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

The Financial Times leads with the electrifying prospect of major Initial Public Offerings from tech giants SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic, dubbing them "blockbuster listings" set to ignite a trading frenzy on Wall Street. The paper highlights that Elon Musk's SpaceX is anticipated to launch the largest IPO in history, potentially catapulting the Tesla tycoon into "trillionaire" status.

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SpaceX, OpenAl and Anthropic IPOs to trigger Wall Street trading frenzy

Meanwhile, the UK grapples with a significant shift in its demographics, as the Office for National Statistics reveals net migration has nearly halved, reaching its lowest point since 2021. The Metro reports this as the lowest figure this century, with 171,000 more people arriving than departing. While Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood celebrated the decline, Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick pointed to the departure of 75,000 Britons aged 16 to 34 as "Starmer's exodus."

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is expected to be the largest on record

The Guardian focuses on a controversial decision by London Mayor Sadiq Khan to block a £50 million deal with US tech firm Palantir for AI technology aimed at criminal investigations. The Mayor's office cited a "clear and serious breach" of procurement, while Scotland Yard expressed disappointment.

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net migration almost halves to lowest since 2021

Elsewhere, the Daily Express calls out Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to address the "Brexit question," while the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph report on the arrest of five individuals in connection with alleged fake council candidates in Tameside, an area falling within former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner's constituency. The Daily Mirror also notes a widening misconduct inquiry involving Prince Andrew.

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The number of extra people living in the UK has fallen to its lowest level this century – with 171,000 more arriving than leaving