Oil prices fall after jobless rate hits 26-year high

Oil prices fell Friday after the world's biggest energy consumer the United States reported a rise in its unemployment rate and as traders booked profits before a long US holiday weekend. Ahead of the employment data crude futures had been rising steadily, recovering from falls suffered on Thursday. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for October delivery, dipped five cents to 67.91 dollars a barrel after the US jobs report for August. Brent North Sea crude for October delivery was 23 cents lower at 66.89 dollars a barrel in afternoon London trading.