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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Paul Gallagher

Morning Mail: HyperVerse fake ‘CEO’ revealed; adolescent diet pill use concerns; violence erupts in PNG

Stephen Harrison in his role as the HyperVerse ‘chief executive’ Steven Reece Lewis, left, and as himself
Stephen Harrison in his role as the HyperVerse ‘chief executive’ Steven Reece Lewis, left, and as himself Composite: HyperVerse/Stephen Harrison

Good morning. We lead today with the extraordinary story of the man who posed as the chief executive of the collapsed crypto scheme HyperVerse. In our exclusive interview Stephen Harrison, a British freelance television presenter living in Thailand, says he was given about $7,500 and a free suit to play the role of HyperVerse’s CEO. He says he’s sorry for those who lost money in the scheme and had “certainly not pocketed” any of the money later lost by investors.

Meanwhile, a new global study led by Australian researchers looks at the dangers of adolescents using medically unapproved weight-loss products.

And there are fears that people have died in unrest in Papua New Guinea’s capital overnight, after violence erupted as police went on strike over pay problems.

Australia

Peace Palace in The Hague
South Africa’s case against Israel will be heard on 11 and 12 January in The Hague, with the potential for a provisional ruling within weeks. Photograph: Peter Dejong/AP

World

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Palestinians line up to collect food aid in Rafah, southern Gaza. Photograph: Hatem Ali/AP

Full Story

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Matilda Boseley at the Guardian Australia’s 10th birthday celebrations in Sydney last year. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian

Matilda Boseley on the health kick that landed her in a lake

Guardian Australia’s social media reporter and presenter Matilda Boseley was enjoying the view as she cycled home from work. An untimely distraction on her brand-new bike revealed a lot more than a lake filled with swan poo. Matilda’s story is part of The tale I dine out on, a summer series in which 10 of our favourite storytellers – actors, comedians, writers and Guardian staff – recount a story that never fails to entertain.

In-depth

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High school graduates across Australia are still applying for university places in large numbers, according to state admissions boards. Photograph: Blake Sharp-Wiggins/The Guardian

With the University Admissions Centre set to issue about 15,000 applicants offers in its first January round, year 12 graduates are crossing their fingers to nab a place in their dream 2024 course. We spell out how are tertiary education offers are staggered, what’s popular this year – and what happens if you don’t get your first preference.

Not the news

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Cold octopus salad from a new cookbook, Malta. Photograph: Simon Bajada

The writer and photographer Simon Bajada did not know much about his Maltese heritage when he was growing up in Adelaide. He was raised by an Australian-Irish mother and a father whose Maltese roots went “so far back” that he didn’t know the family’s origin story. He set out to discover more about his family and their food – and the culinary puzzle pieces fell into place.

The world of sport

Australian players celebrate victory over Denmark in the 2022 World Cup
Australian players celebrate victory over Denmark in the 2022 World Cup – now they’re back in Qatar for the Asian Cup. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Media roundup

Australia is being urged to change its stance over nuclear energy or risk being left behind as the US pushes its allies to embrace nuclear microreactors, the Australian reports. Days after a windfarm terminal project was blocked, Victoria’s energy minister has demanded the Albanese government do more to help develop the offshore wind industry, reports the Age. After more than four years of work on a $1.2bn repair, Queensland’s Paradise Dam will now need to be rebuilt after investigations found too many structural issues, the ABC reports.

What’s happening today

  • Sport | The Australian Open 2024 men’s and women’s singles draws will be revealed this afternoon at Melbourne Park.

  • Tertiary education | The University Admission Centre is set to release its January round one offers.

  • ABS | The latest international trade figures are due to be released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

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Brain teaser

And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.

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