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Inspiring titles to stream this Mother’s Day!
Mumbai: In the grand circus of life, few roles are as awe-inspiring as that of a mother. To encapsulate the essence of motherhood in a single word seems a daunting task, yet if one were to attempt it, “resilient” would undoubtedly be the first. In today’s era where the strides of women echo across professional and personal spheres alike, the seemingly effortless juggling act performed by mothers is nothing short of extraordinary. In celebration of this sacred bond this Mother’s Day, we invite mothers and moms-to-be to tune into a curated selection of enriching titles that we have put together. So, sit back, readers and especially mums, whether new, expecting or with a child, as we take you on a journey of reflection, connection, and celebration.
New Borns and New Moms isn’t just an audiobook; it’s a lifeline for moms! Authored by Dr Farah Adam Mukadam, this essential guide blends scientific expertise with cultural understanding to navigate the complexities of childcare in urban India. From preparing for the arrival of a newborn to handling postpartum challenges, Dr Mukadam offers practical advice and reassurance, empowering mothers to take on their mother duties with confidence. This audiobook is an essential handbook for every Indian mother.
Advice for Working Moms focuses on the relentless juggling act of balancing career and family – a familiar narrative for many working mothers, where the weight of caregiving and household responsibilities often falls disproportionately on their shoulders. But fear not, for this audiobook offers a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. Learn how to establish boundaries, negotiate for flexibility, and combat biases in the workforce. It’s a toolkit for reclaiming balance and thriving as a working mother!
In the audiobook, The Kickass Single Mom, Emma Johnson shares her journey from a struggling single mom to a thriving professional. Faced with a lack of guidance, she launched a website to encourage women to excel in single motherhood. This comprehensive guide challenges societal doubts, empowering women to build fulfilling careers and nurture personal passions. Drawing from her experiences and those of other successful single moms, Emma provides actionable advice and heartfelt inspiration, making it a must-listen for any woman embracing single motherhood.
In Mothers and Daughters, Selma Blair portrays a pregnant photographer figuring out her journey through motherhood while confronting her strained relationship with her mother. This film explores the intricate dynamics between mothers and daughters, navigating through the complexities of pregnancy, adoption, and estrangement. From heartfelt confessions to heart-melting speeches, the film will move you to tears. It is a must-watch for Mother’s Day and beyond.
The comedy series, Mom, chronicles the lives of single mom Christy Plunkett and her mother, Bonnie. As they navigate life’s twists and turns, both women find themselves in unexpected positions: Christy, on the path to realizing her dream of becoming a lawyer, and Bonnie, embracing a newfound romantic relationship and marriage. Through laughter, love, and the occasional challenges they encounter, Mom beautifully illustrates the power of maternal support and the unbreakable ties that bind us together.
In the heartwarming comedy-drama Mimi, directed by Laxman Utekar, we are beckoned into the world of Mimi, portrayed with finesse by the talented Kriti Sanon. Set against the backdrop of a quaint village, Mimi’s dreams of making it big in the acting world take a wild turn when she courageously takes the role of a surrogate mother. She navigates through unforeseen twists and turns, challenging societal norms and redefining the meaning of family. It is an ode to the strength of a woman’s resolve and the boundless depths of maternal love, making it a great choice for Mother’s Day viewing!
In Darlings, Shefali Shah and Alia Bhatt depict a compelling mother-daughter relationship navigating through adversity. Their portrayal highlights the profound impact of maternal support, showcasing the resilience of the mother-daughter bond in facing challenges together. Through their journey of self-discovery and healing, they prove the unwavering strength of a mother’s love in overcoming obstacles.
iWorld
Bill Ackman makes a $64bn bid for Universal Music Group
The hedge fund boss wants to list the world’s biggest record label in New York and thinks he knows exactly what ails it
NEW YORK: Bill Ackman wants to buy the world’s biggest record label. Pershing Square Capital Management, the hedge fund run by the billionaire investor, submitted a non-binding proposal on Tuesday to acquire all outstanding shares of Universal Music Group in a business combination transaction worth roughly $64.4 billion (around 55.8 billion euros).
Under the terms of the offer, UMG shareholders would receive 9.4 billion euros in cash, equivalent to 5.05 euros per share, plus 0.77 shares of a newly created company, dubbed New UMG, for each share held. Pershing Square values the total package at 30.40 euros per share, a 78 per cent premium to UMG’s closing price on April 2.
The deal would see UMG merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings, with the combined entity incorporating as a Nevada corporation and listing on the New York Stock Exchange. New UMG would publish financial statements under US GAAP and become eligible for S&P 500 index inclusion. Pershing Square says the transaction is expected to close by year-end, with all equity financing backstopped by Ackman’s firm and its affiliates, and all debt financing committed at signing. The transaction would cancel 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, leaving New UMG with 1.541 billion shares outstanding.
Ackman has a long history with UMG. Pershing Square first bought approximately 10 per cent of the company from Vivendi in the summer of 2021 for around $4 billion, around the time of UMG’s listing on the Euronext Amsterdam exchange. He has since trimmed that position, raising around $1.4 billion from the sale of a 2.7 per cent stake in March 2025, and resigned from UMG’s board in May 2025, citing new executive and board obligations arising from recent investments.
His diagnosis of UMG’s troubles is blunt. The company’s stock has fallen around 33 per cent over the past twelve months on the Euronext Amsterdam exchange, and Ackman lays out six reasons why. These include uncertainty around the Bolloré Group’s 18 per cent stake in the company, the postponement of UMG’s US listing, the underutilisation of UMG’s balance sheet, the absence of a publicly disclosed capital allocation plan and earnings algorithm, a failure to reflect UMG’s 2.7 billion euro stake in Spotify in its valuation, and what Ackman calls suboptimal shareholder investor relations, communications and engagement.
The Bolloré stake has long cast a shadow over the company. Cyrille Bolloré stepped down from UMG’s board in July 2025 as the Bolloré Group battled the French financial markets regulator over its stake in Vivendi, which holds a further capital interest in UMG. UMG had confidentially filed a draft registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in July 2025 for a proposed secondary listing in America, but put those plans on hold in March 2026, citing market conditions.
Ackman has kind words for UMG’s management, at least. “Since UMG’s listing, Lucian Grainge and the company’s management have done an excellent job nurturing and continuing to build a world-class artist roster and generating strong business performance,” he said. But he made his diagnosis plain: “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business and importantly, all of them can be addressed with this transaction.”
In other words, Ackman believes UMG is a great business trapped inside a broken structure. If the board agrees, he intends to fix that, loudly and in New York.
