Today, with the brand poised for international expansion, Angostura Lemon Lime and Bitters has launched a new, redesigned packaging, supported by an advertising campaign — “Live Love Be” — which communicates the brand’s core attributes to its many consumers.

The new packaging, designed by Good Creative UK, retains the striking lemon and lime colour palette that is intrinsic to the brand, while elevating the iconic Angostura logo to the head of the design, making it a key focal point.

“The packaging redesign strengthens the connection between Angostura Lemon Lime and Bitters and its ‘mother brand,’ Angostura aromatic bitters, through elements such as the yellow tab,” says Angostura CEO Genevieve Jodhan.

“The effect of this will be to reinforce the fact that Angostura Lemon Lime and Bitters is the only carbonated soft drink in the world that contains Angostura aromatic bitters,” Jodhan adds, “Our goal is to align the look and essence of the brand in all of our markets as we build the brand globally.” In-depth consumer research guided the brand’s Live Love Be campaign, which recognises that Angostura Lemon Lime and Bitters consumers are socially active and focused on the enrichment of life and inclusiveness.

“The Live Love Be campaign includes a well-rounded combination of media and promotional activity and a very strong presence in our trade channels,” says brand manager Lawn Davis, “It reflects the personality of Angostura Lemon Lime and Bitters consumers: They Live by being aware and involved in every actual, waking moment; they Love whole-heartedly and go for it with all that they’ve got and Be, by staying true to who they are.” The new packaging and advertising campaign rolled out on May 11

Imbert presented the Mid- Year Review in the House of Representatives last Wednesday .

The House subsequently approved the Finance Bill 2017 last Thursday. Imbert opened debate on the bill in the Senate yesterday. In its analysis of the Mid-Year Review, KPMG agreed with Imbert that weakness in tax administration at the Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) and Customs and Excise continues to be a problem in TT .

To this end, KPMG supported Imbert’s intention to bring legislation to Parliament before the end of this fiscal year to establish a Revenue Authority. “This much welcomed measure would be supported by a major employment programme consisting of graduates to assist with VAT and other tax collections,” the firm said. In reviewing the contents of the Mid-Year Review, KPMG said it was hopeful that, “the worst is over and some light has begun to emerge at the end of the tunnel.” KPMG welcomed Imbert’s attempt to shed some light on and increase the level of transparency, regarding the country’s current economic conditions. In noting that the deadline for the implementation of property tax will take place from May 22, KPMG said there are some industrial and commercial property owners who believe the tax applies to them. In this regard, KPMG said Imbert should advise the business community as to whether the May 22 deadline applies to them. Noting the recent passage of FATCA legislation, KPMG said Imbert gave the assurance that the requisite systems are being put in place to assist the BIR in complying with the requirements of the legislation. KPMG encouraged Government to press ahead with its plans to regulate the gambling industry as it can earn the country as much as $10 billion annually. On Imbert’s updates regarding the sale of assets, KPMG said Government should seek and participate in more sustainable and consistent means of raising revenue .

KPMG said reform of the country’s oil and gas fiscal regime is long overdue. The firm noted that in Imbert’s presentation, there were little or no statements made about the number of people, “retrenched during the downturn.” KPMG also said there was little or no mention of initiatives regarding further diversification of the economy, as well as fiscal measures to generate new sources of revenue .

The firm added, “We noted that no update/mention was provided on the much touted transfer pricing legislation.”

The problem has gone on for too long and it is not good for the capital city nor the country as a whole. It is not proper for citizens to be living on the street. Look at the sanitary conditions and how they handle their bathroom issues. If we are confessing care, let us show it.

It is also not fair to citizens living, working, shopping or simply visiting Port-of-Spain to have to encounter this situation everyday. What would visitors to the country think? Let us stop the talk and treat everyone fairly, including the homeless. Please do something about this problem.

ARNOLD GOPEESINGH via email

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said the objective is to reduce the number of visits to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department by people with NCDs. “Many of our resources in A&E are taken up by people with chronic diseases (such as) uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension and they present in an emergency situation.

What we are trying to do now; as part of the PNM manifesto on primary health care, is to track those patients and treat them in their homes before it becomes an emergency.” The minister said this would achieve four things. “Patients have a better quality of life, their conditions are better managed because they are getting primary health care at home, it decreases the demand for A&E (services) and it decreases the demand for acute bed space.” The WTTP is also being undertaken “to some extent” at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH).

