RUSH HOUR: The stories you need to know today

A DAY after Apple hosted a product launch in a rock concert atmosphere, many of the staff who covered the launch for its magazine Macworld have been fired.

Good morning, and welcome to our morning news coverage. We will be bringing you the best of what’s happening this morning, so you can get across the news quickly.

10am

That’s it for our live #RUSHHOUR news blog. You can get across the stories you need to know today below or go to news.com.au for the latest headlines.

9.30am

The moon may have seemed particularly large for the last couple of nights as the last of this year’s supermoons brightened the skies. Here are some photos from Australia and around the world.

The moon rises with an orange glow as people watch from a rock cliff at Bondi Beach on Tuesday. AP Photo/Rick Rycroft

A spectacular full moon over Surfers Paradise last night. Photo: Glenn Hampson

How romantic: The moon in Burgos on Tuesday. AFP PHOTO / CESAR MANSO

The moon rises over the tower of Seville's Cathedral in Spain. AP Photo/Miguel Angel Morenatti

The moon rises over the fields in Cyprus. AP Photo/Petros Karadjias

9.10am

It seems that former prime minister Julia Gillard’s much anticipated appearance at the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption was a bit of a fizzer.

Ms Gillard answered questions about a slush fund run by her former union boyfriend Bruce Wilson and whether money was used to pay for renovations to her Melbourne home in 1994.

But instead of revelations, the hearing yesterday simply revisited details that had mostly been aired publicly already.

Ms Gillard continues to insist that she paid for the renovation work herself.

Here’s a rundown of some of the evidence and a link to our live blog of yesterday morning’s proceedings.

Former prime minister Julia Gillard departs after giving evidence at the Royal Commission. AAP Image/Paul Miller.

8.50am

It’s R U OK? Day which challenges all Australians to start life-changing conversations with anyone they think may be doing it tough.

The day aims to reduce the 2,400 suicide deaths in Australia each year.

R U OK Day ambassadors, former NRL and Wallaby star Wendell Sailor and former Wallabies star Phil Waugh challenge people to start a conversation, no matter how awkward. Photo: Phil Hillyard

8.35am

BREAKING: Paramedics have rushed a severely ill man to Gold Coast University Hospital this morning amid suspected Ebola virus fears.

The Southport man has been seriously ill for two days with emergency crews confirming he had just returned from The Congos, where the largest Ebola outbreak in history has ripped through Africa, two days ago.

Paramedics were instructed to suit up in protective clothing before taking him to hospital.

A Liberian Red Cross health worker wearing a protective suit disinfects a courtyard after the body of a victim of the Ebola virus was found on September 10. AFP PHOTO/ZOOM DOSSO

8.05am

A day after Apple hosted a rapturous product launch in a hyped rock concert atmosphere, many of the staff who covered the launch for its magazine Macworld have been fired.

According to Macworld senior editor Roman Loyola, many of the staff have been fired and the November issue will be its last print edition.

Its online version will continue however, with a reduced staff.

The magazine was launched in 1984 when Apple announced the Macintosh.

Pretty much the whole Macworld staff has been let go. Looks like the end. Sad

— Roman Loyola (@pinatubo2000) September 10, 2014

Just a day earlier, Loyola posted this:

Thanks, Apple for giving us a reason to keep liveblogging your events: http://t.co/Ma41ABeAVT

— Roman Loyola (@pinatubo2000) September 9, 2014

7.45am

Joan Rivers stopped breathing after a pair of experienced doctors made a risky, spur-of-the-moment decision during an otherwise routine scoping of her throat.

A medical source told the New York Post that the doctors decided to take a scalpel to a polyp-like growth on her vocal cords while she was anaesthetised.

The biopsy’s incision triggered a seizing of Rivers’ vocal cords, blocking the 81-year-old comedian’s breathing and leading to the brain damage that ultimately caused her death.

Unplanned biopsy may have led to Joan Rivers’ death. AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau

7.30am

The United States is pushing for Australia to contribute special forces soldiers to help an international coalition defeat Islamic State extremists in Iraq.

Citing senior government sources, The West Australian reports that Washington wants Australia to send Special Air Service Regiment troops and Commandos.

Australia’s role in a new international coalition taking on extremists in Iraq and Syria will become clearer after a speech by US President Barack Obama at 11am today (AEST).

The Abbott government’s powerful national security committee of cabinet will discuss Australia’s contribution after the address.

On the brink of war? Obama in the Situation Room ahead of a major speech on how US will fight the Islamic State. pic.twitter.com/mTYRoUfZa3

— Nick Martin (@NickMartinSKY) September 10, 2014

7.15am

A small number of Islamic radicals have “settled plans” to conduct terrorist attacks in Australia, according to The Australian.

This has bolstered the case for the nation’s spy chief to recommend an increase in the terror threat level, which could happen as early as tomorrow.

Police outside the iQraa Islamic book store, which was raided yesterday. Photo: Annette Dew

ASIO director-general David Irvine and Australian Federal Police acting commissioner Andrew Colvin are expected to outline today the threat facing the community and lay the ground for an increase in the public alert level.

The move will come a day after AFP counterterrorism officers conducted raids across Brisbane, and on the 13th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in the US.

7am

A group of tourists managed to capture beautiful footage of a volcano erupting in Iceland.

6.40am

“Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius is due in court today to face judgment over the killing of his model girlfriend, ending a six-month trial that has turned the amputee’s private life into a global spectacle.

The 27-year-old celebrity athlete faces life behind bars - and notoriety that would eclipse his athletic achievements - if found guilty of deliberately killing lover Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013.

We will have live updates from about 5pm.

Pistorius will learn his fate today. AFP PHOTO/POOL/Alon Skuy

6.20am

The ABC will today claim that Australian troops in World War I took part in a “mass execution” of German troops following the battle of Bita Paka in New Guinea.

The broadcaster’s Radio National Breakfast program has obtained a single tape recording of a witness to the alleged slaughter, which the ABC says “appears to confirm the rumours” of prisoner executions.

“Officially, six Australians, one German soldier and 30 ­native police died in that battle. The Australians won, but there have long been rumours of the mistreatment and execution of prisoners. Recently, an account by an eyewitness to that battle has been found — and it appears to confirm the rumours.”

Colonel William Holmes and officers of Australian Army at German wireless station Bita Paka in New Guinea in 1914. Picture: Supplied