🇲🇦MoroccoNorth Africa
Michael" film earns over $30 million globally in less than 24 hours
via Le Matin3 min read
The film "Michael" has achieved significant box office success, grossing $12.6 million in US previews, including $3.8 million from premium and IMAX formats. Internationally, it added $18.5 million on its opening day, bringing its global total to over $30 million within 24 hours of its release on Wednesday, April 22. Industry estimates project a first-weekend earning between $85 million and $95 million in the US, which would mark the best post-pandemic opening for Lionsgate, surpassing "John Wick Chapter 4's" $73.8 million, and a record for a musical biopic, exceeding "Straight Outta Compton's" $60.2 million. In comparison, "Bohemian Rhapsody" opened with $51 million in 2018. Audience reception has been highly positive, with early evaluations showing 5-star equivalents, 88% positive reviews, and 81% recommendations. Public surveys give it an A- grade, and public rating platforms show 96% approval. The audience profile indicates 58% are under 35, with a slight female majority at 56%, and half of the viewers attended due to their connection to Michael Jackson. Social media engagement is also high, with an estimated 417.9 million people exposed to or engaged with the film online, a figure comparable to or exceeding films like "Elvis" or "Rocketman." In Morocco, the film is experiencing similar enthusiasm, with cinemas filling rapidly and operators increasing screenings to over ten per day to meet demand.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Officials from Morocco, French partners, and international delegations convened in Rabat to assess the "Pioneer Colleges" program. This initiative is recognized as a key driver of Morocco's educational reform. Initial findings indicate significant improvements in learning outcomes, a reduction in school dropout rates, and enhanced psychosocial skills among students.
Must ReadDuring the opening session of the 5th High-Level Meeting of Heads of Counter-Terrorism and Security Agencies in Africa, held in El Jadida as part of the Marrakech Platform, Moroccan Minister Nasser Bourita discussed the continent's security context. He highlighted concerning developments, including the expansion of terrorism, increased armed conflicts, the nexus between terrorist groups, separatist movements, and transnational crime, and challenges from technological advancements and artificial intelligence. Bourita emphasized that the Royal Vision offers a comprehensive framework for understanding African realities, noting that Morocco's African policy is rooted in belonging, as Africa is not merely a neighboring continent or a diplomatic option, but one to which Morocco belongs geographically, identitarily, politically, institutionally, and historically. He stated that Morocco's commitment to counter-terrorism in Africa is a responsibility stemming from its dedication to the continent's security, aligning with the enlightened Vision of His Majesty the King that the continent's development, stability, and security are intrinsically linked to Morocco's. The minister also underscored the principle of Afro-optimism guiding Morocco's actions, where the Kingdom sees opportunities despite security challenges, believing Africa possesses the resources and ingenuity to overcome them. Bourita reiterated His Majesty the King's advocacy for a holistic approach to security challenges, em
Must ReadMoroccan exports to Egypt have surged from $59 million to $323 million in one year, signaling a structurally underexploited potential. This growth was highlighted during the second edition of a trade mission held in Casablanca, organized by the Food Export Council and Konzept, in partnership with the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Morocco and the French CCI in Egypt. The event, which followed a 2023 inaugural mission, brought together 33 Egyptian companies, primarily from the agri-food sector, along with packaging, printing, and related services industries. A B2B meeting day facilitated direct interactions between Moroccan buyers and Egyptian delegates, exploring concrete collaboration opportunities. This mission is part of a broader political initiative, as detailed by Ahmed Nehad Abdelatif, Egypt's Ambassador to Morocco. In April, the Moroccan Head of Government visited Cairo with six ministers, resulting in the signing of thirteen agreements, including those on industrial cooperation, customs, and maritime transport. These agreements are seen as transforming bilateral relations, building on centuries of shared culture and fraternal ties. Mohammed Zardoune, Director of Border Control at the National Office for Food Safety of Food Products ONSSA, presented data showing a 151% growth in agri-food imports from Egypt between 2020 and 2025, with a 98.23% acceptance rate for processed dossiers. Anas Lahlou Kassi, Division Head at the Directorate of Agri-Food Industrie