Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump avoided all the awkward issues they need to resolve when the US president made his first call to the prime minister on Sunday, it is understood.

In particular, the thorny issue of whether Trump will accept Lord Mandelson as the prime minister’s nomination of UK ambassador to the US was not broached as the two men discussed trade, the Royal family and the peace deal in the Middle East.

David Maddox and Millie Cooke report.

Today, President Donald J. Trump held a productive call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. The two leaders discussed expanding and deepening cooperation. They also discussed a range of regional issues, including security in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe. The President emphasized the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship. The leaders discussed plans for Prime Minister Modi to visit the White House, underscoring the strength of the friendship and strategic ties between our nations. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to advance the U.S.-India strategic partnership and the Indo-Pacific Quad partnership, with India hosting Quad Leaders for the first time later this year.

Bill Gates has hit out at fellow billionaire Elon Musk and denounced his political activities as “insane s***.”

“It’s really insane that he can destabilize the political situations in countries,” Gates said in an interview with the Times of London. “I think in the U.S. foreigners aren’t allowed to give money; other countries maybe should adopt safeguards to make sure super-rich foreigners aren’t distorting their elections.”

Rhian Lubin has the story.

Stewart Rhodes and members of the Oath Keepers who were convicted on seditious conspiracy charges will be allowed to return to Washington, D.C., after Donald Trump’s hand-picked U.S. attorney pushed a judge to drop restrictions on their travel following the president’s clemencies.

The federal judge who tried members of the far-right militia group issued an order last week that prevented Rhodes and seven other defendants from entering Washington without the court’s permission after Trump commuted their sentences to time served.

A pardoned January 6 rioter was celebrated as a hero by members of his hometown church in California this past weekend.

Derek Kinnison, 43, of Lake Elsinore, California was sentenced to 33 months in prison in April 2024 following his role in the violent and horrific January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. During his appearance at the church, Kinnison even screamed to the congregation to “Let my people go.”

Madeline Sherratt has the story.

A group of more than 20 Democratic lawmakers has written to President Donald Trump asking him to implement his plan to lower the cost of groceries — specifically eggs — as promised during his campaign.

The letter was signed by senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker among others.

The resolution offered up by Senator Patty Murray simply states “that the Senate disapproves of any pardons for individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police officers.”