Today’s headlines is a short audio summary of the day’s headlines.Find the latest episodes here.

Boris Johnson ready to meet forthcoming An investigation into rule-breaking Downing Street parties for political survival comes after he spent a day in talks with allies and Conservative MPs.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Dame Cressida Dick announced a criminal investigation Attended the rally yesterday and initially expressed doubts about the release of the long-awaited inquiry by senior Whitehall public servant Sue Gray.

But the FT understands that Gray’s investigation could be released as soon as today, according to several officials. “Su is determined it will come out soon,” one said. Government insiders said the prime minister was expected to receive the report today and it would be released later.

Gray’s report will be scrutinized by Johnson’s critics, who are weighing whether to launch an effort to oust him. A total of 54 Conservative MPs must submit a letter to Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Backbench Committee, to trigger a vote of no confidence.

• analyze: Police investigations into Number 10 usually draw strong attention, but as one Conservative MP said: “This may be a lifeline for Johnson. ” This is timeline A political party held at the heart of the British government.

Thank you for reading FirstFT Europe/Africa.Here’s the rest of the news today – Will

Five more stories in the news

1. Citi plans to spend £100m revamping Canary Wharf building Citigroup will take three-year overhaul Its 42-storey London skyscraper costs more than £100m, which the bank describes as a post-Brexit vote of confidence in the City of London and the future of offices post-pandemic. Citi’s 9,000 London employees will relocate until 2025.

2. Jes Staley urges JPMorgan to keep Jeffrey Epstein Jes Staley, then head of investment banking at JPMorgan, urged the U.S. bank Keep Jeffrey Epstein Although the disgraced financier was convicted in 2008 of soliciting sex from a minor, he was a client until the bank cut him off in 2013, according to two people involved in the discussions.

3. Banks fight back against Beijing’s overseas listing rules Asia’s top banking lobby, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan, has warned Beijing that the system for Chinese companies listing overseas will be overhauled may prevent them from giving advice An initial public offering, which would jeopardize the source of funding for the country’s leading companies.

4. Putin to meet Italian CEO despite Ukraine tensions Executives of some of Italy’s biggest companies, including Pirelli, Generali and UniCredit, will meet Video conference with Vladimir Putin Discuss economic ties today, even as Europe and the US threaten to impose punitive sanctions If Russia invades Ukraine.

• deeper: Russian state media is Broadcast a barrage of accusations Against Ukraine, which paints Kiev as an aggressor backed by a militant West, the coalition threatens Moscow and pushes it reluctantly into conflict.

5. US warns of fragile chip supply Semiconductor inventories held by manufacturers plummet to average from 40 days in 2019 only five The U.S. Commerce Department has warned of havoc as a global chip shortage wreaks havoc on industry.

coronavirus digest

• Pfizer and Biological Technology The first participants have been recruited in the clinical trial of the vaccine Tailored for Omicron variants.

• Iseral’s The Vaccine Advisory Group has Fourth dose recommended Shot for all adults, a world first.

• This International Monetary Fund downgrade Its 2022 global growth forecast warned that the recovery would face “multiple challenges” including higher inflation.

• bar group is working for a big weekend sale Consumers receive their long-awaited January pay package as remaining Covid-19 restrictions in the UK are lifted.

the day ahead

UK Lift Covid control Plan B restrictions, including guidance on working from home and wearing masks on public transport, will delete today.

U.S. interest rate decision The Federal Open Market Committee announced its latest decision On the U.S. interest rate front, the first rate hike is expected in March, while investors will be looking for clues on when the central bank will begin tapering its $120 billion-a-month bond-buying program.

income AT&T, Boeing, Wizz Air, Intel, and Tesla are among them reported earnings Wednesday.

what are we still reading

How Citadel Securities Became the ‘Amazon of Financial Markets’ Founded in the 2000s, Ken Griffin’s Citadel Securities has grown into one of the world’s largest trading firms, participating in about a quarter of all US equities trades and nearly 40% of retail trades.Floating decisions will make it’s firmly aimed at the crosshairs SEC and Reddit traders.

Kazakhstan unrest shows Erdogan that Putin is still in power Kazakhstan’s president decides to ask Vladimir Putin to help crack down on protests rocking his country got hit Recep Tayyip Erdogan dreams of forming a bloc of Turkey and the “brother” countries of the former Soviet Union.

Former Farc captive runs for Colombian presidency The last time Ingrid Betancourt ran for president of Colombia, she Kidnapped by Marxist guerrillas and imprisoned in the jungle for more than six years. Two decades later, the former congresswoman and senator is bidding again for the country’s leadership.

What powers the economy Vaclav Smil in how the world works. Read Pilita Clark’s review here. Want to learn more about energy policy? register to our Energy Newsletter.

You said it was a party? Robert Shrimsley writes that it is unclear how long the list of political casualties from a BYOB bash that violates the lockdown in Downing Street might be long, but those who do not return will ask for the rest of their lives: is it really worth it A warm cup of Merlot and a little cheese wrap?

sports

Ski touring — exploring mountains by hiking on skis fitted with sticky skins — is booming, the latest obsession for those looking to add an element of cardiovascular challenge to their vacation.but there is one An easier way to explore slopes: The new cable car connection allows you to ski across most of the Dolomites in one day.