Latest news with #Sure
BBC News
15-07-2025
- BBC News
Yellow phone boxes removal from St Peter Port gets mixed reaction
The planned removal of two of Guernsey's yellow phone boxes has sparked debate among company Sure said the structures at the bus terminus in St Peter Port town centre were "beyond repair" and had seen "very little use in recent years", adding their removal would "better reflect how people communicate today".Reflecting on the removal, some islanders said the brightly coloured phone boxes were part of the island's said they thought it was time for the boxes to go and their removal was "inevitable". Islander Brandon Taylor said the saved funding could be used to benefit the company's network instead."I think it's actually beneficial because Sure will get to reuse that amount of resources elsewhere," he said."To keep spending money on boxes that I'm sure don't even pull an actual revenue, there's no need for them really." Niall, who relocated to the island, said he liked that the phone boxes in Guernsey were yellow in comparison to the traditional red in the UK."I think it's sad because it's what makes it special here since I moved here, the yellow colour of it," he Jenkins said the removal of the phone boxes was "inevitable".He said: "They're in pretty poor shape - I come to terminus quite often just to get the bus and I walk past them and they're just peeling and nothing's been done with them really."A lot of people have phones now and they're not really in use."Whilst it's a shame because they're quite unique and I've heard quite a few visitors like to get photos with them, I think it's about time because nothing's really been done with them." 'They're traditional' Pam Gidney said the phone boxes could be turned into "something to make people smile".She said: "I think it's a shame to take them down, and they're traditional... what's left of our history?"It would be like taking all of the post boxes away, it's just something that people look and say 'oh look, there's a yellow phone box'."It's only a little thing, but I think it would make a difference for visitors and I think it's good for us to remember." Alistair Beak, group chief executive of Sure, said he appreciated the "community's fondness for these iconic structures".He said: "While we appreciate the heritage value they hold, we must also balance this with practical considerations around maintenance and usage."We are living increasingly digital lives, and Sure is focusing investment on infrastructure and services that better reflect how people communicate today."
Los Angeles Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Lifting the Veil on Las Vegas' ‘New Wave' Weddings
For almost a century, 'Fabulous Las Vegas' has been a hotspot for nuptials, thanks to its easy-going marriage license rules, prime location and a dizzying array of ceremonies, from drive-through elopements to all-out spectacles, complete with showgirls, sequins and (why not?) the occasional adorned elephant. Yet, in recent years, it seemed the altar lights had dimmed in the Entertainment Capital of the World's subsidiary, 'Wedding Capital of the World.' Fewer couples were rolling the dice on Vegas vows, hinting that the honeymoon period might finally be over. But post-pandemic, Vegas is back in its bridal best. And she's never looked better. In 2024, Clark County issued a buoyant 76,779 marriage licenses, with wedding tourism generating an estimated $2.5 billion in economic impact. Among the 18,000 people employed in the city's matrimony industry are a new wave of style-savvy vendors, who are reshuffling the pack by blending retro style with modern sensibilities. Think pin-up parlors using vegan beauty products, vintage-inspired cakes worthy of a social post on the grid and ceremonies so kitsch they're actually chic – with Elvis still very much in the building. In short, it's once again fashionable to say 'I do' in Sin City. Leading the charge in Vegas' love-fueled renaissance are two fingers-on-the-pulse chapels: Sure Thing and its equally glamorous younger sister, Sure Thing Too. Tucked into a former strip mall on Fremont Street – sandwiched on either side of a tattoo parlor and bathed in the warm glow of vintage motel signs – the love shacks have been lighting up social media like a Vegas slot machine on a winning streak. Step through the doors and it's easy to see why. The interiors are a glorious whirlwind of nostalgic powder pink and baby blue drapes, flickering sweetheart-shaped neon and cherubs suspended overhead. This is Vegas kitsch, made fresh for a new generation. The Instagenic settings have chimed particularly well online, says co-owner Amy Hybarger, who along with her partner Victoria Hogan, has a background in photography. 'I'd say at least half of our bookings find us on social media,' Hybarger says. And it's not just the aesthetics that are luring lovebirds. According to Hybarger, affordability is another major draw. 