The Minister for Veterans Affairs is promising better communication with disabled veterans, a day after a report that blasted the federal government for not being transparent in their decisions regarding their disability benefits. The report showed that a review of decision letters sent to veterans between 2001 and 2010 were vague and not understandable.

Police in Brisbane, Australia, are investigating a case involving a Canadian who fell off a bridge with his two-year-old son. Witnesses say they saw a boy fall from the bridge, followed by a man, who has been identified as 40-year-old Jason Lees. The Ottawa native was teaching at the Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane, and had just split with his wife. Police have yet to confirm reports that the deaths were a murder-suicide.

Health Canada is warning of high lead levels in two toy sets that were sold in Canada, and is advising consumers to get rid of them. The Pizza Playset and the Fishing Game were manufactured by Ningbo Ftz Zhengbao International Trading Company Ltd. in China. Both toys are aimed at children aged three and older. The barcode for the Pizza Playset is 094922130778 and the barcode for the Fishing Game is 094922553980.

The Toronto Blue Jays have opened their pre-season training in Florida with a great sense of optimism ahead of the new MLB season. The pitchers and catchers who were due to start pre-season training on Tuesday were joined by a strong majority of the position players, who aren't due at camp until later this week. Regular season action opens in early April.

A Vermont teen is on track to enter the Guinness Book of World Records after stringing together what's believed to be the world's longest chain of clamped staples. At 750 feet, nine inches, the staple chain is 133 feet shorter than the Titanic. The 16-year-old used approximately 20,250 staples for his creation.

Statistics Canada says retail sales slumped 0.2 per cent in December from the previous month, a sign that Canadian consumer spending is cooling. The decline followed a revised 0.4 per cent increase in retail sales in November. Analysts say that's an indication that shoppers both completed their Christmas shopping early and spent cautiously during the holiday season.