US-based technology company Apple on Thursday reported a bottom line of nearly $34 billion in the first quarter to December 30, fuelled by iPhone sales. Revenue rose by 2% to $119.6 billion, the first increase in revenue after four quarters of decline. In the China segment, which includes Apple’s business in Taiwan and Hong Kong, the US company registered a decline in revenue of around 13%. The iPhone was once again a driving force with a sales increase of around 6% to $69.7 billion, the company said after the close of the US stock exchange on Thursday. According to analysts, Apple became the …