Oil prices are climbing as April's manufacturing rate expanded at the fastest pace in 10 months, signaling more demand for energy products, AP reported. Benchmark oil rose $1.22 Tuesday to $106.09 per barrel in morning trading in New York. Brent crude increased by 44 cents to $119.91 in London. A purchasing managers' trade group said U.S. manufacturing benefited from new orders and more production. A measure of employment also increased. In addition, Chinese manufacturing expanded for a fifth straight month. Concerns remain about Europe's struggle with a massive government debt crisis that is hurting the region's economy. -- SPA