The World

The worst terrorist attack in Japan’s modern history happened 30 years ago, on March 20, 1995, during the morning rush hour on the Tokyo subway system. Members of a violent cult called Aum Shinrikyo released packages of deadly sarin gas on several subway cars, ultimately killing 14 people and injuring nearly six thousand more. Japanese authorities say the group remains an “ongoing problem.”

Following its inclusion on UNESCO’s cultural heritage list, Japanese brewers hope to showcase the true identity of sake and the hundreds of years of tradition behind the popular drink.

In a highly anticipated phone call on Tuesday, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about the potential of a ceasefire in Ukraine. During a meeting last week with US officials in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine supported a proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. However, many Ukrainians, both military and civilian, are skeptical that Russia is at all interested in ending the war.

In 2017, Cape Town nearly became the world’s first major city to essentially run out of municipal water. Although this was eventually avoided, water woes continue to plague South Africa and have been worsened by climate change. Now, the main economic hub, Johannesburg, is facing its own crisis, with outages becoming part of daily life.

As Japan’s population ages, cities like Yubari have to choose between finding new ways to attract more residents or focusing on managing their existing populations.