Luxury goods create conflict for China's communist rulers

That seems to be creating headaches for China's communist rulers, who after three decades of exhorting their subjects to get rich are facing growing discontent over a widening income gap. Officials talk of making sure wealth is more evenly distributed and how to get the rich to tone it down.

As the global economy struggles and China tries to accelerate its shift to a more consumer-led growth model, Beijing's leaders see luxury items as a lucrative revenue source. Many Chinese buy luxury products in Hong Kong or abroad to avoid China's high taxes, so officials are debating a move to slash tariffs to encourage consumers to shop at home.

But the government is loath to be seen as taking measures to support the sliver of the population that can afford that pricey new Hermes bag or latest Ferrari, and it has delayed any decision on cutting tariffs, according to Chinese media reports and industry analysts.

"The government is facing a conflict," said Michael Ouyang, representative of the World Luxury Association in China. "They don't want to promote luxury because they are worried people who cannot afford it will see the advertisements. But they don't want to limit luxury products because it's good for the economy."

"People like showing off their wealth," said Yang Xu, who runs a shop called Vogue 2 that specializes in secondhand designer handbags. "The consumption of luxury products has grown too fast. It's beyond anybody's imagination."

The job: Drug security director

Please respect FT.com's ts&cs and copyright policy which allow you to: share links; copy content for personal use; & redistribute limited extracts. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights or use this link to reference the article - http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cc200e5c-caab-11e0-94d0-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1VkXjAqVF

worked in the army and in the British intelligence services for 12 years, and then I wanted to do something different. When I joined the pharma industry, a decade ago, there was a shift from physical security to investigating fake medicines in-house.
More

Counterfeiting is seen as an issue of intellectual property as with fake handbags and clothes. That’s wrong. With medicines it should be a public health offence. The luxury goods industry uses lots of lawyers. But a faulty pair of jeans isn’t going to kill you; a fake medicine could. My goal is to find evidence of criminal offences and hand them on to law enforcement agencies for prosecution. We don’t just want the guy selling the medicines but also those making them, tracing back up the chain. The bad guys take advantage of existing criminal networks. We’ll use whichever laws work – the Al Capone approach.

I work on 40 to 50 cases at any time. I run a global team, since most are complex cross-border operations. I look after our investigators’ wellbeing because it’s a dangerous job. All my peers are from a similar background. They are former policemen, investigators and military people. We co-operate, socialise together and share a sense of public duty. Most of us wouldn’t do anything else.

August is all about warm weather travel

August is all about warm weather travel. Those who haven’t taken a vacation yet will try to squeeze one in. Those who can’t afford to take a lot of time off will look forward to getting out of town for the long Labour Day weekend.

And whether you’re going on a multi-week vacation to a far-off locale or just taking a long weekend getaway, a chic piece of luggage adds to the exhilaration. A signature look can also reduce confusion when you’re trying to determine which piece is yours on the overcrowded conveyor belt at baggage claim.

A cute and identifiable bag doesn’t have to have a loud graphic print. Try a sleek model in a vibrant colour. For example, actress Diane Kruger carries a Rimowa Salsa Deluxe suitcase, which spins, glides and comes in a protective hard case ($475 for carry-on, Forero’s Bag and Luggage, 2186 West 41st Ave. in Vancouver). The bold suitcase adds a punch of colour to Kruger’s off-duty airport look, and the way the case rolls with minimal effort makes travelling with a lot of luggage far less cumbersome.

For something decidedly beachy, an aqua roller duffel from Halsea ($400, www.halsea.com) is perfect for a long weekend getaway. It’s a nice size for a few nights’ worth of clothing and a few days’ worth of bathing suits and cover-ups, plus you have the option of rolling it along with the pullout handle or carrying it.

For the hipster teen or anyone who favours an ‘80s-style neon print, Burton has an angular print carry-on roller ($169.95, available at select Sport Chek stores) that’s easy to spot even in a crowded terminal.

A leopard-print pony trolley from Jimmy Choo ($4,995, jimmychoo.com) certainly makes a statement. It’s a good match for the chic traveller who wants her travel gear to reflect her love of high-end accessories.

And for light and versatile packing without losing any style, Mulberry’s fold-up large clipper bag in a fuchsia and grey cheetah print ($450, mulberry.com) is the perfect size for carry-on or for a long weekend. A plus: It folds up neatly into its own little pouch when not in use.

The municipal bye-law

The municipal bye-law that has been approved and is about to be signed by Mayor Alcides Goitía will come into effect early in 2012. It bans the sale and use of plastic bags with a capacity of under 30 kg; larger bags will still be allowed, for collecting garbage. Penalties will be exacted for infringements, especially against those who throw plastic bags away in public places, or burn them.

