Apple reported a bump in quarterly sales and predicted the holiday season would be its "best iPhone quarter ever." But concerns around China and AI persist.

Cupertino

Apple is projecting strong iPhone sales, attributing the growth to new hardware designs and effective in-store promotions. While supply chain adjustments and economic factors have led to reduced upgrades in China, Apple expects demand to recover, particularly during the Chinese New Year period.

The company's services segment, including content and advertising, continues to drive revenue, highlighted by new streaming deals such as with F1. However, questions remain about Apple's artificial intelligence roadmap, with an improved Siri promised for release in 2026 as the company continues to develop its AI capabilities.

Apple predicts strong iPhone sales, as AI concerns linger

You're really the person we turn to when you think about how they're innovating where they're pushing forward. Were you surprised by the overall sales growth when many thought that iPhone 17 wasn't gonna be the catalyst that we'd hoped for. I wasn't. And the reason is because as I talked to you in the past hardware refresh when the actual hardware looks different always drive upgrades. People still want to rely on the device that is in their pocket 24 7 but make it look different. And this year we got that with the air which is not the main seller for Apple. But it doesn't matter. It's getting people back in the stores to see the rest of the portfolio. It was really interesting yesterday that Cook mentioned that supply issues on the 16 model not just on the 17. And that is a good reminder that a new model every September brings people back in stores and upgrade to previous models as well. It's not just the latest is the portfolio with maybe some price adjustment and some carrier promotions that drive the upgrade. Fewer upgrades going on in China though. What did you make of the pullback the surprising pullback in that particular region. I think part of it is the economic situation in China. We have seen kind of hot and cold from a consumer perspective. The timing was later in the quarter. So it takes a little bit longer from a supply chain perspective. We also need to remember the supply chain has moved away from China. So there is some adjustment to make as well because of the U.S. and the production shifting to to India. But the most important thing and is what Tim Cook said which is signals towards the end of the quarter was positive. People were going back into the stores. But the big quarter for China is always Q1. That is Chinese New Year. By then there is hope that the supply constraint that Apple has had especially in the higher models which is usually where China gravitates towards will be resolved. And that's where the big quarter should come in. And if it doesn't that's when I'm going to start worrying. But for now I'm not worried. And I digest the Easton situation as well. I spy a Cowboy Carter memorabilia behind you. I love that tour too. Let's just talk about the services side. The music side is part of that. But services really is what drove the strength at the moment. Can that be reliable going forward when we think about the regulatory pressure on the app store for example. I think it can because more and more is really content and is also advertising. We've seen Apple close the deal with F1. So they'll start streaming F1 which is becoming more and more popular in the U.S. and across the globe with a demographic that Apple is really really keen in keeping and growing which is Gen Z years and younger millennials. So I think that that is really the opportunity for Apple is on the content side is the engagement side and that also over time will come into play with Apple Vision Pro. I mean very briefly what about the A.I. side. Well we have been promised an improved Siri coming in 2026. And as we discussed before Apple has some time to figure this out. I think that most of us have figured out what I can do for us in a productivity setting but not yet on a personal way. And I think that's where Siri is going to play the most.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced an operation that apparently "thwarted a potential terrorist attack" during Halloween weekend in Michigan. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane has more.

Dearborn

Patel says FBI stopped a potential "terror attack" in Michigan

Washington and Beijing are "in agreement on many things," U.S. President Donald Trump said after the face-to-face meeting that lasted nearly two hours, the first between both leaders in six years.

Busan

Global Tariffs

Trump announces deal with China after talks with Xi in South Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the resumption of nuclear weapons tests for the first time since 1992. A day earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia had successfully tested a nuclear-powered super torpedo.

Washington

Trump orders nuke tests after Russia tests nuclear-powered torpedo

Sudan and the UAE clash at the UN Security Council—Khartoum accuses Abu Dhabi of funding the RSF amid reports of atrocities.

New York

UN Security Council meeting: Sudan and UAE trade heated accusations

U.S.-China tensions cast a shadow over the APEC summit in South Korea — Leaders debate trade, diplomacy, and the bloc’s mission of free trade.

Gyeongju-si

APEC summit: U.S.-China rivalry looms over trade and diplomacy

Microsoft, Meta and Alphabet recently reported their quarterly earnings and one thing is certain: the jaw-dropping investments in artificial intelligence are only just getting started. This all comes just days after Nvidia became the world's first-ever $5 trillion company.

California

Meta stock falls over 10% after commitment to raise AI spending

CBS News has confirmed that the Pentagon ordered all state National Guards to form what they're calling "quick reaction forces" available for rapid deployments to address potential civil unrest.

