1. 39% of recruiting businesses are struggling to hire employees

Data from the National Skills Commission covering the four weeks to February 19 has shown that 39% of recruiting employers are having difficulties hiring employees, The Australian reported today. 21% of businesses said they plan to increase staffing levels compared to 3% who plan to reduce them.

2. Cabinet minister accused of rape to speak publicly today

The cabinet minister accused of raping a woman 33 years ago is expected to speak publicly to declare his innocence today. NSW police said yesterday it had closed investigations into the allegations due to "insufficient admissible evidence to proceed".

3. ASIC commences legal action against REST

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has initiated civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against industry super fund REST for "false or misleading representations" made about the ability of members to transfer their superannuation out of the fund. "ASIC alleges that, from at least 2 March 2015 to 2 May 2018, REST made representations that discouraged, and in many cases delayed or prevented, members from transferring some or all of their funds to another superannuation fund," ASIC said in a statement.

4. Supermarket shoppers locked out of cars

Hertfordshire Police said they have received around 100 reports from shoppers who were unable to unlock their cars using key fobs after parking at a Tesco supermarket in the town of Royston. Ofcom, the UK's communications watchdog, has investigated the area but did not find any signs of interference.

5. Wall Street eases back

Following strong gains on Monday, stocks in the United States fell on Tuesday with the three major indexes in the red. The Nasdaq had the biggest fall, closing down 230.04 points or 1.69% to 13,358.79, followed by the S&P 500 which fell 31.53 points or 0.81% to 3,870.29 and the Dow Jones which dropped 143.99 points or 0.46% to 31,391.52.