Saturday's news in under 5 minutes.

We’ve rounded up all the news you need to know today, so you don’t have to go searching.

1. Australians head to the polls

Australians are heading to more than 7000 polling places across the country today to cast their vote in the Federal election.

Polls from yesterday evening indicated a "looming dead heat," raising the potential for the election to deliver a surprise Labor victory, a hung Parliament or a narrow Coalition win, Fairfax reports.

However, Guardian Australia’s poll  estimates the Coalition government will receive 50.71% of the two-party-preferred vote.

2. Baby died from horrific injuries

A baby who was found unresponsive at a Melbourne apartment on Sunday allegedly suffered fatal injuries to his head, neck and genitals.

An out-of-sessions bail hearing heard on Thursday that six-month-old Chayse Dearing also had ligature marks around his neck when he was found in the Glenroy home.

Duayne Linsey, who was found in the unit where the toddler was discovered, has been charged with the boy's murder after four days on the run.

Mr Linsey, 33, had allegedly been looking after the little boy while the boy's mother, Michelle Dearing, went to the local shops.

Ms Dearing and her baby had been staying at the unit temporarily, Yahoo! News reports

Mr Lindsey was remanded in custody. He will face the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.

3. Measles alert in Victoria and Queensland

A widespread alert has been raised after a woman with measles travelled across two states.

Health authorities in both Victorian and Queensland have warned that anyone with symptoms consistent with measles to see a doctor, The Herald Sun reports.

The young woman spent time in Shepparton and Melbourne, and commuted by train across the state. She was also at Southern Cross Station on June 25, before she caught a flight to Brisbane on a Jetstar flight that same day.

She returned to Melbourne with Jetstar on June 28.

Symptoms of the contagious infection don't appear until 10 to 14 days after exposure. They include cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever, and a blotchy, red rash.

In rare cases, measles can be fatal.

Read more about measles here.

4. US transgender troops can now openly serve in the military

Transgender people are finally allowed to openly serve in the US military.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced on Thursday that the Pentagon would remove the ban on transgender people serving openly.

About 25,000 people out of approximately 825,000 reserve service members are transgender, with about 7000 in the active component and 4000 in the reserves, according to researchers at RAND.

As CNN reports, the US military has witnessed major changes in the role of women and the inclusion of LGB service members in recent years.

5. Three Melbourne sisters and mum missing

Concern is growing for Melbourne sisters Jaylee, 11, Matiki and Zahara Latta, both 8, who have not been seen for three days.

Police said the girls were with their mother, 4Watsonia woman Tracey Heuston, who contacted authorities on Friday.

The girls and Ms Heuston, 49, last seen leaving a home in Watsonia, at 10.30pm on Wednesday.

Police have released a description of a grey Mitsubishi, in which the girls may be travelling.

Ms Heuston is described as 155cm, of thin build with long brown hair and brown eyes.

Police asked anyone who sees the three sisters to contact Greensborough police station on (03) 8432 0200.

7. One in five children at risk in Iraq

One in five (3.6 million) children in Iraq are at serious risk of death, injury, sexual violence, abduction and recruitment into armed groups, UNICEF has found.

The organisation's A Heavy Price for Children report also found that the number of children in danger of these violations has increased by 1.3 million over just 18 months.