Pentagon orders state National Guards to form rapid response units

Taylor Taranto has been sentenced to time served plus 36 months of supervised release after being convicted of threatening former President Barack Obama. He was also pardoned on Jan. 6 Capitol rioting charges by President Trump earlier this year.

Taylor Taranto sentenced to time served for Obama threat

Authorities have charged five people in connection with the overdose deaths of three 19-year-olds, including Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, the grandson of actor Robert De Niro.

Five arrested over overdose death of Robert De Niro’s grandson

Prince Andrew is being stripped of his royal titles and must move out of his mansion, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday. Andrew has come under intense scrutiny over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

London

Prince Andrew stripped of royal titles over Jeffrey Epstein ties

French police have now detained seven people over the robbery at France's landmark museum on 19 October.

Paris

Louvre heist: Five new suspects arrested as search for jewels continues

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that China has approved a TikTok transfer deal. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.

Treasury Secretary Bessent says China approved TikTok transfer deal

As Hurricane Melissa continues its trail of death and devastation through the Caribbean, Jamaica is taking stock. With over 75% of the country without power and $22 billion in damage, experts estimate recovery could take a decade.

Kingston

Jamaica reels as Hurricane Melissa leaves behind devastation

House lawmakers have been told their paychecks will be delayed until Congress passes a new funding bill. CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small has the latest on the government shutdown.

House lawmakers' paychecks delayed until government reopens

Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas in eastern Gaza on Thursday (October 30), Palestinian residents and witnesses said, a day after Israel said it remained committed to a U.S.-backed ceasefire despite launching more lethal bombardments in the territory.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israel strikes Gaza after asserting commitment to ceasefire

In the Netherlands, the centrist D66 party looks on course to beat the far right in the national election. Exit polls have predicted Rob Jetten's party will claim victory, which could lead him to become the country's youngest ever prime minister.

Amsterdam

Dutch centrist party wins big in election as far right loses support

President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military on Thursday (October 30) to immediately resume testing nuclear weapons after a gap of 33 years, minutes before beginning a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump tells Pentagon to resume testing U.S. nuclear weapons

President Trump will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This is their first face-to-face since Mr. Trump returned to the White House. Jessi Mitchell anchors this Special Report.

Trump, Xi Jinping meet face-to-face in South Korea over trade

The Bank of Canada made a 25-basis-point cut to its key interest rate while governor Tiff Macklem suggested rates will hold where they are as long as inflation stays in the target range of two per cent.

Ottawa

Bank of Canada cuts key interest rate to 2.25%

After leaving Jamaica with widespread power outages and flooding, Melissa caused fatal flooding in Haiti that has killed 25 people and hit Cuba with a storm surge.

Port-au-Prince

Hurricane Melissa causes floods in Haiti, killing at least 25

Fentanyl production tops the agenda as the U.S. and China discuss curbing exports tied to the deadly opioid crisis.

Fentanyl crackdown central in U.S.-China talks

APEC members face economic uncertainty amid rising US-China rivalry—South Korea prepares for potential fallout from high-stakes talks.

U.S.-China trade tensions leave South Korea navigating APEC fallout

President Putin announced that the Poseidon super torpedo was successfully tested and cannot be intercepted, marking a new stage in Russia’s naval capabilities.

Moscow

Russia says its successfully tested nuclear-capable underwater drone

The Justice Department has put D.C. prosecutors on leave after they submitted a court memo describing those who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021 as "rioters." The filing was in a case involving Taylor Taranto, who was part of the Capitol riot and is currently facing unrelated weapons charges.

DOJ sidelines prosecutors over Jan. 6 'rioters' court filing

Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff's deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey in her home in 2024, was found guilty of second-degree murder.

Illinois

Ex-officer found guilty of murder in Sonya Massey shooting

President Donald Trump is sending America's largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean to help stop small boats he says are transporting drugs to the U.S. Trump says the U.S. is in "armed conflict" with Venezuelan drug cartels.

U.S. masses more naval forces off coast of Venezuela

The U.S. Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it will lower its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points in its second straight cut.

Fed lowers interest rates by 0.25 percentage points

The police operation was one of the most violent in Brazil’s recent history, with human rights organizations calling for investigations into the deaths.

Rio de Janeiro

Raid on Rio drug trafficking gang leaves at least 64 dead

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba on Wednesday after ripping through Jamaica. CBS News' Jarred Hill has more details.

Havana

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Cuba after slamming Jamaica

U.S. President Donald Trump landed in South Korea on Wednesday (October 29) for the final leg of his Asia trip, optimistic about striking a trade war truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping after summit talks with South Korea's Lee Jae Myung.

Breakdown