'Although many of our couples really splurge on details for their day, it's also easy to be super chic in Vegas and not break the bank,' she adds. The chapels lay on themed experiences with all the showmanship of a circus ringmaster twirling a gilded baton. At Sure Thing and Sure Thing Too, lovers can strike a pose in the creaking leather seats of a classic car, march down the aisle to the dulcet tones of an antique Wurlitzer electronic organ and exchange vows beneath the glittering gaze of a female Elvis or a burlesque showgirl. Bonus points, of course, if their pampered pooch is trotting down the aisle as a ring bearer in a rhinestone collar. And there's even a velvet-curtained photo booth on hand for a strip of kiss-me-quick souvenirs. One couple who decided to renew their vows at the Sure Thing chapel are Margaret and Corey Bienert: The amorous duo is the creative force behind A Pretty Cool Hotel Tour, a viral account showcasing throwback hotels in the U.S. that has amassed a staggering 1.4 million followers on TikTok. Renewing their vows 13 years after marrying young out of a sense of 'duty or even obligation' to their deeply religious backgrounds, Margaret said Vegas offered a moment of true reverence. 'We're still very much in love, but we're different people now and don't hold the same beliefs about marriage.' Now in their thirties, their union these days feels more like a grand adventure. 'Vegas is the perfect place to celebrate that. It's very 'come as you are,' no questions asked. And we're serious about being a little bit ridiculous, dramatic and hopelessly romantic,' she said, recalling their happily-ever-after moment, complete with a photo op in front of a black velvet portrait of 'The King of Rock and Roll' himself. There's really nothing new about over-the-top wedding cakes in Vegas – sugar-sprinkled fantasies have been served here for decades. Back in 1967, Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu sliced into a towering six-tier creation, draped in a cloak of Kirsch-flavored fondant, at their Aladdin Hotel celebration, following a speedy ceremony that took all of eight minutes. Today, one can only imagine The King tipping his lacquered quiff in approval at Winston Marie Cakes, a mid-century-themed bakery where the confections flirt shamelessly with glitter-dipped cherries, coquettish satin bows and endless swirls of decadent buttercream. 'Interest in vintage wedding cakes has definitely picked up over the past year,' said owner Monique Perez. 'Right now, I'm averaging about 40 wedding cakes a month, ranging from a small 'elopement' cake to a tiered showstopper.' At the more elaborate end of the scale, a bespoke cake can take up to 24 hours to create. 'My signature look is very maximalist and detail-heavy,' she said, adding that cherubs, pearl sprinkles and vintage toppers all make frequent appearances. A quick detour across town leads to Dafna Beauty parlor, a hair-and-makeup emporium for vintage vixens. Since opening its doors in 2023, the boutique has been conjuring up bridal looks that would have made Elizabeth Taylor raise an impeccably arched brow in approval. Inside the all-pink-everything salon is a dream team of stylists, armed with flicks of cat-eye liner, tubes of siren-red lipstick and enough hairspray to sculpt a beehive that could survive a thunderstorm. 'Old Hollywood wavy hair is always a go-to, but I feel like we've been doing more 1960s laid back half updos lately too,' said salon founder and beauty influencer Dafna Bar-el. Baby blue eyeshadow is also having a moment, particularly among those committing at Sure Thing Too, where the look doubles as a playful nod to the chapel's pastel-hued palette. Bar-el is quick to note that her beauty parlor celebrates vintage aesthetics, not values. All products are vegan, cruelty-free and consciously low on plastic packaging. She adds that being situated in the heart of Downtown, in the shadow of events like 'Viva Las Vegas' – the world's largest rockabilly festival, held each April – helps spread the word. 'We personally attend the event and also host an annual pre-Viva party at our boutique.' Capturing these looks in all their Technicolor glory is a new crew of shutterbugs and videographers. Among them is photographer Cruz Valentin, who swaps digital crispness for deliciously grainy 35mm analog film. She's often spotted at offbeat venues like the Neon Museum Las Vegas, where couples can tie the knot before a glowing chorus of historic signage and have enough room for up to 50 guests. For those craving yet more throwback magic, Valentin also offers instant Polaroids and captures the ceremony on original Kodak Super 8 film – not since your grandparents' road trip to Niagara Falls have these old-school cameras seen so much action. Getting hitched in Sin City has always been a vibe; it's just that now, a new generation is falling head over heels for its unique charms, often via the scroll of a social media feed, said Hybarger. 'Vegas weddings have always been cool! I think the couples getting married now care less about traditional norms and are really leaning into having enjoyable, beautiful experiences.' As newlyweds increasingly trade protocol for personality, Vegas just might be the bellwether for how Americans marry now: in wildly photogenic settings and proudly on their own terms.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Manx Telecom announces 3.5% increase in bills from August
