RUSH HOUR: The stories you need to know today

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Julie Bishop says so far 17 Australians have been assisted out of the Gaza Strip as violence intensifies.

TODAY:

• Germany wins World Cup.

• What had Australian viewers in a spin during Ian Thorpe’s dramatic tell-all?

• Australians escape Gaza.

• No surprises here, but the majority of voters want the carbon tax to be scrapped.

• A search is expected to resume for two snowboarders missing on Victoria’s highest mountain.

9:00am

That’s it for our RUSH HOUR live news blog for this morning. You can get across the stories you need to know today below.

8:45am

What would you do immediately after winning the World Cup? Take a selfie, of course. Just like German forward Lukas Podolski, who cuddled up to teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger for this super sweet snap. Talk about bromance.

AHA! pic.twitter.com/iK5hbfm7Hr

— Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) July 13, 2014

8:30am

Police have shot at a man who tried to run down an officer in Brisbane.

Police are still hunting for the offender, who wasn’t struck. An officer fired his weapon after the man drove at him at Holland Park about 2.20am this morning, police told AAP. The offender’s car was hit by at least six bullets, and the man fled into bushes after also ramming a police car, the ABC reported.

Police are searching for a man who tried to run an officer over in a suspected stolen car in Brisbane. More in @TheTodayShow. #9News

— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) July 13, 2014

“A car was driven at a police officer and he’s discharged his firearm,” Acting Inspector Craig Smith told the ABC.

“We’re still trying to find the offender.” Police said the incident unfolded as they tried to intercept the man, who was wanted for an earlier offence.

8:05am

Just when you thought we were making leaps and bounds for workplace equality, there’s this gobstopper.

According to a new report by Oxfam Australia, women will have to wait another 75 YEARS to be paid as much as men. The report, titled The G20 and gender equality - How the G20 can advance women’s rights in employment, social protection and fiscal policies, urges the world leaders meeting in Australia later this year to make gender equality a priority in their discussions. Women are paid less than men, do most of the unpaid labour, are over-represented in part-time work and discriminated against in the household, markets and institutions, Oxfam Australia boss Helen Szoke said in a statement.

Australia already has strong policies in place to support women in the workplace, but there is always room for improvement to address negative social attitudes, it said.

“Through its presidency of the G20, Australia is well-placed to show leadership and push the G20 to make good its promise to ensure that economic growth and employment outcomes benefit women and contribute to reducing income inequality between women and men,” Dr Szoke said.

“These are not women’s issues alone - they are systemic issues that determine the wellbeing of everyone, in rich and poor countries alike.”

7:55am

While Ian Thorpe was baring his soul during last night’s tell-all interview with Michael Parkinson, there was something bothering the rest of the country — and it wasn’t Thorpie’s new-found sexuality.

Apparently Ian Thorpe is gay and apparently I'm going to be watching Family Feud tomorrow

— Russell (@russellwsw) July 13, 2014

Based on all of the ads, I'm shocked Channel 10 didn't just go all out and film the #IanThorpe interview on the set of Family Feud.

— Nathan Hall (@_nthn_hll_) July 13, 2014

That Family Feud neck tattoo that Ian Thorpe got looks terrible #Thorpe

— Dave DeBrincat (@dave_debrincat) July 13, 2014

Here’s a visual in case you missed it.

See what we mean? And it wasn’t long before Australian viewers brewed up their own type of feud, with Network Ten in the middle of a social media slaughter.

Here’s everything you need to know about Thorpie’s confession.

... are all the hype apparently.

Neck tattoos ...

This Ian Thorpe Interview would be more revealing if that massive Family Feud watermark wasn't in the way #Thorpe

— Brad James (@CaptCreative) July 13, 2014

I hope Parky gives him a big novelty cheque for $400,000 at the end of this. #IanThorpe

— Ben Harlum (@benharlum) July 13, 2014

It's a good thing #IanThorpe 's folks were supportive when he came out. Wouldn't have wanted him to get caught up in a family feud...

— James (@jamesey_baby) July 13, 2014

7:50am

A search is expected to resume for two snowboarders missing on Victoria’s highest mountain.

A team of 23 police officers and volunteers were based at Mitchell’s Hut on Mount Bogong overnight, where the pair’s abandoned campsite was found on Sunday morning.

