47,382 cases have been reported in Punjab, 46,828 in Sindh, 15,787 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 7,673 Balochistan, 6,699 Islamabad, 1,030 Gilgit Baltistan and 534 in Azad Kashmir.