Caroline Hepker

WhatsApp says that Russia has tried to fully block its encrypted messaging service in the country.

WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, said in a statement on Wednesday that it's trying to keep more than 100 million Russian users connected.

The Russian government is trying to drive the adoption of a new state-sponsored app called Max, modelled on China's WeChat, while it is also trying to choke off access to other foreign-owned services, including Telegram.

Those are some of our top stories for you this morning.

In terms of the markets, Asian equities have had a hugely impressive start to the year in terms of the rally that we've seen.

Meanwhile, AI taking a bite out of more industries, including U.S.

real estate names and Dassault Systems yesterday in Europe.

Very hot U.S.

jobs report yesterday means that traders are pricing in a rate cut from the Fed now in July.

So not until then.

And a number of earnings out today, AB InBev, Siemens and Mercedes-Benz.

Siemens actually raising its outlook.

So a sort of validation for Roland Busch's push to reshape the company.

Mercedes-Benz expects margins to remain under pressure this year.

Those are the markets.

That's news when you want it with Bloomberg News Now.

I'm Caroline Hepke.

And I'm Caroline Hepke in London.

We're the hosts of the Bloomberg Daybreak Europe podcast.

We do it early so the news is fresh, not recycled, and so you know what actually matters as the day gets going.