Six stories in the news today, Feb. 26

Six stories in the news today, Feb. 26, from The Canadian Press:

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FUNERAL TODAY FOR SLAIN QUEBEC POLICE OFFICER

Funeral services will be held today in Chicoutimi for a Quebec officer killed when he responded to a domestic call this month. Thierry Leroux died Feb. 13 as he and another officer responded to the call in the community of Lac-Simon, a small Algonquin reserve in northwestern Quebec.

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ALBERTA SLAYINGS SUSPECT TO APPEAR IN COURT

A man charged in connection with the slayings of an Alberta man and his two-year-old daughter is due to appear in court today. Derek Saretzky is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette and her father Terry Blanchette. Today’s court appearance in a Lethbridge court is to is to set a date for a preliminary hearing and to address bail.

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INQUEST INTO DEATH OF GIRL TO HEAR CLOSING ARGUMENTS

Closing arguments are set to begin today at an inquest into the death of seven-year-old Katelynn Simpson. The girl died eight years ago after being beaten and mistreated for months. Her body was found in 2008 in the apartment of a couple who were supposed to be caring for her. Donna Irving and Warren Johnson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in her death.

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HEALTH CANADA: 14 ZIKA CASES IN CANADA

The Public Health Agency of Canada is reporting 14 cases of Zika virus in the country. The latest confirmed case is in Saskatchewan and other cases have been confirmed in Ontario, Alberta and B.C. The agency said Thursday on its website that all of the cases are travel-related and the types of mosquitoes that transmit the virus are not found in Canada.

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CUBA-BOUND CANADIANS CAN START BARGAIN-HUNTING IN THE U.S.

A group representing Canadian airlines says the opening of Cuba-U.S. relations may cost carriers in Canada some passengers. The low loonie has dampened Canadians’ enthusiasm toward looking south of the border for flight deals. But the National Airlines Council of Canada says once the loonie starts rising, Canadians might turn their eyes to the U.S.

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TRUMP REJECTS BORDER WALL WITH CANADA

Donald Trump wants a wall on the border — just not the northern one. The Republican presidential hopeful dismissed the idea of a wall with Canada during last night’s televised debate in Houston. He told a moderator from Spanish-language Telemundo that a wall would be too long and expensive, and unnecessary.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Final day of a roundtable in Winnipeg on missing and murdered aboriginal women.

— Sentencing in Halifax for Michael Paul Dockrill, convicted of shooting and killing his son during a home invasion in 2011.

— Alberta Premier Rachel Notley will make a flood project announcement.

— Companies reporting quarterly earnings today include Husky Energy, Magna International, Onex Corp., and Extendicare Inc.

— The Nova Scotia NDP leadership convention begins in Dartmouth.

— Preston Manning will deliver opening remarks at the Manning Centre Conference in Ottawa.

— In Halifax, the Department of National Defence will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Liberation of Kuwait.