A 3.5% price rise has been announced by Manx telecommunications firm said the increase was "necessary" due to "ongoing, mounting global and national inflationary cost pressures".It said the increase was in line with the average Retail Price Index increase of 3.8% for set to rise from 1 August include fixed-line and mobile phone rentals and charges, and copper broadband and paper billing charges. Rival company Sure is set to introduce a 2.7% rise in its prices on 1 Manx Telecom customers, fixed call charge rates to all destinations are set to go up by 1p or 3.5%, whichever is data and text charges outside of mobile bundles will also rise, and paper billing charges are set to increase by 50p to £ of the company's Low User Choice social inclusion tariff and operator services such at the speaking clock will not increase in firm said it had "made every effort" to keep increases "to a minimum".A spokesman said giving "lengthy notice" of the increases was a requirement of the Telecommunications License, which would give customers time to terminate their contract and switch providers should they so wish. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Channel Islanders paying more for broadband than in 2020
People in the Channel Islands are spending more money on their broadband bills now than they were in 2020.A report from Jersey Statistics found the average monthly spend by customers in Guernsey went up by 16% to £86.55, and in Jersey by just under 8% to £82.17, from 2020 to prices did not keep up with inflation on the islands which went up in by 27.3% and 30% respectively in the same and Jersey's two biggest broadband providers, Sure and JT, both said they "remained committed to supporting customers", and highlighted changing consumer habits as one reason for rising costs. The report highlighted a rise in data usage by customers on both islands, and a drop in average monthly SMS messages and call minutes.A spokesperson for Sure said it wanted its deals to be "cost-effective"."We understand that value matters more than ever, especially as industries across the board face rising costs due to inflation," Mike Fawkner-Corbett, acting chief commercial officer said."We're committed to helping our customers stay connected in the most cost-effective way possible."JT said because of working from home and streaming, broadband services now "play a much bigger role in the way people live"."Consumer usage patterns have evolved significantly," Pip Carpenter, head of commercial markets at JT said."On-island mobile data consumption is up 40% since 2020, and the average user now consumes around 10 GB per month."We regularly review our services to ensure they remain competitive and responsive to our customers' changing needs."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Insurtech company Sure ushers new era in insurance technology
Insurtech company Sure has launched model context protocol (MCP), a new capability that permits AI agents to independently manage insurance policy tasks such as quoting, binding and servicing. MCP integrates AI with insurance operations, granting AI agents direct access to core functions through standardised protocols. The implementation allows AI tools including assistants, chatbots and autonomous agents to connect with the company's insurance infrastructure. These AI agents are now equipped to autonomously perform a range of tasks: generating insurance quotes, executing binding decisions, processing policy amendments, initiating claims and managing customer service interactions without human intervention. It enables instant policy quoting, where AI can provide real-time insurance quotes, and autonomous binding, permitting AI to finalise policy binding within established guidelines. The technology also supports policy management, allowing AI to handle the full policy life cycle, and integrated claims processing, where AI can manage the initiation and updates of claims. The company said that early feedback from beta partners has shown a 95% reduction in the time taken from quote to binding and an 80% decrease in customer service response times, with high customer satisfaction as AI delivers timely and precise insurance solutions continuously. The MCP capability is immediately available to enterprise clients and developer partners across all insurance lines and markets that Sure supports. The company has plans to expand MCP's functionalities to more insurance products and services by 2025. Sure CEO Wayne Slavin said MCP represents the missing link between AI capability and insurance infrastructure. Slavin said: "By integrating MCP capabilities into insurance infrastructure, we are not just improving existing processes – we are fundamentally reimagining how insurance can be delivered. AI agents can now handle the entire insurance life cycle autonomously, from initial quote through binding and ongoing service, creating unprecedented efficiency and accessibility for both consumers and insurance providers globally." "Insurtech company Sure ushers new era in insurance technology " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
