Smartphone supply edges pre-pandemic

News of the day, Tuesday, 18 January: 

Mideast tensions and limited supply made Brent crude reach a 7-year maximum of $87.55. Supply has interrupted after a Houthi group attacked the UAE fuel company ADNOC. Houthi is an Iranian-supported radical Islamic group from Yemen. Previously they have struck Saudi Arabia. WTI crude rose as well – by $1.13 to $84.95 a barrel. 

Australia has experienced the deadliest day since the start of the pandemic. A total of 77 deaths beats the previous maximum of 57 people. Officials insist that most of the patients were unvaccinated and omicron-infected young people. 

China's mobile phone sector had recovered from the pandemic crisis. China's government reports 342.8 million smartphones have been shipped to customers in 2021, which is 15.9% above from 2020. The 2019 pre-pandemic phone domestic supply levels were 372 million pieces. 

The price of Brent crude is 87.55$, WTI — $84.95, GBP/USD — 1.3640, EUR/USD — 1.1394, and gold costs $1813.65 per ounce.