Donald Trump's Middle East envoy has said Hamas must renounce violence and commit to negotiations with Israel if it wants to play a role in any Palestinian government.

The comments drew an angry condemnation from the Palestinians and created a new test for the Trump administration.

US president Donald Trump has cast the elusive pursuit of peace between Israelis and Palestinians as the "ultimate deal" as he continues his tour of the Middle East.

NBC has defended itself against Sharon Osbourne’s claim that the network discriminated against her afflicted son in casting a new reality show.