Global oil prices climb close to $100 a barrel amid attacks in Red Sea
Global oil prices neared $100 a barrel on Thursday as the conflict in the Middle East escalated, with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen targeting shipping in the Red Sea. Brent crude, the international standard, reached $98.82 a barrel, up $4.75, or 5.05%, according to oilprice.com. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, hit $90.67 a barrel, up…