Oil prices jump after US orders diplomats to leave Middle East

Oil prices rose on Thursday after Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia prompted Washington to order some diplomats and their family members to leave US missions in the kingdom, Reuters reported. Brent crude futures rose by $1.29, or 1.2 per cent, to $110.11 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 97 cents, or 1 per cent, to $98.12 a barrel. Brent crude closed little changed on Wednesday, while WTI fell by 67 cents. OPINION: Beyond oil: The Gulf crisis is becoming a food security crisis Earlier on Wednesday, the US State Department ordered non-essential staff at its embassy in Riyadh and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, which has faced near-daily attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement.  A diplomatic […]