Four stories in the news today, Feb. 19

Four stories in the news today, Feb. 19, from The Canadian Press:

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LATEST INFLATION NUMBERS DUE TODAY

Statistics Canada will release the January inflation numbers today. In December, the pace of Canada’s annual rate accelerated to 1.6 per cent due to climbing prices for fresh fruits and vegetables. Consumers spent 3.7 per cent more on food in December than they did the previous year. Last month’s number followed a 1.4 per cent year-over-year increase the agency recorded in November.

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PLEA EXPECTED TODAY FROM CANADIAN TEEN FACING FLORIDA MURDER CHARGE

The 15-year-old son of a Canadian diplomat charged with first degree murder in a double killing in Miami is expected to plead guilty to reduced charges today. Marc Wabafiyebazu, the son of Canada’s consul general in Miami, was arrested last March after his 18-year-old brother Jean Wabafiyebazu and another teen were killed in what police allege was a drug deal gone bad.

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OIL CYBERATTACKS ON ALBERTA GOVERNMENT’S RADAR

The Alberta government will turn its attention in the coming weeks to the danger of cyberattacks on oil-and-gas infrastructure. The Alberta auditor general said recently there has been no government assessment of what the impact would be if a cyberattack were to occur. Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd says she has asked her department to work with regulators and other areas of government to determine what steps need to be taken to safeguard the industry.

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RISING FOOD PRICES SPARK RENEWED CONCERN OVER HEALTHY EATING

New research suggests about 12.7 per cent of households experience some level of food insecurity. Research has shown that children living in such homes can suffer other problems, including getting fewer opportunities to learn to eat healthy foods. Another study suggests parents with limited financial means try to avoid paying for food that will be wasted by buying what their kids enjoy eating.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Agriculture Canada will release the 2016 Canadian Agricultural Outlook.

— Conference of Defence Associations host a conference on security and defence in Ottawa.

— The Commons finance committee continues hearing witnesses for pre-budget consultations.

— Lawyers take part in a pre-trial conference in Halifax in the case of two young people accused of planning a mass shooting at a mall.