Germany: Aga Khan's Islamic treasures go on show in Berlin
16 March 2010 - More than 200 items from the Aga Khan's collection of Islamic treasures are going on show in Berlin in an exhibition spanning a millennium and covering half the globe. The Aga Khan is spiritual leader of 20 million Shia Ismaili Muslims. The exhibits' permanent home in Toronto should be ready in mid-2013. (more)

Global investment management firm Franklin prefers India to China for equities
16 March 2010 - India offers better opportunities for equity investors compared with China as the growth potential is stronger and there are more quality Indian companies to choose from, Franklin Templeton's international chief investment officer said recently. (more)

Hot water for Chile's low-income families, courtesy of the sun
16 March 2010 - In Santiago, Chile there is a pilot programme to install solar water heaters in the houses of low-income families. Solar water heaters are already popular in China, Israel, and Spain. California recently approved rebates for switching from gas or electric water heaters to solar units, and beginning this year Hawaii will make solar water heaters mandatory on all new homes. (more)

New railway links north and south Sudan
16 March 2010 - Sudan on 11 March inaugurated a railway linking the north and south for the first time since decades of civil war ripped Africa's largest country apart. Officials said the railway will provide a crucial economic link and lower commercial transportation costs. (more)

Shopping gets a conscience in Asia Pacific - survey
16 March 2010 - Commercialism is developing a conscience in the Asia Pacific region, where over six in 10 shoppers are buying items that are either 'fair trade' or environmentally friendly, a survey shows. The MasterCard poll, which involved consumers from several countries, also found 70 per cent of respondents said they would go out of their way to purchase ecologically sound gifts, and don't mind paying extra for them. (more)

UBS Taiwan plans $312 million China, Russia equities fund
16 March 2010 - The Taiwan fund arm of UBS will launch a T$10 billion ($312 million) emerging markets equities fund this year targeting China and Russia, on expectations of stronger growth and cheaper valuations, an executive said. China, Russia, Brazil, India and other emerging markets are attractive to UBS, the world's biggest wealth manager, and other Taiwan fund houses as stock prices are cheaper and economies are recovering at a faster pace from the global financial crisis. (more)