Latest news with #Zafar
NBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Retailers log $7.9 billion in online sales in first 24 hours of Prime Day
U.S. online sales jumped 9.9% year over year to $7.9 billion on Tuesday, the kickoff of Amazon 's Prime Day megasale, according to Adobe Analytics. At that level, it marks the 'single biggest e-commerce day so far this year,' Adobe said. It also eclipsed total online spending during Thanksgiving last year, when sales on the holiday reached $6.1 billion. Amazon's Prime Day bargain blitz began on Tuesday and lasts through Friday. The event, first launched in 2015 as a way to hook new Prime members, has pushed other retailers to launch counterprogramming. Walmart 's six-day deals event also started Tuesday, while Target Circle Week kicked off on Sunday and Best Buy launched a Black Friday in July promotion that began Monday. Home and outdoor goods showed signs of strong demand during the first day of Amazon's discount event, said Kashif Zafar, CEO of Xnurta, an advertising platform that serves more than 20,000 online businesses. Other historically well-performing categories such as beauty and household essentials saw softer demand early on, but could see demand pick up as Prime Day continues, he added. 'Early Prime Day numbers might look soft compared to last year's surge, but it's too early to call the event a miss,' Zafar said in an email. 'With four days instead of two, we're seeing a different rhythm, consumers are spreading out their purchases.' Adobe expects online sales to reach $23.8 billion across all retailers during the 96-hour event, a level that's 'equivalent to two Black Fridays.' U.S. online shoppers spent $14.2 billion during the 48-hour Prime Day event last year, according to Adobe. This year's Prime Day is landing at an uncertain time for retailers and consumers as they grapple with the fallout of President Donald Trump 's unpredictable tariff policies. U.S. consumer confidence worsened in June after improving in May as Americans remained concerned about the tariffs' effect on the economy and prices, according to the Conference Board. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said last month the company hasn't seen prices 'appreciably go up' on its site as a result of tariffs. Some third-party sellers previously told CNBC they were considering raising or had already raised the price of some of their products manufactured in China as the cost of tariffs became burdensome.
CNBC
09-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Retailers log $7.9 billion in online sales in first 24 hours of Prime Day
U.S. online sales jumped 9.9% year over year to $7.9 billion on Tuesday, the kickoff of Amazon's Prime Day megasale, according to Adobe Analytics. At that level, it marks the "single biggest e-commerce day so far this year," Adobe said. It also eclipsed total online spending during Thanksgiving last year, when sales on the holiday reached $6.1 billion. Amazon's Prime Day bargain blitz began on Tuesday and lasts through Friday. The event, first launched in 2015 as a way to hook new Prime members, has pushed other retailers to launch counterprogramming. Walmart's six-day deals event also started Tuesday, while Target Circle Week kicked off on Sunday and Best Buy launched a Black Friday in July promotion that began on Monday. Home and outdoor goods showed signs of strong demand during the first day of Amazon's discount event, said Kashif Zafar, CEO of Xnurta, an advertising platform that serves more than 20,000 online businesses. Other historically well-performing categories like beauty and household essentials saw softer demand early on, but could see demand pick up as Prime Day continues, he added. "Early Prime Day numbers might look soft compared to last year's surge, but it's too early to call the event a miss," Zafar said in an email. "With four days instead of two, we're seeing a different rhythm, consumers are spreading out their purchases." Adobe expects online sales to reach $23.8 billion across all retailers during the 96-hour event, a level that's "equivalent to two Black Fridays." U.S. online shoppers spent $14.2 billion during the 48-hour Prime Day event last year, according to Adobe. This year's Prime Day is landing at an uncertain time for retailers and consumers as they grapple with the fallout of President Donald Trump's unpredictable tariff policies. U.S. consumer confidence worsened in June after improving in May as Americans remained concerned about the tariffs' impact on the economy and prices, according to the Conference Board. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said last month the company hasn't seen prices "appreciably go up" on its site as a result of tariffs. Some third-party sellers previously told CNBC they were considering raising or had already raised the price of some of their products manufactured in China as the cost of tariffs became burdensome.
