News Headlines - 09 March 2018

▽Tax chief exits as ministry suicide casts pall over Moritomo land scandal | The Japan Times

The head of the National Tax Agency resigned Friday in connection with the sweetheart land deal given to an Osaka-based school operator in 2016 that has been linked to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s wife. The de facto sacking of Nobuhisa Sagawa, approved by the Cabinet, was announced as opposition lawmakers resumed their offensive against Abe’s government.

▽Channel 4 to move hundreds of staff but keep London HQ | The Guardian

Channel 4 has reached a deal with the government to move hundreds of staff out of London and create a new “national HQ” in another city – but it will not be forced to sell its ￡100m base in London. The broadcaster has laid out a plan to move 300 of its 800 staff out of the capital next year. It currently employs only about 30 staff outside London.

▽Canada's homeless piano player dies at 46 - BBC News

The death of a homeless man who played piano on the street has left many mourning in the Canadian city of Edmonton, Alberta.
Ryan Arcand was used to the sounds of the city - cars honking, people shouting, the steady hum of traffic - while living on the street.
He died last week at the age of 46 after years of struggling with alcoholism, mental health and homelessness.

▽North, South Korea won't march together at Paralympics amid flag row

South and North Korea will not march together at the opening ceremony of the Winter Paralympics, as they did at the Olympics last month, because they cannot agree on a united flag that erases islands disputed with Japan, officials said.

▽A different side of Ichiro emerges in return to Mariners | The Seattle Times

In a news conference to discuss his one-year contract with the Mariners, Ichiro was more sentimental. The 44-year-old recognizes that his role in the game has changed irrevocably and appears eager to embrace a leadership role. ‘I want to just give it all right here in Seattle.’