Opinion
Opinion
State of Origin
Bloody hell – those Queenslanders have done it again
It was all over after NSW scored the first try right? Wrong, wrong, wrong - you just can’t kill the Maroons.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Latest
Analysis
State of Origin
State of Origin II player ratings: How Blues and Maroons fared in Game Two
We rate the performance of every player on the field from a thrilling State of Origin II in Perth.
- by Adrian Proszenko and Nick Wright
Opinion
Body image
As a Millennial who lived through ‘heroin chic’, the Age of Ozempic terrifies me
Though it was far from perfect, the body positivity movement felt revolutionary in many ways. But so much of that essential change is being undone at breakneck speed.
- by Bianca O'Neill
Analysis
Middle East at war
The weapons used as fighting between Israel and Iran rages
Everything from cutting-edge aircraft to old weaponry is being deployed as the two nations clash.
- by Liam Mannix
Analysis
AFL 2025
Friends, finance or flag prospects? Inside Tom De Koning’s life-changing decision
The Saints have thrown a king’s ransom at Tom De Koning, but he loves the Blues and his mates at the club. Which way will he go, and what factors will weigh heaviest on his mind?
- by Andrew Wu
Chammas at Origin
State of Origin
‘Not a mainstream sport’: Stokes-owned WA media gives State of Origin sex ad snub
The AFL-aligned West Australian newspaper all but ignored Origin, relegating its existence to the escort services page and mocking the concept on the front page.
- by Michael Chammas
Opinion
Violence
My friend was assassinated. In a world of shrinking political ideals, she was a beacon
Melissa Hortman, a great American reformer, accepted my invitation to come to Australia. Now, that will never happen.
- by Vafa Ghazavi
Opinion
Aviation
Why Qantas deserves to miss out on top 10 airlines list
Qantas could once boast it had one of the most valuable brands in the country. It has a fair way to go to get back to that.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
Middle East at war
Fight to the death: The world has to prepare for a Middle East energy storm
Markets are acting like the Middle East conflict will blow over as seen so often in the past. But this time it’s different. Does Trump understand what he did?
- by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
Opinion
Trade wars
Trump’s trade war is starting to bite China’s economy
China’s economy is holding up better than expected in this early phase of the trade war, but first cracks are emerging.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Opinion
Trump's America
If Trump goes to war with Iran, he could become a POTUS without potency
MAGA Republicans will erect a dividing line in their party if Donald Trump seeks to enter the war against Iran.
- by Bruce Wolpe
Analysis
Middle East at war
Trump has the bomb that could destroy Iran’s ‘nuclear mountain’. Israel may not need it
One previous plan to take out Iran’s heavily fortified nuclear site involved Israeli commandos, but such an attack would be hugely risky, and potentially deadly.
- by Joe Barnes
Opinion
NRL 2025
Glass houses to a glass jaw: Why Slater went too far in the Origin theatre
Banter and sledging has long been a part of State of Origin. But Billy Slater misjudged his response to being called a “grub”.
- by Adrian Proszenko
Opinion
Telecommunications
I tried signing up for Trump Mobile service. Here’s how it went.
Trump Mobile successfully billed my credit card, at a cost considerably higher than advertised. But I haven’t been able to start using the service yet.
- by Shira Ovide
Opinion
G7 summit
The G7 was a great idea – until it became one against six
One official said hosting a G7 in present circumstances was “like preparing the red carpet for Godzilla”.
- by Andreas Kluth
How Trump shifted on Iran under pressure from Israel
The US president spent the first months of his term holding back Israel’s push for an assault on Iran’s nuclear program. With the war under way, his posture has gyrated as he weighs sending in the US military.
- by Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman, Mark Mazzetti and Ronen Bergman
Analysis
Trump diplomacy
Phone in hand, weapons at the ready, Trump must act on his instinct for drama
Donald Trump faces a real-world crisis with real-world, high-stakes consequences, one in which he must be closely involved.
- by Michael Koziol
Analysis
NRL 2025
Safeguarding the game or Trumpian overreach? NRL flexes new powers
There will be more sets of eyes scanning the game for crushers, hip drops and squirrel grips. But has the NRL gone too far in exercising its powers?
- by Adrian Proszenko
Opinion
Pension
The big changes coming to how age pensions are assessed
Some part-pensioners will move to a full pension from July, while others who are currently ineligible for any pension will be able to start claiming.
- by Noel Whittaker
Opinion
Aged care
Aged care reform delays could save you thousands – if you act soon
The Albanese government has delayed its aged care reform until November, which is good news for seniors.
- by Rachel Lane
Opinion
Ask an expert
Will the new super tax hurt my pension account earnings?
The proposed superannuation tax means unrealised capital gains will be taxed for the first time. How will that affect retirees with their super already in pension mode?
- by Noel Whittaker
Opinion
AI
The world of work has been transformed. What happens next is still up to us
What sort of society do we want to live in when artificial intelligence hits its stride? That is the conversation we need now.
- by Aruna Sathanapally
Opinion
State of Origin
This perfect NSW play shows just how much trouble Queensland are in
The Blues have nailed one of my all-time favourite plays. It’s nearly impossible to defend, and the Maroons have already hit desperation stakes ahead of Origin II.
- by Andrew Johns
Opinion
Middle East at war
There’s a smart way for Trump to end this war
Donald Trump has a chance to create the best opportunity for stabilising the Middle East in decades — if he is up to it.
- by Thomas L. Friedman
Analysis
NRL 2025
The Ennis succession plan and push for an Eagles old boy: Inside Manly’s coaching conundrum
Anthony Seibold is facing an uncertain future at Brookvale Oval. Behind the scenes, several candidates and their backers are jockeying for position.