“I want to focus this initiative at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex and at SFGH because that’s where the burden of NCDs is the greatest in the country. (From their homes), those patients can get their blood pressure checked, get advice and be told how to manage their conditions, so they don’t present at A&E.” Deyalsingh was speaking with reporters at the Mt Hope Women’s Hospital, EW MSC, Mt Hope yesterday after visiting first-time mom, Evanna Peters, who gave birth to a girl at 12.01 am on Mother’s Day.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NCRHA, Davlin Thomas, said the WTTP “creates (temporary) hospitals of churches, mosques, temples (where) we see hundreds of people for preventative medical screening.” Adding to this, the minister recalled that during one of their first such screenings; held at the Curepe Presbyterian Church, Curepe, “We picked up a young boy, seven-years-old, who had acute stomach pain.” “It turned out to be appendicitis. If that wasn’t picked up and he wasn’t rushed immediately here (EW MSC) to have his appendix removed” he paused before saying, “We saved a life.” Deyalsingh said there are such interventions taking place, thanks to Government’s promotion of primary health care intervention.

Referring to a Trinidad Express article which claimed that Economic Advisory Board chairman Dr Terrence Farrell that that Central Bank should not be telling commercial banks to prioritise foreign exchange to manufacturers, Imbert said some commentators piggy-backed on Farrell’s alleged comments, “without thinking for themselves.” As he explained this practice is not something that “fell from the sky,” Imbert quoted a March 2, 2009 aide memoir from the Central Bank which supported this position. “At least for the last eight years, the Central Bank has been telling the commercial banks what to do with the foreign exchange that it injects into the system,” he said. Imbert then quoted from a November 15, 2010 letter issued by the Central Bank, under the then People’s Partnership government.

In that letter, Imbert said the manufacturing sector reported at that time, “it was experiencing acute difficulties in obtaining foreign exchange.” He added that the Central Bank requested seven years ago that commercial banks give priority for foreign exchange to manufacturers. “I want to put that to rest,” the minister said.

Imbert then disclosed he got a lot of letters about property tax from Opposition United National Congress (UNC) members.

When Opposition members queried this, Imbert replied, “Anand Ramlogan is not UNC? Gerald Ramdeen is not UNC?” Former attorney general Ramlogan is leading a legal team representing former transport minister Devant Maharaj and UNC activist Ravi Balgobin Maharaj, who are challenging the tax’s implementation.

Imbert reiterated that this country’s property tax is among the lowest in the world and “no less a person” than his immediate predecessor Larry Howai described property tax as “a fair and equitable tax” in 2014. Turning to gambling, Imbert reiterated Government’s intentions to properly regulate the gambling sector in TT. While he said he, “does not know what the inside of a casino looks like,” Imbert said Opposition MPs in the House of Representatives were very “gung ho” in telling him about casinos which operate in their constituencies.

Asked if she felt the tax needed to be amended, Panday said, “In a short answer, ‘yes’. But there have been some persons who have filed (court) matters and are calling for certain amendments…but I do think ‘yes’, to ensure the act is tailored properly. I don’t think the act in its current form is workable.” She added that once amended, any revenue from property tax should go to Local Government and the Corporations to be used to make people’s lives better. Panday was joined at the press conference by several members of the group among them Ved Seereeram, financial consultant and Dr Ronald Roopnarine, COSTATT senior lecturer and environmental and geo-technical scientist.

She added that the group’s problem with the property tax is that it is being hastily enforced to fill government’s budget deficit. “Since Government’s announcement to implement the property tax, it has become clear to us there are thousands of property owners who are unaware of what the property tax will mean to them,” she said.

She said it has been creating great uncertainty and unease in the country. “This feeling of despair and confusion continues to be fuelled by a barrage of conflicting information from Government, the Opposition and lawyers alike, which includes advice to tear and destroy the form sent by Government requesting information about properties.” “If Government is serious about alleviating these fears and avoiding mass hysteria, as the time looms nearer to the deadline, the need to do more than simply direct people to the ministry of Finance website.

Hence a desperate need for an effective educational drive throughout the country,” she said.

She added that the Property Tax has been law since the first of January 2010 and continues to be law, to date, “even though payment was not enforced during the period 1 January 2010 to 31 of December 2015.” During the five year period the Property Tax was not repealed or abolished. Panday said the then Government during an Act of Parliament waived your legal obligation to pay and so it follows as soon as the wavier expired on the 31 December 2015, your obligation to pay was revived on the 1st of January 2016. She said this seemed to be why the Government was seeking to collect tax from 2016.

“It is unfortunate that the Government is hastily trying to collect the Property Tax without regard for the law and without having put systems in place to fairly implementing it. Most of all, ignoring, the realities that people are reeling under in the economic downturn, loss of jobs and decreased incomes, making them extremely vulnerable to what I describe as undignified scaremongering.” “Ours is the position, the only justification for some sort of property tax is if it will be used to upgrade and maintain the area where your property, residential, agricultural, industrial, commercial, is located.” She said further information, updates and times and the areas the group intends to visit will be posted on her Facebook page and Twitter Account; and from Wednesday, on the group’s website, TT can do Better.

