VANESSA KORTEKAAS: Welcome to FirstFT. Here are today's top stories. Donald Trump is set to trigger his campaign pledge to build a wall on the US-Mexico border. Although Mr Trump initially promised Mexico would pay for the barrier, he will direct the use of government funds to start the construction and has said Mexico will reimburse the money. The move is one of several measures expected to be announced as the president follows through on populist campaign pledges.
China's courts have prosecuted fewer officials for corruption for the first time in five years. The drop by more than 20% in 2016 marks a shift in President Xi Jinping's high profile anti-corruption campaign ahead of a period of change for the Chinese Communist party's leadership. Experts say they expect fewer prosecutions by public trial and more party disciplinary procedures behind closed doors.
And a renegade general is threatening to reignite civil war in Libya. General Khalifa Haftar-- who controls eastern Libya-- is trying to expand his territory southwards. This could undermine the UN-backed government's progress against ISIS, which was pushed out of its coastal stronghold in December. For more of today's top stories, go to ft.com/firstft.