Martin Buckland, 33, from Yarra Junction, and Daniel Kerr, 32, from Hawthorn, failed to return to Melbourne on Saturday from their snowboarding trip to the Eskdale Spur area, according to AAP.

Their families reported them missing on Saturday night, and while not giving up hope that they would be found safe, have said they are not naive to the possibilities of what might have happened to the two friends.

“Our families want to stress how experienced and prepared Martie and Daniel were for this trip, keenly aware of both the risks and the unpredictable nature the outdoors offer,” they said in a statement.

“Their local knowledge of Mt Bogong and the surrounds, combined with their equipment and experience just adds to the frustration of dealing with their disappearance.” The statement, released by Mr Buckland’s wife and Mr Kerr’s parents, said the pair had been great friends since they met at high school, both worked in sports and recreational professions and “live and breath the outdoors having been on many adventures such as this in the past”.

Police believe the men have an emergency position radio beacon but have not activated the alarm.

The men were in contact with their families on Thursday, speaking via mobile phone and sending a photograph of their camp at Mitchell hut, but have not made contact since that time.

A group of walkers came across their campsite on Sunday and found an empty tent containing sleeping bags and other equipment.

Emergency services embark on a search of Mt Bogong for two missing back country snowboarders. Picture: Simon Dallinger

7:45am

No matter where in the world you go, buffoonery is sure to follow.

Howedes does not want a kiss from the weird pitch invader guy... pic.twitter.com/BMteuQ4GxK

— Brooks Peck (@BrooksDT) July 13, 2014

7:40am

Does time heal all wounds? Apparently so, if David Beckham is anything to go by.

Dear 1998, here's a picture you could never have imagined: Becks' son in #ARG kit http://t.co/949Z7ankBw pic.twitter.com/LXkFJavzin

— FOX SPORTS Football (@FOXFootballLive) July 13, 2014

7:35am

No surprises here, but the majority of voters want the carbon tax to be scrapped, a Newspoll has found.

According to the poll published in The Australian, 53 per cent of voters want the Palmer United Party (PUP) to support the repeal bills, while 35 per cent want the party to vote against them, reports AAP.

The latest survey was conducted after the proposal to axe the controversial carbon tax was blocked by PUP senators on Thursday. The federal government has since been in talks with PUP staff to discuss further changes to the bills, ahead of it going back to the lower house on Monday.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said he is still committed to abolishing the tax.

7:15am

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop says so far 17 Australians have been assisted out of the Gaza Strip as violence intensifies.

Ms Bishop has told Sky News 20 or so Australians had registered with the Australian Embassy as being in the Gaza Strip but this number may be higher as many could be dual-passport holders, reports AAP.

“Australians in Gaza are urged to leave as soon as possible,” Ms Bishop told Sky News.

“We know there are about 20 or so Australians registered who are in Gaza and I believe we have assisted 17 so far.”

Diplomatic efforts to halt the bloodshed intensify as a rocket is launched from the Gaza strip into Israel, on Sunday. Picture: Menaem Kahana

The Australian Embassy in Tel Aviv is arranging a one-off assisted departure of Australians from Gaza, and the federal government has asked those wanting to leave to urgently contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Ms Bishop warned Australians that delayed contacting the embassy, risked having to find their own way out of Gaza.

The government has upgraded its travel warnings for the area amid reports that more than 130 people have been killed since the violence began five days ago.

Ms Bishop said both sides had been told to de-escalate the violence, but neither had done so and the situation is continuing to deteriorate.

“The retaliatory acts from both sides that have led to civilian deaths and injuries are deeply regrettable, and I call on all parties to exercise restraint and do everything necessary to avoid a further escalation of violence,” she said earlier.

MORE: UNDERSTANDING THE ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT

Men take cover behind a car due to a rocket attack siren going off while watching Israeli attacks inside Gaza. Picture: Andrew Burton

A man holds up a destroyed rocket, which he says was fired from inside Gaza towards Israel. Picture: Andrew Burton

6:45am

While Germany and Argentina battle it out for World Cup glory this morning, Colombian beauty Shakira has proved why those hips of hers still don’t lie during the pre-game festivities.

According to news.com.au’s Sam Clench, the singer “really captures the happy spirit of the occasion”. Well said, Sam.

You can follow all the World Cup news through our LIVE BLOG.

6:30am

Good morning and welcome to our headlines-in-a-hurry news coverage. We’ll be bringing you the morning’s biggest stories so you can get across the news quickly.