Nyrell Hosein was victorious in the 46-kilogramme category while Juan Rodriguez got gold in the 53 kg. Also in winners’ row for the TT squad were Denzel Massy (63 kg) and Nickelle Joseph (75 kg).

The pugilists who returned home with silver medals from the second edition of the School Boys and Junior Champs were Abdul Taylor (39kg), Tyrique Hosein (43kg), Edwin Felix (54kg) and Blessing Waldropt (57kg).

The squad, which also included coaches Merril Simon and Jason Aqui, as well as manager Cecil Forde, returned home yesterday and were involved in a brief welcome reception at the VIP Lounge, Piarco International Airport.

According to Simon, “I think the team did well. It was very interesting with the youths and everybody was anxious to go out there and do it. They did what they said they (were) going to do.” He continued, “they fought well. They trained hard for it and there will be more to come in the future, so long as we get more youths on board. It’s a way to keep them off the streets and heading for what they want to do.” Concerning the attitude of the fighters, who ranged between 13-17 years of age, Simon remarked, “kids will always be kids. You have to keep looking after them and looking over them.

“You just have to keep them concentrated on what they (came) to do.

“But they (were) in high spirits so, even though they behaved badly at times, you’ll get 100 percent out of (them).” The event, which began on Thursday and ran until Sunday, saw competitors from hosts Guyana, TT, St Lucia, Jamaica and Barbados.

.The Arouca / Maloney MP was speaking at a Mother’s Day service held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Port of Spain .

“I know there are times when, much to her distress, I walked other paths and other ways only to return to the path to which she had originally directed me,” Robinson-Regis said .

“For that mom, I am truly sorry. And yet, it is through those deviations I grew to love and appreciate her so much more. Today I pray that I have as much patience with my own girls as she had with me.” She said it is from her mother’s resilience, patience and understanding she has come to recognise the deepest and most profound source of her own being and the meaning behind everything that exists .

“If you have ever wondered about my own strength and resilience as a person in public life, I owe it all to my mother who nurtured me for this new wine vineyard. I have withstood the wickedness and snares of the devil of public life because my mother taught me that ‘Though weeping may endure for the night, joy cometh with the morning.’ And every time I walk into the Parliament chamber I say, with the psalmist (David), ‘Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff shall bring me comfort.” The theme of yesterday’s service was Nurturing Mothers and Families in the new wine Vineyard .

She said the new wine vineyard is not an easy place to be a mother because it is a place where mothers worry daily about the safety and security of their children .

Robinson-Regis said many of the challenges mothers face originate from their desire to please everyone and to prove that they can be superwomen .

The problem has gone on for too long and it is not good for the capital city nor the country as a whole. It is not proper for citizens to be living on the street. Look at the sanitary conditions and how they handle their bathroom issues. If we are confessing care, let us show it.

It is also not fair to citizens living, working, shopping or simply visiting Port-of-Spain to have to encounter this situation everyday. What would visitors to the country think? Let us stop the talk and treat everyone fairly, including the homeless. Please do something about this problem.

ARNOLD GOPEESINGH via email

On Friday evening, during an exhibition T20 match to officially launch the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba, Ambrose, who was Lara’s teammate on the WI team from 1990- 2000; served as the captain of the International XI that played against the Brian Lara T&T XI.

The 53-year-old lanky pacer opened the bowling for his team and started with a wide that left everyone wondering what had happened to the deadly accuracy which was the hallmark of the international career that brought him rewards of 405 Test wickets (98 Tests) and 225 One Day International (ODI) wickets (176 matches) that marks him as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all-time. Ambrose added drama to the proceedings as he walked straight to the umpire and held both hands and pulled them down to his side in a jovial gesture. Commenting on the state of the pitch, Ambrose stressed that “it’s a new pitch and it was slow. But with more preparation and a lot more matches on them, in the future will help to improve the overall standard and make them better for a good game of cricket.” The 54-year-old Malcolm, who claimed 128 Test wickets in a 40-match career, said, “the pitch was definitely on the slower side. It was sticky and the ball was not going through.

It was tough for me because I have not been playing for a while. I was not fit to bowl against batsmen who were intent on scoring quickly.

“It’s a new surface and with time and more preparation, it will become better for the batsmen as well the bowlers who would want to bowl faster and to unsettle the batsmen. I struggled but did enjoy the experience” added the Jamaican-born Englishman who played county cricket for Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire and finished his First Class career with 1,054 wickets in 304 matches.