Sky News halted for breaking Donald Trump news as Macron suffers devastating blow

Sky News was paused to report a significant remark from Donald Trump, who firmly dismissed French President Emmanuel Macron's plan to recognise Palestine as a state later this year with a very blunt remark. The former US president made a direct comment to reporters at the White House as he boarded Air Force One. Trump's straightforward response sparked strong reactions online and further highlighted his strong support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

When asked about Macron and his stance on Palestine, Trump said: "He's a very good guy. I like him, but that statement doesn't carry weight." His firm pro-Israel position has placed Sir Keir Starmer in a difficult political situation, caught between France's and America's leadership. More than one in three of all 650 MPs have written to the prime minister calling on the UK to recognise a Palestinian state at a United Nations conference next week.

The Prime Minister, under pressure from both his party and international sources, is scheduled to meet Trump this weekend. He will want to avoid creating tension during the meeting, as observers note he is navigating a diplomatic balancing

act. So far, the PM and foreign secretary David Lammy have maintained that recognising Palestine alone won't resolve what Sir Keir describes as "the appalling scenes in Gaza. "

Yet, in an effort to manage this delicate situation, Sir Keir released a carefully worded statement this week, saying he's "working on a pathway to peace" in the Middle East. He mentioned "concrete steps" to move from a ceasefire to lasting peace and acknowledged that recognising a Palestinian state might be "one of those steps."

"I am unequivocal about that," he affirmed.

He also emphasised that any recognition should be part of a broader peace plan, aiming for a two-state solution and long-term security for both Palestinians and Israelis.

"This approach is the best way to ensure it remains a useful tool for improving the lives of those suffering, which remains our ultimate goal," he added.

Beyond his own comments, the Prime Minister issued a joint statement with President Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who have both spoken with Sir Keir in the UK over the past two weeks. They stated: "The time has come to end the war in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis unfolding there must be stopped immediately."