The Papers: 'Net migration almost halves' and 'Paint the town claret'

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. 'Net migration almost halves' and 'Paint the town claret'10 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google"SpaceX, OpenAl and Anthropic IPOs to trigger Wall Street trading frenzy" is the Financial Times' lead story, describing the event as "blockbuster listings". The IPO for Elon Musk's Space X firm "is expected to be the largest on record", the paper writes, creating a "trillionaire" prospect for the Tesla tycoon. It also reports "net migration almost halves to lowest since 2021" for the UK, based on the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics.

"The number of extra people living in the UK has fallen to its lowest level this century – with 171,000 more arriving than leaving" is the Metro's top story. While Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood "hailed the fall", the paper writes that Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick refers to 75,000 Britons aged 16 to 34 leaving the UK as " Starmer's exodus". "London mayor blocks Met's AI deal" is the Guardian's lead, reporting that "controversial US tech company Palantir has been blocked by Sadiq Khan", in a deal billed at £50m to use AI tech "to automate intelligence analysis in criminal investigations".

The Details

According to the paper, "the mayor's office said there had been a "clear and serious breach" of procurement" while Scotland Yard says the move is "disappointing". Photographs showing Aston Villa's celebrations also fill the front page, with the paper writing "paint the town claret" as "Birmingham welcomes back victorious Villa" following their Europa League win. The Daily Express leads with a photograph of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham wearing running gear on a pavement, next to the headline: "Stop running away from the Brexit question Andy!

" Burnham is Labour's candidate in the forthcoming by-election in Makerfield. "Five arrested after claims fake council candidates were on ballot to make sure Labour's man got in," the Daily Mail writes. "Greater Manchester Police confirmed the arrests of four men and a woman 'on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud' in the lead-up to Tameside council elections on May 7," it says.

It notes the area falls under former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner's constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne. "Five arrested in MP's constituency over claims of fake council candidates as former deputy PM denies any involvement" leads the Daily Telegraph. There is also a headline about a police investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

"Misconduct inquiry widens", the Daily Mirror writes, next to a photo of Mountbatten-Windsor. Sign up for our morning newsletter and get News in your inbox.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.