France plans to ban smoking in all outdoor places frequented by children, including beaches, parks, public gardens and areas near schools, from July 1, the government said.

French President Emmanuel Macron called on Indo-Pacific nations to establish a "new coalition" to counter the "constraints and side effects" stemming from the growing U.S.-China rivalry. Macron's speech came as the European leader sought to play up the country as a counterweight to the two superpowers.