Four stories in the news today, Feb. 3

Four stories in the news today, Feb. 3, from The Canadian Press:

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NOTLEY WANTS ECONOMIC PAYBACK FROM TRUDEAU

Alberta has done “a lot of heavy lifting” for Canada for many years, and now it’s time for some payback from Ottawa, says Premier Rachel Notley. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Edmonton today and will meet with Notley to talk about a broad range of topics. Alberta’s oil sector is also looking for strong signals that Trudeau is serious about helping deliver its controversial commodity to tidewater.

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NEEDS OF SYRIANS HIGHTER THAN EXPECTED: REPORT

As the federal target date to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees inches closer, an analysis of those who’ve already arrived paints a sobering picture of the challenge ahead. Data obtained by The Canadian Press from the Immigration Department shows government-assisted refugees have more children, lower language skills and lower education levels compared with those being resettled by private groups. “Overall, the needs of this population are higher than originally expected,” says the six-page briefing note.

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BOSMA TRIAL ENTERS THIRD DAY OF TESTIMONY

The trial of two men accused of killing a Hamilton man who took them for a test drive in his truck is set to hear more testimony as it enters its third day. On Tuesday, court heard from a fingerprint analyst who says a print on the rearview mirror of Tim Bosma’s pickup truck matched one of the accused, Dellen Millard. The Toronto man and Mark Smich, from Oakville, Ont., have both pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in Bosma’s death.

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STUDY: MORE CANADIANS PAY WITH CARDS, APPS THAN CASH

Canadian consumers are more inclined to reach for their smartphones and credit cards over bills and coins to make purchases, according to a new study. Market and consumer information firm GfK conducted an online survey of 1,000 Canadians as part of a larger study on shopping behaviours. It found that in 2015, only 25 per cent of Canadian transactions were in cash, a decline of two percentage points from 2014. Credit cards accounted for most transactions at 42 per cent, unchanged from the previous year.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY …

— The Senate Liberal caucus will meet in Ottawa to discuss electoral reform.

— TransCanada Corp. will announce a major supply agreement with an international firm involving the Energy East Pipeline.

— Companies reporting financial results today include Suncor Energy and Indigo Books and Music Inc.

— The University of British Columbia is expected to announce a decision on its divestment from the fossil fuel industry.