Gold recorded a rise of Rs 405 to touch Rs 12,865 per 10 gm in Mumbai. The price of yellow metal breached the psychological level of Rs 13,000-mark in Kolkata after a gap of 10 days, while it was just of short of Rs 20 from the Rs 13k in Delhi.

Prices of gold have gone up by more than Rs 1,500 since January 11, 2008, when it closed at Rs 11,355 per 10 gm in Mumbai bullion market. Gold prices firmed up in the global market due to the rise in oil prices and weakness of the U.S. Dollar against the Euro.

The Assam Government has declared a high alert following the rapid spread of deadly bird flu outbreak to newer areas in the state.

Thus far, seven Assam districts, which include Nalbari, Barpeta, Baksa, Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh, Kamrup (rural) and Kamrup (city) have been hit hard.

According to officials, mass culling of poultry has begun in these areas, and around 40,000 poultry birds will be culled by the end of this week.

Dr. Raman Singh was sworn in as chief minister of Chhattisgarh, on Friday, for a second consecutive term. Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan administered the oaths of office and secrecy to the 56-year-old Raman Singh.

About 15,000 workers of the BJP as well as party president Rajnath Singh and senior leader L.K. Advani attended the ceremony at the Police Parade Ground in Raipur.

Following a similar move by Jet Airways, Vijay Mallya-controlled Kingfisher Airlines announced that it would pay a 3 percent commission on the total ticket price to travel agents.

A Kingfisher spokesman stated that the commission would come into effect from Friday (Dec 12).

The spokesperson also said that Kingfisher has also backed away its transaction charge on tickets, which was introduced following the abolishment of a 5% commission to travel agents on October 31.