Briefly

JAPAN

Plea to scrap Games reaches Tokyo chief

A petition to cancel the Tokyo Olympics with over 351,000 signatures was submitted to the city's governor on Friday, with its organizers urging officials to "prioritise life". The online petition, titled "Cancel the Tokyo Olympics to protect our lives", was launched earlier this month. It has gathered signatures faster than any previous one online in Japan, which organizers said "reflects public opinion" on the issue. Polls consistently show a majority of Japanese oppose holding the Games this year, favoring either a further delay or cancellation due to the pandemic. The government was expected to widen a virus state of emergency on Friday, just 10 weeks before the scheduled start of the Games.

NEPAL

Two foreign climbers die on Qomolangma

A climber from the United States and another from Switzerland have died on Qomolangma, known in the West as Mount Everest, in the first fatalities of this year's season, expedition organizers in Nepal said on Thursday. On average, around five climbers die every year on the world's highest peak. But in recent seasons, the mountain has seen a surge in the number of climbers, leading to overcrowding that has been blamed for multiple deaths. Eleven climbers died in 2019, with four of the deaths blamed on overcrowding. To ease the crowding, Nepal's tourism ministry announced rules capping the number of people who can summit the mountain per window of suitable weather.

UNITED STATES

Picasso painting sells for over $100 million

Pablo Picasso's Woman Sitting Near a Window (Marie-Therese) sold on Thursday for $103.4 million at Christie's in New York, the auction house said. The painting, completed in 1932, was sold after 19 minutes of bidding for $90 million, which rose to $103.4 million when fees and commissions were added, Christie's said. Christie's had estimated the painting would sell for $55 million. The sale confirms the vitality of the art market despite the COVID-19 pandemic－but also the special status of Picasso, who was born in 1881 and died in 1973. The painting, depicting Picasso's young mistress Marie-Therese Walter, was acquired only eight years ago at a London sale for $44.8 million, less than half the price offered on Thursday.

Friends reunion show to air this month

"The One Where They Get Back Together" is finally upon us－and the cast of Friends will be joined by famous fans from Justin Bieber to David Beckham, HBO Max announced on Thursday. The long-delayed and much-hyped reunion, billed as an "unscripted celebration" of the US smash-hit television sitcom, will debut on May 27, the streaming platform said in a statement. In addition to the original cast, the reunion will feature guests including soccer legend Beckham, pop stars Bieber and Lady Gaga, K-pop sensation BTS and fashion icons Cindy Crawford and Cara Delevingne.

Agencies - Xinhua