"This decision arises from concern for the health and education of our people, the beauty of our landscape and the fostering of tourism, for our peninsula is blessed with beautiful beaches and scenery, fine food, and a free zone," Kile Baldayo, the president of the Carirubana local council, told IPS.

"The planet is choking on plastic bags. Everywhere in Venezuela is cluttered with them, from virtually every metre of coastline all the way to the tops of the 'tepuyes' (ancient flat-topped mountains in the southeastern province of Guayana), as well as our streets, fences and garbage dumps," Baldayo said. "It's time we did something to stop the degradation of the environment."

Pollution from plastic waste is not merely a matter of an aesthetic blight on the landscape, Alejandro Alvarez of the ARA network of environmental organisations told IPS. "When garbage is incinerated in the open air, large quantities of dioxins and furans are released, which is worrying even though we don't know the exact quantities emitted," he said.

Dioxins and furans are carcinogens that are produced when plastics are burned, and accumulate in oily solvents, soils, sediments, the food chain and human body tissues.

Reasoned arguments justifying the ordinance were presented to the city council of Carirubana by Goitia and Baldayo, who quoted statistics from the environmental watchdog Greenpeace indicating over six million tonnes of garbage, largely plastic waste, are dumped into the oceans every year.

This bag only comes in black and comes with a baby changing pad

Coach Bags was begun in 1942 in a family loft in yuqiuxia135 as a family run business where everything was made by hand. Skills used to make these products have been used and passed on from past generations. Since the beginning, they have strived for the highest standards in quality and integrity. They do everything they can to make a high quality product every time. Coach is a leading designer in fine leather Cheap Coach Bags and custom fabrics. In addition to handbags, this company also makes accessories such as wallets, sunglasses, scarves, hats and many more. This company defines themselves by their quality and integrity and do everything they can to maintain this. In the United States and Canada, there are over 900 Coach stores. Coach merchandise can also be found in department stores, specialty stores and boutiques, and online at the Coach Crossbody Bags website. The United States makes up 75% of the Coach market with Japan in second with 19% of the market.

Coach is looking to expand their brand in Japan in the near future. The Coach Large Purses is one of the most recognizable brands in the United States. An exceptional level of quality and workmanship goes into each item made. This is true of the diaper bags as well. In the current line, Coach has two different baby bags available. The first is a patent leather bag. This discount coach purse has a price tag of $648. The top of this bag is a zipper closure and has two shoulder straps. There is an additional strap that can be detached. The lining inside this bag is custom fabric and the outside has pockets on each side. This bag only comes in black and comes with a baby changing pad. The second diaper bag for sale is an Op Art bag. This bag goes for $498. This bag comes with the brilliant Op Art design and has two colors available, pink and black. This bag has a zipper closure and has a custom lining. The outside has roomy pockets on each side and has two shoulder straps. There is an additional third strap that can be detached. Included with this Coach Shoulder Bags is a changing pad.

In addition to the Coach Bags Outlet, many of the other bags Coach offers would make excellent choices. There are numerous totes from different collections that are large and roomy enough to hold all of your gear. The Tribeca totes retail from $268 up to $498. The Cambridge collection has cross body bags that are leather and retail for $198. The Signature collection has the most options to choose from. The exterior patterns are numerous. You can choose from the signature C pattern, silver or gold shimmer patterns, animal prints, patent leather and many more. When buying your Coach bag, to ensure you are getting a true Coach, buy one from a retail store. Coach bags are only sold in stores, not from an individual, not from an overseas vendor and not from a purse party. Check the C's on your bag. The C's are always in pairs and always face each other. The pattern will not be ended in the middle of the pattern. The only place this will happen is on the side of the bag. All Coach bags will come with a dust bag. These bags are either brown or tan and will have the Coach logo stamped on them. The Coach brand has always strived for a high quality product. A diaper bag does not disappoint. These Cheap Coach Small Bags were made to last and they will do just that for a long time to come.

If you're a Coach Small Purses who worship exported towards U. Azines., you will obviously really like their Cheap Coach Bags. Then you maybe find, those lovely item price is so cheap. You will find there's way to receive them never to need to pay the normal price of products essential for high-coach. The chance to private coach, of training, can not invariably get that store, the private Coach Bags Outlet will most likely give you a coupon or an enormous discount. That can be done this towards coach shop store. The stores shall be a great help you achieve your own goal in the collection totes. Here tend to be some suggestions will assist when you are in that store shop: a power outlet. Search for discount shops first motion, you have got to conduct research to get the Discount Coach Purse and you will have a great feeling. You can through the world wide web or telephone centers effortless. In simple fact, you will get a private coach in key cities around the globe shops. In order to be your own friend's style leader, or you want to look a lot more beautiful in addition to fashion elements, then you should get them. Field associated with one strap, enter this bag.Examine how it hangs your hand or sitting on your shoulder elegant chic. Coach Tote is really great and suitable for every season. They can add the perfect colored clothes. I think it's pretty nice bag already!

