U.S. President Donald Trump relentlessly mocked the United Nations on Tuesday in his first address since his White House comeback, blasting it for failing to bring peace and claiming the world body encourages illegal migration.

In his return to the U.N. General Assembly podium, Trump accused the U.N. of fostering an "assault" through migration on Western countries that he said were "going to hell."

Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, visiting New York for the U.N. General Assembly, voiced hope Monday for a security deal that eases tensions with Israel but he played down the prospect of recognition.

French President Emmanuel Macron officially recognized a Palestinian state at the United Nations on Monday, spurring a wave of Western moves to defy Israel in making the landmark -- if symbolic -- move.

Russia denied on Tuesday that it was connected to the drone flights that forced Copenhagen airport to close its airspace for hours overnight, after Denmark's Prime Minister said she could not rule out Russian involvement.

Hamas armed wing released a video on Monday showing an Israeli-German hostage alive, the second such footage of him shared by the militants this month.

More than 60,000 people died from heat in Europe during last year's record-breaking summer, a benchmark study said Monday, in the latest warning of the massive toll climate change is having on the continent.

"Europe experienced an exceptionally deadly summer in 2024 with more than 60,000 heat-related deaths, bringing the total burden over the past three summers to more than 181,000," said the study published in Nature Medicine.

France and other countries prepared to recognize a Palestinian state as the UN's centerpiece diplomatic week gets underway Monday, following a rash of Western governments in symbolically endorsing statehood and sparking Israel's wrath.

Recognition by Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal on Sunday of a Palestinian state piled pressure on Israel as it intensifies its war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands, devastated the enclave and drawn vocal rebukes from its allies.

Russia denied on Monday that its aircraft were violating NATO airspace and warned that countries making such accusations risked "escalating tensions".

"We consider such statements empty, unfounded, and a continuation of the country's utterly unstoppable policy of escalating tensions and provoking a confrontational atmosphere," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about Estonia accusing Russia of airspace violations.

Cities across Italy on Monday saw pro-Palestinian protests, strikes and blockades, responding to calls from unions to "denounce the genocide in Gaza" and for diplomatic and economic sanctions against Israel.

The mobilization coincided with France's and several other countries' intention to recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, following recognition by the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada on Sunday.

President Joseph Aoun has condemned the Israeli drone strike that killed five civilians including children in Bint Jbeil as a "massacre" and called on the international community to press Israel to respect the ceasefire.

"As we are in New York to discuss matters of peace and human rights, Israel continues its ongoing violations of international resolutions," Aoun said, according to a presidency statement on X.