Gold rose more than half a percent on Friday after Asian equities advanced and crude oil firmed on rising tensions in the Middle East and North Africa, but the worsening nuclear crisis in Japan could keep a lid on gains. Spot gold added $11.35 o $1,413.75 an ounce by 0722 GMT.
Bullion rallied to a record around $1,444 last week on high oil prices, fears about civil war in Libya, unrest in the Middle East and renewed worries about sovereign debt crisis in Europe.