Apple Says It Has Stopped All Product Sales In Russia
The tech giant had faced pressure to curtail sales following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
2 min
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Apple Inc. has stopped selling iPhones and other products in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Cupertino, Calif., tech giant on Tuesday said the sales halt came along with blocking the download of the state-sponsored news outlets through its App Store outside of Russia.
“We are deeply concerned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stand with all of the people who are suffering as a result of the violence,” Apple said Tuesday. “We are supporting humanitarian efforts, providing aid for the unfolding refugee crisis, and doing all we can to support our teams in the region.”
Silicon Valley’s big technology companies have been facing greater pressure to cut off services and content to Russia. On Friday, Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov asked Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook to stop supplying Apple products and services to Russia, including halting access to the App Store.
The App Store remained operational in Russia. During the third quarter of last year, Apple held 15% of the smartphone market in Russia behind Samsung and Xiaomi, according to researcher IDC.
Last week, Apple said, it stopped the export of its products to Russian sales channels. Apple Pay has also been limited in Russia and it also disabled traffic and live incidents from its Maps in Ukraine, the company said.
In addition to Apple, Mr. Fedorov had targeted other tech giants, including a request to Elon Musk that his rocket company Space Exploration Technologies Corp. send its Starlink satellite-based internet service to Ukraine. Mr. Musk quickly obliged.
Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube has restricted access to RT and other Russian channels in Ukraine following the request of the government there. Google also disabled its live traffic data in Ukraine on Google Maps.
Dell Technologies Inc. also moved to suspend product sales in Russia. The company said Tuesday it was monitoring the situation to determine its next steps and working to assist employees affected by the conflict.
Reprinted by permission of The Wall Street Journal, Copyright 2021 Dow Jones & Company. Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Original date of publication: March 2, 2022
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
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Andy Warhol’s portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II sold for C$1.14 million (US$855,000) at an auction last week, setting a record price for an editioned print by the Pop artist, the Canadian auction house Heffel said.
Warhol created the screenprint in 1985 based on a photograph taken by Peter Grugeon at Windsor Castle in 1975, which was released in 1977 on the occasion of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, according to Heffel.
Queen Elizabeth II died in September at the age of 96 after a seven-decade reign, making her one of the longest-reigning monarchs in history.
The portrait features the then-reigning Queen wearing the diamond-and-pearl Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara and a matching necklace, and a blue sash pinned with a medallion with a miniature portrait of her father, George VI, on regal blue background. The outline of the portrait was accentuated by diamond dust, which glimmered in the light.
This print is one of only two editions signed as “HC” for Hors d’Commerce (not for sale) aside from the 30 numbered editions with this colour scheme and diamond dust, according to Heffel.
The consignor acquired the print circa 1996 from Bob Rennie, a prominent Vancouver businessman and collector, according to Heffel, which declined to disclose the identities of the consignor and the buyer.
Offered as a highlight at Heffel’s 85-lot auction of Post-War and contemporary art on Nov. 24 in Toronto, the print realised a price more than double its presale estimate, and was the highest achieved by an editioned print by Warhol, the auction house said.
The previous auction record for an editioned Warhol print was for a piece from the same edition, also in the regal blue colour, sold in September at Sotheby’s for £554,400 (US$662,000), according to Heffel.
The most expensive Warhol work is his portrait of Marilyn Monroe, Shot Sage Blue Marilyn, which was acquired by gallerist Larry Gagosian at a Christie’s auction in May for US$195 million, marking a record price for a work by an American artist at auction.
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
