Crude futures settle higher

NEW YORK, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices climbed on Tuesday.

The West Texas Intermediate for February delivery increased 86 cents, or 1.24 percent, to settle at 70.1 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for February delivery gained 95 cents, or 1.31 percent, to settle at 73.58 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.