Crude futures settle higher

NEW YORK, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices rose on Thursday.

The West Texas Intermediate for March delivery climbed 2.21 U.S. dollars, or 3.5 percent, to settle at 65.42 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for March delivery gained 2.31 dollars, or 3.38 percent, to settle at 70.71 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.