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Did you know Detective Sherdil producer Ali Abbas Zafar made his OTT debut with THIS Ananya Panday film?
Streaming of Z5's newest original film, Detective Sherdil, starring Diljit Dosanjh, has begun today, June 20, 2025. Ali Abbas Zafar, the film's producer, who made his producing debut with 2020's Khaali Peeli, now made his return to Z5 (OTTplay Premium) after five long years. Catch Diljit Dosanjh at his entertaining best in Jatt & Juliet 3, Jodi, and Babe Bhangra Paunde Ne—now streaming on OTTplay Premium. Ali Abbas Zafar, who had previously directed blockbuster theatrical features like Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai, made his digital production debut with the Z5 original Khaali Peeli, which featured Ananya Panday and Ishaan Khatter. A pioneer among mainstream audiences' first forays into direct-to-digital distribution, the film debuted during the COVID-19 pandemic when theatres were closed. In the time after, Zafar maintained a consistent rate of production and directing. He oversaw the production and directing of the historical drama Jogi in 2022, which starred Diljit Dosanjh and was based on the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. Due to its delicate treatment of the issue, the Netflix original film launched to positive reviews. An action film directed by Zafar and featuring Shahid Kapoor, Bloody Daddy debuted on now-JioHotstar in 2023. The stylised treatment and digital-first distribution of the high-octane thriller, which was adapted from the French film "Sleepless Night," garnered attention. In 2024, Zafar helmed the massive action entertainer Bade Miyan Chote Miyan that hit theatres. Returning to big-screen extravaganzas after a string of streaming releases, the film featured Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. Detective Sherdil marks Zafar's return to the OTT, albeit this time he is producing genre-based stories rather than directing or producing big-budget films. Diljit Dosanjh brings a lighter side to Zafar's filmography with his comic-investigative part. Not only that, but it shows that he is still actively involved with digital platforms outside of his theatre work. While the film adds to his production credits, it also reflects the increasing overlap between theatrical names and streaming platforms—a trend that continues to shape release strategies across the industry.
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
GDP figure based on old data
Listen to article Pakistan's Chief Statistician Dr Naeemuz Zafar said Thursday that the 2.7% economic growth estimate for this fiscal year is based on a 15-year-old livestock survey and assumes full utilisation of the Rs1.1 trillion development budget. While responding to questions about the controversy over this year's economic growth figure along with Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Dr Zafar claimed that there would be no major downward revision in the 2.7% figure for the outgoing fiscal year. Iqbal also proposed a new formula for resource distribution under the National Finance Commission (NFC), moving away from the current population-centric model. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS)'s chief statistician called objections to the 2.7% growth rate "unfortunate" and said if a committee is formed to investigate, the PBS is ready to appear. The government claims a 2.7% GDP growth this year, which independent economists have disputed, estimating it to be closer to 2%. A major objection concerns the 4.8% livestock sector growth. The livestock sector's 4.8% growth was based on a survey conducted back in 2010, admitted Dr Zafar, adding that there was no deviation from the standard methodology. When asked how the agriculture sector showed 0.6% growth despite a 14% output decline in major crops, Dr Zafar said the growth was driven by livestock, forestry and minor crops. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth figure has been worked out in a transparent manner by following a methodology endorsed by the United Nations and the international financial institutions, he said. He also confirmed a new agriculture and livestock census has been completed but awaits the planning minister's approval due to his budget commitments. He added that the Household Integrated Economic Survey, Labour Force Survey, and agriculture census would be ready by October for the next National Accounts Committee (NAC) meeting. Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan raised the disputed GDP issue during the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance meeting held on Thursday. In a statement, the statistician also stated PBS used the full Rs1.1 trillion federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) figure for GDP calculationshighlighting a glaring methodological flaw. However, Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal told the same committee that against the Rs1.1 trillion PSDP allocation, only Rs662 billion had been spent so far. He added that by June-end, spending would remain below the revised Rs967 billion figure. When asked whether the GDP would be drastically revised in the next NAC meeting, Dr Zafar again said no major revision was expected. Speaking at the meeting, the planning minister said the country was on a path to steady economic recovery with a goal of sustainable economic growth. Iqbal added that Pakistan continues to face structural problems of fiscal constraints. Due to limited space, next year's federal PSDP will be just 0.8% of GDPdown from 2.6% seven years ago. The planning minister noted that the federal government's Rs11 trillion net revenues were barely enough to cover defence and debt servicing. "With limited tax contributions, people cannot hope for international standard facilities," said Iqbal. He also called for reforming the NFC award by shifting away from the predominantly population-based distribution formula with broader indicators like education and forestation. Iqbal is the second federal minister after the finance minister to propose a shift in the NFC criteria this week. Currently, 82% of total resources are allocated based on population, which Iqbal argued incentivises population growth, harming national interests. He said the Planning Commission would recommend shifting to a broader formula that rewards education and forest preservation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he added, has decided to constitute a Pakistan Population Council, comprising provincial chief ministers, to design strategies for population control. Pakistan's annual population growth rate stands at 2.6% — nearly equal to this year's GDP growth rate. Responding to a question whether the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) took him into confidence before imposing taxes on the digital economy, Iqbal said these were levied with the intent to create a level playing field for conventional retailers. Commenting on the upcoming PSDP, Iqbal said Rs230 billion had been allocated for Balochistan projects from the Rs1 trillion envelope. Despite limited resources, the government would invest more in water reservoirs. He said Diamer Basha Dam with 6 million acre-feet capacity and Mohmand Dam with 1 million acre-feet would be completed by 2030 to mitigate water shortages caused by potential Indian efforts to block Pakistan's share of water. Iqbal added that construction of Diamer Basha Dam would be advanced by two years with increased investment, aiming for completion by 2030 in response to regional water developments. Due to budget constraints, funding for the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has been reduced to Rs39.5 billion. Iqbal suggested provinces should bear the responsibility of funding universities.
Mint
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Detective Sherdil OTT release date: Where and when to watch Diljit Dosanjh's thriller movie online
Detective Sherdil OTT release date: Diljit Dosanjh is all set to bring a fun-filled mystery thriller to your homes with his upcoming movie, Detective Sherdil. The Amar Singh Chamkila star is playing the titular role in the thriller movie, directed by first-time filmmaker Ravi Chhabriya, who earlier assisted Ali Abbas Zafar on projects like Sultan, Bharat, and Tiger Zinda Hai. 'Our film will charm you with comedy, and thrill you with mystery, it's an out and out family watch,' Zafar said. Diljit Dosanjh's Detective Sherdil will be released on ZEE5 on June 20, the streamer officially announced on Sunday, June 8. In a post on X, Zee5 said, 'Sherdil's detective skills are about to be an ATE/10. Don't say we didn't warn ya. Detective Sherdil premiering on 20th June, only on ZEE5!' The movie is presented by Zafar's banner AAZ Films and Offside Entertainment. It is a Maurya Entertainment Production. Chhabriya and Ali Abbas Zafar have also penned the script with Sagar Bajaj. Shot in Budapest, Detective Sherdil tells the story of a unique detective tasked with solving a case that is far from ordinary. 'Diljit and I have previously worked on Jogi. After wrapping that film, I was sure we must work together again. He is one of the biggest stars we have, and now, as we bring Detective Sherdil to audiences on ZEE5, I still can't believe we've wrapped up our second collaboration!' Zafar said in a statement. Kaveri Das, ZEE5's business head in Hindi, said Detective Sherdil has a mystery mixed with a 'twist of wit and unconventional storytelling'. 'Think shadowy secrets, eccentric suspects, and plot turns you won't see coming—all delivered with a wink. This title is a sharp, stylish addition to our slate of movies, proving once again that ZEE5 is the destination for mystery lovers who like their crime stories with character,' she added. Other than Diljit Dosanjh, the Detective Sherdil ensemble cast also includes Diana Penty, Boman Irani, Chunky Panday, Ratna Pathak Shah, Banita Sandhu and Sumeet Vyas. Detective Sherdil is produced by Himanshu Mehra, Rohini Singh and Manmeet Singh.
