Content warning: this Zedline contains mentions of rape and sexual assault.

France has strengthened its age of consent laws to categorise sex with individuals under 15 as rape. 

15 was previously the age of consent, but up until now, a conviction of rape or sexual assault required prosecutors to prove that a minor was forced, threatened or tricked into having sex with an adult.

This reform provides that minors under 15 cannot consent to sex, with an exception for sexual relations between a minor and an individual up to five years older.

Elon Musk’s company Starlink has begun the trial of its satellite internet service in Northern Victoria and southern New South Wales. It is hoped that the new service would help break down the digital divide between rural areas and cities in Australia.

Users have described the internet speeds as "blazingly fast".

However, Paul Budde, an independent telecommunications analyst, said that the global space internet business is a risky exercise that may not be able to deliver what Elon Musk promises.

Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck confirmed the federal government is considering prioritising Australian athletes and their support staff for vaccination ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

Swimming Australia president Kieren Perkins backed calls for Australian competitors to be offered Pfizer vaccines before the games. He said it’s important athletes are given the best chance to be healthy through their preparation. 

Fraser Island-K’gari residents have called for transparency into the results of an internal review of the state’s response to the fire that burnt through 87,000 hectares. 

The review by the Inspector General of Emergency Management Queensland was provided to the State Government last month. Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said the government would release its response in due course. 

Liberal National Party spokesman for fire and emergency services, Dale Last, said the report should be released in its entirety and reveal any failings that occurred.

Speaker of Queensland Parliament Curtis Pitt has dismissed allegations made by the Opposition that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk deliberately misled Parliament during a debate in 2017.

The allegations relate to the Premier using a private email account to discuss matters with Labor member Mark Bailey, despite stating during a debate in Parliament she never used her private account for official purposes.

India’s health ministry has reported 200,739 new COVID cases over the last 24 hours, with the Delhi government announcing weekend lockdowns across the capital.

The surge was the 7th daily increase in cases as India continues to battle a second wave of infections, with daily deaths at 1,038, taking the nation's total to 173,123.

Delhi’s weekend lockdowns will see only essential services operating over the weekend to curb climbing case numbers.

The Public Health Association of Australia and Médecins Sans Frontières Australia are gathering signatures for an open letter urging Scott Morrison to temporarily waive intellectual property rights for the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Last November, India and South Africa put forward a proposal to the World Trade Organisation calling for the suspension of patents and copyright for information regarding the research and production of products to combat COVID-19. 100 of the 164 member nations have backed the proposal, but Australia is one of the countries that opposed it.

Scott Morrison warned against the media rushing to conclusions about the death of a New South Wales woman from blood clots a day after being vaccinated for COVID-19. 

The Therapeutic Goods Administration said preliminary tests have not found a conclusive link between the death and the vaccination.

Vice-president of the Australian Medical Association, Chris Moy, said focusing on unconfirmed vaccine side effects could have a devastating effect on public confidence.

The Sunshine Coast town of Woombye will participate in a study that will track movements and behaviour of its residents in an effort to inform council decisions.

Local councillor Winston Johnson says ten sensors on the main street will take measurements on pedestrian and vehicle movements. A water sensor will record how many people are using public amenities. Johnson says the data will inform scheduling of maintenance and cleaning.