Wednesday's news in under 5 minutes.

We’ve rounded up all the latest stories from Australia and around the world – so you don’t have to go searching.

1. MP Don Randall – the man behind the failed spill motion against the PM dies.

WA Federal MP Don Randall has been found dead in his car near a golf club in the WA town of Boddington.

It is believed that Mr Randall, 62, suffered a heart attack.

Police issued a statement “Just before 3pm this afternoon, WA Police were advised that a 62-year-old man had been found unresponsive in his vehicle on Club Drive in Boddington.”

“Police and SJA attended but tragically the man was found deceased. The death is being investigated by WA Police and there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances at this stage. Family members are also being advised.”

Mr Randall was one of the MPs behind a failed spill of the Prime Minister in February.

The Prime Minister released a statement expressing his shock and sadness at Mr Randall’s death.

“It’s hard to credit that this strong voice for Western Australia and servant of our Party has left us so soon.

All his colleagues will mourn his passing and honour the contribution that he has made. ”

Mr Randall is survived by his wife Julie and two children.

2. Mother charged with murder of 5-month old.

A West Australian mother appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of her five-month-old baby.

Police say that the 37-year old mother was charged with murder after an investigation into the disappearance of her baby girl who went missing several weeks ago.

It is believed remains found at the home on Monday may be the missing baby girl.

Tamara Louise Thompson was charged with murder and appeared in the Geraldton Magistrates Court.

She was remanded in custody to appear in court again next week.

3. Leaders retreat to discuss tax reform.

The State Premiers and Chief Ministers will gather in Sydney today and tomorrow to attend a special leaders retreat with the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott to discuss tax and federation reform.

Ahead of the retreat NSW Premier, Mike Bair proposed a hike in the GST to 15 per cent from 10 per cent.  Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has proposed raising the Medicare levy as a way of funding a black hole in the health system.

After today’s more informal talks tomorrow will see a full-blown COAG meeting.

4. Baby shower high tea almost proves fatal.

A pregnant woman who attended high tea at the Langham Hotel in Melbourne and fell ill with salmonella poisoning has nearly lost her baby.

The un-named 29-year old’s condition deteriorated so quickly doctors were forced to deliver her baby five weeks premature.

The baby’s mother, who has been unable to touch him as she is still contagious, told The Herald Sun “If I hadn’t gone into hospital on Monday my baby could have been dead by Tuesday.”

44 people have contracted salmonella after attending his tea at the Langham Hotel on July 11 and 12.

5. Police appeal for missing Sydney woman.

NSW Police have made a public appeal after a 32-year old Sydney woman went missing on Saturday night.

Azhen Rawanduz was last seen by her husband at her Chipping Norton home on Saturday night.

Mr Rawanduz contacted police after he woke on Sunday morning to find his wife missing.

Polcie said they hold serious concerns for her welfare as “her disappearance is out of character”

Ms Rawanduz is of Middle Eastern appearance, roughly 160cm tall, with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes.  She was last seen wearing a long purple nightgown with a dark pink robe. She wears an Islamic head scarf.

Police have urged anyone who may have seen her or believes they know her whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

6.  Three Australian men accused of rape in Croatia.

Three young Australian men have been arrested and their passports confiscated after being accused of trying to rape a 17-year old Norwegian girl in the toilet of a nightclub in Croatia.

The alleged incident took place in the city of Split in Croatia last Thursday morning.

The three men, two aged 23 and a 21-year-old were arrested, and released, but their passports confiscated reports News Limited.

7. Jimmy Barnes slams the use of his music in Reclaim Australia rallies.

It is reported that the Cold Chisel classic Khe Sanh was played at the recent Brisbane rally.

Barnes wrote:

“It has come to my attention that certain groups of people have been using my voice, my songs as their anthems at rallies.

“I only want to say the Australia I belong to and love is a tolerant Australia. A place that is open and giving. It is a place that embraces all sorts of different people, in fact it is made stronger by the diversity of its people. If you look at my family you can see we are a multicultural family. Australia needs to stand up for Love and Tolerance in these modern times.

“None of these people represent me and I do not support them.”

Over 20,000 people have liked his post so far.

8.  Popular toy nearly kills baby girl.

A mother in the UK has been horrified when one of her daughter’s favourite toys nearly killed her six-month old daughter Paige.

Katie Jones wrote a post that went viral about how the popular teething toy, Sophie the Giraffe became wedged in her daughter’s throat nearly choking her.

She wrote that her daughter, Paige, was happily chewing on Sophie the Giraffe, when she quickly stepped away to grab something from the kitchen.

“On my return I realized [Paige] had become quiet and lifeless,” Jones writes. “When I checked on Paige she was turning blue. Paige had got the whole of one of Sophie’s legs lodged down her throat. I had to unhook it free and pull out the leg from the back of her throat.”

Thankfully, she says she managed to dislodge the toy.

“I gave some firm pats on my daughter’s back and this made her throw up and take a breath… Poor Paige was too young to remove the leg herself and would have suffocated if I hadn’t realized.”

“I’m shocked. Now looking at Sophie I realize how long the legs are and how dangerous this could potentially be to babies who love to chew. … Don’t leave your child unattended with this teether.”

Manufacturers claim that over 30 million of these toys have been sold.

9. Three Journalists kidnapped in Syria.

Three Spanish journalists have been kidnapped in Syria.

It is thought the freelance journos were captured in the Syrian city of Aleppo where they had spent several days.

According to Spanish newspaper El Pais the names of the journalists are Angel Sastre, Antonio and Jose Manuel Lopez Pampliega.

The paper reported the last time the three were heard from was on June 10.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry said it was aware of the situation and was “working on it”.

10. Happy Birthday Prince George.

On the eve of his second birthday Kensington Palace have released a new photo of Prince George taken by Mario Testino on the day of Princess Charlotte’s christening.

Kensington Palace released the pic saying “Look who is turning two tomorrow.”

They followed this up by later saying:

“This photograph captures a very happy moment on what was a special day for The Duke and Duchess and their family. They are very pleased to share this picture as they celebrate Prince George’s second birthday.”

For more – and to see the gorgeous new pic read this post here.

Do you have a story to share with Mamamia? Email us news@mamamia.com.au
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