31.   The trial of Japanese doomsday cult guru Shoko Asahara opened Wednesday at the Tokyo District Court, court officials said.

32.   The Tokyo District Court cracked down on foreign media covering the trial of doomsday cult guru Shoko Asahara Thursday, imposing stringent body checks before reporters entered the courtoom.

33.   The wife of Aum Supreme Truth cult guru Shoko Asahara on Tuesday denied taking part in the murder last year of a dissident cult member, news reports said.

34.   Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama said police would maintain tight security across the country amid fears of another nerve-gas attack following the arrest of the cult guru.