Yasmeen Khan

Mayor Zoran Mamdani declared all roads closed to traffic until noon today, except for essential and emergency trips.

Over 35 million people in total are under a blizzard warning, and more than a foot of snow is expected along large parts of the eastern seaboard.

And finally, if you were scrolling the internet this weekend, you may have come across the story of Punch, a seven-month-old Japanese macaque monkey at a zoo just outside Tokyo.

Punch went viral after his mother rejected him and the young primate took comfort in a stuffed orangutan from Ikea, which has since sold out in stores.

Videos showing Punch looking lonely, being shoved, and scolded by fellow monkeys, then rushing back to his plushie for comfort, have captured people's hearts.

Zoo officials say the sudden fame led to a doubling of visitors last weekend compared to the previous year, with even higher numbers expected in the coming days.

Things may be looking better, though.

Punch has been observed being groomed, getting hugs, and sitting with adult monkeys, all signs he's finally acclimating.

Zookeepers say this is all normal, and they're encouraging people not to feel sorry for Punch, but to support his efforts at integrating.

You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app.

And if you're already listening in the news app right now, we've got a narrated article coming up next.

Bloomberg Businessweek reports on how cryptocurrencies became the preferred method for drug cartels to launder money and why law enforcement agencies are struggling to catch up.

If you're listening in the podcast's app, follow Apple News Plus Narrated to find that story.

And I'll be back with the news tomorrow.

Good morning. It's Thursday, May 1st. I'm Yasmeen Khan in for Shamita Basu. This is Apple News Today. On today's show, Kamala Harris delivered her first big speech since the election. How Donald Trump's spending bill is testing Republican unity. And the Supreme Court seems poised to upend the separation of church and state. But first, U.S.

Good morning. It's Thursday, May 1st. I'm Yasmeen Khan in for Shamita Basu. This is Apple News Today. On today's show, Kamala Harris delivered her first big speech since the election. How Donald Trump's spending bill is testing Republican unity. And the Supreme Court seems poised to upend the separation of church and state. But first, U.S.

Good morning. It's Thursday, May 1st. I'm Yasmeen Khan in for Shamita Basu. This is Apple News Today. On today's show, Kamala Harris delivered her first big speech since the election. How Donald Trump's spending bill is testing Republican unity. And the Supreme Court seems poised to upend the separation of church and state. But first, U.S.

economic growth dropped dramatically for the first time in three years amid President Trump's aggressive global tariff strategy. The GDP declined by 0.3 percent this past quarter, and if it were to decline again the next quarter, we will officially be in a recession. Consumer confidence has also plummeted to its lowest level since the recession of 1990. It dropped 32 percent since January.

economic growth dropped dramatically for the first time in three years amid President Trump's aggressive global tariff strategy. The GDP declined by 0.3 percent this past quarter, and if it were to decline again the next quarter, we will officially be in a recession. Consumer confidence has also plummeted to its lowest level since the recession of 1990. It dropped 32 percent since January.

economic growth dropped dramatically for the first time in three years amid President Trump's aggressive global tariff strategy. The GDP declined by 0.3 percent this past quarter, and if it were to decline again the next quarter, we will officially be in a recession. Consumer confidence has also plummeted to its lowest level since the recession of 1990. It dropped 32 percent since January.