Once the world’s top exporter of black caviar, Russia is building fish farms to harvest the gourmet delicacy as it aims to bring its sturgeon stocks back from the brink.

In Gamzyuki, a tiny village in the Kaluga region, around 200 kilometres (125 miles) south of Moscow, a fish farm has the ambitious goal of producing 16 tons of the sturgeon eggs per year by 2014.

It is one of dozens of sturgeon farms that have opened in Russia recently, aiming to rebuild the nation’s reputation as the world’s premium exporter of caviar.

The world’s highest hotel opened its doors in Hong Kong on Tuesday, offering unrivalled panoramic views of the world famous Victoria Harbour.

Towering some 490 metres (1,600 feet) above the bustling, chaotic streets of the Southern Chinese city, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel is making a grand comeback after temporarily closing in 2008.

Visitors peered out of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the 118th floor of the International Commerce Centre, which houses the hotel, for a 360 degree view of the glitzy financial hub and the South China Sea.

If you’re looking for an ethical bed for the night, Marriott or Wyndham might be the easiest options, according to a recently-released survey.

The hotel giants were selected among the four most ethical hotel chains in the world, along with two smaller competitors — luxury chain Kimpton and German group Rezidor Hotels (operators of Radisson Blu and Park Inn).

All four were chosen as the leading travel providers among the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere, an international think tank.

BMW is to launch a plug-in hybrid model in China next month, designed specifically for the Chinese market, it has emerged.

The company’s boss Norbert Reithofer said recently that the new “new energy vehicle” model would be based on the 5-Series and unveiled at Auto Shanghai, describing it as “our e-car from China for China.”

It is squarely aimed at China’s rapidly-growing luxury market and is set to feature the same long wheel base as its Chinese-only predecessor, the 535Li, which was designed to add more comfort to those wishing to be chauffeur-driven.

Harry Winston has unveiled at Baselworld 2011 the Opus Eleven, created in partnership with Denis Giguet (MCT).

Three overlapping cylinders on three levels are configured to deconstruct time – the main circle is the hour’s domain, flanked by two pavilions.

One sub-circle shows the minutes on a jumping disk for the tens and a running disk for the units; the other shows off the beat of the big titanium balance-wheel.

A portrait of Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor by Andy Warhol is expected to fetch up to $30m at an auction in New York.

“Liz #5″ is owned by hedge-fund manager Steven Cohen. The 1963 silkscreen will be sold at Phillips de Pury at its contemporary art sale on May 12.

The portrait shows the legendary actress smiling and her eyelids covered in blue eye shadow.