- by Michael Chammas
Opinion
Mental health
I’ve always worked too hard. It took an ADHD diagnosis and a breakdown to change that
At a time when my career had reached new heights, and after finding out I had ADHD, I spent three profoundly unwell months away from everything and everyone.
- by Sally Spicer
Analysis
Middle East at war
Trump must decide whether to join the kind of war he’s always sworn he’d avoid
Donald Trump is weighing a critical decision in the five-day-old war in the Middle East – and whether this is Israel’s fight or America’s.
- by David E. Sanger and Jonathan Swan
Opinion
Middle East at war
Iranians support Israel assassinating their oppressors – at least for now
Regime change, if that is indeed Israel’s goal, cannot be imposed from outside. It must come from within, and Israel risks alienating the very constituency it needs to get the job done.
- by Kylie Moore-Gilbert
Analysis
Climate crisis
We were promised a warm winter. So why is it so cold?
If you believe the weather bureau, Australia is expecting a warm, wet winter. If you believe your own senses when stepping outside, it is distinctly chilly.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Opinion
Home loans
FOMO has hit the housing market, and it’s just the beginning
House prices are on the move and buyers have a sense of urgency – some would say panic – to get in before they are priced out.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
Ask an expert
I’ve received a large inheritance. Why am I so scared to spend it?
Taking your time after inheriting a large sum is smart, but if you’ve never dealt with that much money before, it can be stressful.
- by Paridhi Jain
Opinion
AFL 2025
Fyfe fights on: Why Dockers veteran still has a role to play
The former captain had the potential to peter out in his 16th and most likely final year. But Saturday night showed why there’s still life yet in the old legs.
- by Paddy Sweeney
Analysis
Trump diplomacy
Australia thinks of itself as an international player. Trump delivered a reality check
Anthony Albanese will leave the G7 summit in Canada, which had been billed as a chance for him to build rapport with Donald Trump, without meeting the president.
- by James Massola
Opinion
Donald Trump
Made in the US? Trump’s MAGA mobile is just another phoney deal
Trump has threatened Apple with punitive tariffs if it doesn’t make its phones in America. His family has launched its own phone which, despite claims otherwise, isn’t built in America.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Analysis
State of Origin
A beautiful defensive mind: How Stephen Crichton can mark two players at once
The game’s best defensive centre gave an exhibition of his brilliance in Origin I. This is what goes through his head when facing down an opposition attack.
- by Dan Walsh
Analysis
Social media
We were promised a crackdown on ‘deceptive’ influencer advertising. The ACCC has yet to deliver
It’s a global industry worth $37 billion, but in Australia, it’s largely unregulated. Both consumers and social media stars are paying the price.
- by Bronte Gossling
Opinion
Trump diplomacy
Trump’s Russian delusion is complete. He sees Putin as a peacemaker
The evidence of the Russian’s uncanny and growing influence over Trump suggests that perhaps he is now the de facto US national security adviser to the president.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
Men's health
Cosmetic surgery ads have invaded my safe space
They’re in your face, and they want you to have a new face. But please keep these promos out of my gym.
- by Jayce Carrano
Opinion
Healthcare
Soaring doctor fees are a pain, but medics have another problem
The cost of seeing a medical specialist can be extortionate, but there’s another reason we’re losing our patience.
- by Jenna Price
Opinion
Mergers & acquisitions
Jim Chalmers faces a mission-critical national security test
The federal treasurer will have to decide if Australia should risk allowing the sale of significant gas assets to what is essentially a foreign-government-owned company.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Analysis
Middle East at war
Trump faces three excruciating choices in a war only he can end
Donald Trump promised to end the wars in the Middle East. Instead, America’s president finds himself supervising a new one.
Opinion
Property market
How the housing crisis is fuelling a mental health catastrophe
Mental illness is the single biggest health issue facing teens and young adults in Australia. Housing inaffordability is making it worse.
- by Dr Ehsan Noroozinejad
Opinion
Rising Festival
Melbourne doesn’t give up its secrets easily. This festival is delving below its surface
From a shaky start, this year’s Rising Festival shows it is maturing into a distinctive and diverse event.
- by Cameron Woodhead
Bayern thrash team of forklift drivers and fizzy drinks salesmen 10-0 in Fifa farce
Bundesliga giants humiliate part-timers Auckland City in embarrassing mismatch at Club World Cup.
- by Tom Morgan
Analysis
AFL 2025
Everyone’s a winner from Smith trade, but the Cats got the cream: Key takeouts from round 14
Bailey Smith’s Brownlow Medal credentials continue to grow in his first year at Geelong, but the Cats aren’t the only club smiling after the convoluted trade that sent him to the coast in the off-season.
- by Marc McGowan
Opinion
City life
On track: The train line winning prizes and transforming Perth
The Morley-Ellenbrook line’s domination of this year’s WA Architecture Awards acknowledges how rail is reshaping our city.
- by Mark Naglazas
Opinion
Mergers & acquisitions
The 28-year-old whiz Zuckerberg is betting $23 billion on
Alexandr Wang became the world’s youngest billionaire in 2021. Now he is joining forces with Mark Zuckerberg.
- by Matt Field
Opinion
Trump's America
Trump fantasises about being king and doesn’t care which rules he breaks to become one
America is not a place where tanks normally roll through the streets on the president’s birthday. This is a machismo that can lead only to intimidation and violence.
- by Cory Alpert
Opinion
Political leadership
The taboo question: At what point does America become unworthy as our ally?
It’s the age of pragmatic politics – too often unburdened by morality – but do we need to question the “shared values” of the alliance.
- by Sean Kelly
Opinion
NRL 2025
DCE’s not good enough for Origin. Will he be good enough for the Roosters?
The case for and against the Sydney Roosters signing Daly Cherry-Evans.
- by Neil Breen
Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/topic/opinion-1ql