Welcome to our ‘News In Brief’ column in which we digest all the news releases for you in no more than five paragraphs.
Below are snippets of all the media releases we received from June 1 till the end of the week.
This article updates throughout the week.
Middle East War Derails Aussie Holidays
Perth, June 1 : More than five million Australians have cancelled or postponed 2026 travel plans because of the Middle East conflict, Finder research shows. The comparison site’s survey of 1,019 people found 26% had put trips on hold, with millennials the most affected at 32%, compared to 20% of gen X.
Finder’s Taylor Blackburn cautioned that existing travel insurance policies won’t cover conflict-related disruptions. “Whenever you’re stranded, your first point of contact will always be your airline. Travel insurance can cover additional expenses, but they’ll expect you to have got what you can from your airline first.”
Smart Traveller advises against transiting through most of the Middle East. Blackburn suggested travellers returning from Europe consider routing through the Americas, noting a valid ESTA is required even for US transit.
SBS to Air Tour de France Live From July
Perth, June 1: SBS will broadcast the Tour de France live and exclusively from 5 July, with Slovenian world champion Tadej Pogačar chasing a historic fifth title after victories at Milano-Sanremo and Tour of Flanders.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift follows from 1 August in its fifth edition, with 154 riders covering a record 1,175 kilometres across Switzerland and France over nine stages, including a summit finish on Mont Ventoux.
Legendary Australian sprinter Caleb Ewan joins the SBS commentary team this year, bringing experience from his five Tour de France stage wins, including the 2019 Champs-Élysées. He joins returning commentators Matthew Keenan and David McKenzie, who both mark 20 years of Tour coverage, alongside Dr Bridie O’Donnell and Simon Gerrans.
Olympic gold medallist Grace Brown will lead commentary on the women’s race alongside Keenan, McKenzie and former professional Emily Watts.
Ken Shipp, SBS Director of Sport said: “Few sporting events match the scale, drama and emotion of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Every stage tells a different story – from epic climbs and fearless attacks to unforgettable finishes. SBS has been part of that journey for decades, and we’re proud to continue bringing Australians every moment, live and free.”
All stages will be broadcast live on SBS, SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand.
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