Apple Reports Record iPhone Sales Amidst Varied Economic News
Apple reported record iPhone sales for the final three months of last year, driven by the popularity of the new iPhone 17 range, the company announced Thursday. Revenue rose by 16% compared to the same period last year, reaching $144 billion, marking the strongest growth since 2021, according to the BBC. The surge in sales was attributed to increased demand in China, Europe, the Americas, and Japan.
However, other sectors of Apple's business experienced less positive results. Sales of Mac computers fell by just over 7%, and wearables and accessories, including the Apple Watch and AirPods, saw a decrease of roughly 3%, the BBC reported. Apple chief executive Tim Cook stated that the iPhone's strong performance put the company in "supply chase mode" to meet high demand.
In other economic news, millions of low-income households in the UK will continue to receive £150 off their winter energy bills for another five years, according to the BBC. The government confirmed the extension of the Warm Home Discount scheme, which has been in place since 2011, following a consultation. The scheme was widened last year to include an additional 2.7 million families. Ministers said the extension, lasting until the winter of 2030-31, would help with the ongoing high cost of living, largely driven by increased energy costs. While charities generally welcomed the continuation, some expressed concerns that £150 was insufficient to adequately support struggling households, the BBC noted.
Meanwhile, Waymo, the US driverless car firm owned by Google-parent Alphabet, hopes to launch a robotaxi service in London as early as September, the BBC reported. A pilot service is scheduled to launch in April. Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood stated, "We're supporting Waymo and other operators through our passenger pilots, and pro-innovation regulations to make self-driving cars a reality on British roads." The UK government plans to change regulations in the second half of 2026 to enable driverless taxis to operate in the city, though a specific date has not been set.
Gold prices recently reached record highs, surpassing $5,000 per ounce, driven by investors seeking a safe haven amid rising global political uncertainty, according to the BBC. Silver and platinum prices also experienced similar increases. However, prices have since fallen sharply following signs of political stability in the US, although they remain significantly higher than last year. According to the BBC, global trade has been affected by tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump.
In North America, severe winter storms caused at least 49 deaths in the past week, The Guardian reported. At one point, approximately 213 million people were under winter weather warnings across a vast area from New Mexico to New England. Millions were advised to stay home, and over a million were left without power.
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