Crude futures settle higher

NEW YORK, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices climbed on Monday.

The West Texas Intermediate for May delivery went up 83 cents, or 1.22 percent, to settle at 69.11 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for May delivery gained 84 cents, or 1.16 percent, to settle at 73.00 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.