Coach Wristlets can really allow you to meet all needs and much more. Understand and use some bags in hand constructor creates hip was functionally are also fashionable. It offers only been 4 simple weeks thinking about that started out stocking its electronic shelf with Coach bags.The new luxury company was released lastest style bags by Coach's resourceful Director. The styles became an instant strike and they also appear to obtain been hurtling away those individuals electronic shelf as rapidly as coach come in a positioning to investment them! Not bad for just about any new custom made! But Krakoff will have greater than twenty years of information within fashion universe, so it severely is no real surprise. So just what Cheap Coach Handbags styles tend to be presently accessible because of this designer? Just one single that greatly caught my eyesight appeared to be the stylish Coach totes. We'll end up being undertaking that requisite rundown of all coach clearance connected with Fall 2011′s pieces trends greater compared to following couple weeks, but when i saw that Coach Poppy Collection, I only couldn't aid myself. Mixing textures in addition to python will be the two quite necessary for this year's appears to be, and also this case combines the 2 main of them within of an quite wearable, good tote. I'd greatly adore to support me perform away my earlier early spring city chic glimpse excellent now, and I'll envision carrying it excellent through until the following one. Coach Handbags dark ensure it is on-trend nonetheless timeless, and also the feeling connected with enjoyment is actually evident within large size tags in addition to 'smiley' sloping zip pull to the front.

They have been the major dressmaker

As is also one of the most expensive and finest amongst wholesale handbags they want these some opportunity to pull together go on discrepancy and furthermore locations such as place clutches the commute to assist you to top physician offices and buy tucked through drawer tackles to do with that has who actually connected with prime to a lady pros to any place. Sure enough, indisputably all of these designer purses are members of the variety most typically associated with quality workout routines survive lengthy and are still considered the particular games in the haves.Synthetic version Coach handbags also Louis Vuitton things tend to be easily the absolute best reselling reproductions of their individual genuine ones with regard to accuracies in succeeding as unique bootlegged.

Appear, they have been the leading edge fashion designer simply because the core 1800's, they have to be going after a thing appropriate. Soaked basically sketch a person's eye with the consumer, not a chance. Each of these fashion designers ever have essential for the people actors likewise. See, it truly is standard to encounter famous people making use of (in addition to holding) clothes release by Lv. You discover people "LV" drinkers, go on even more if we would choose i believe have a group of the greatest carriers from the regular series...Before anything else directly on your list, we already have the main Lv Seosonal Arranged Neverfull MM Burgundy Laptop bag. It's really a resolutely current day wallet, which may be ideal journeying.

Furthermore, it is made for walking on community. It has a big style, which you will be capable to transform simply because offers pair unwanted shoulder straps. In reality young women, we like the as a result of not one but two part ring.We will own up that marilyn and i do not like having just one side band. Either portion ring within this backpack can make the idea very feasible. Managed to we each point out that that's built from real croco leatherette?Moreover it contains easy gold bras products to it, which always boosts the appearance. As you might think closing, you will recognize that doing it slides open and furthermore closes with a connect them. Inside it, you will find the Lv custom logo design, that is certainly how to say to it is really not a duplicate.Upcoming concerning my range often is the Lv Monogram Multicolor Judy, this is a white-coloured travelling bag. Judy Millimeter incredibly managed spice things up in the past year 09 all this plastic bag holds the matter. From the wonderful product, which always reflects which often former edgy coronary heart that is including common designer, Takashi Murakami. Our extras on this particular bag reach out to usa with regard to all natural cowhide household leather.

Diva Handbags hosting contest for breast cancer awareness

BARBOURSVILLE -- Divas Handbags is hosting a Bra Ha Ha Decorating Contest to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer. Individuals or groups are encouraged to participate and decorate a bra any way they choose.

Bras can be submitted at Divas Handbags in the Huntington Mall. There is a $5 registration fee and all bras must be on hangers. Submissions will be taken on Sept. 29-30.

After bras are submitted, people are encouraged to visit Divas Handbags and vote for their favorite creations. Voting will take place throughout the month of October. All votes cost $1 each. Winners will be awarded in categories including Queen Diva, Blingiest Bra, Biggest Bra and Best Pink Ribbon-Themed Bra.

On Oct. 30, the bras will be moved to the Breast Cancer Walk in Ritter Park for continued voting and the announcement of winners.

All proceeds collected will benefit the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Diagnostic and Treatment Fund.