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From Euston Arch to Birmingham Central Library: Buildings lost to ‘modern’ architecture

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From Euston Arch and the Coal Exchange to Birmingham Central Library and Sunderland Town Hall, some of the most stunning buildings of the Victorian era were torn down after the Second World War. 

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As recently highlighted in a recent thread on the hugely popular ‘Cultural Tutor’ Twitter account, many were demolished for no good reason, amid a craze for ‘modern’ architecture, including the notorious Brutalist style.

Although for others, such as Newcastle Town Hall or Manchester’s Assize Courts, destruction was a preferred option because German bomb damage and decades of disrepair had left them in a sorry state. 

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Below, MailOnline delves into the some of the once-treasured buildings that have been replaced by largely concrete structures.  

Euston Arch and Great Hall 

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Euston Arch, the original entrance to Euston station in Central London, had stood since 1837.

Officially known as the Doric Arch, it was demolished in 1962 – along with Euston’s original Great Hall – so that the station could be redeveloped.

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The move – which was insisted on by Conservative transport minister Ernest Marples – was made despite fierce protests from ordinary Londoners and campaigners from the Victorian Society. 

An idea to dismantle it and re-build it after Euston’s redevelopment was dismissed as being too costly and time consuming. 

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Writer, poet and broadcaster Sir John Betjeman was among the famous Britons who had wanted the arch to stay. 

After the Second World War, dozens of Victorian and Georgian buildings were demolished in the capital. The buildings that were pulled down included the famous Euston Arch, which had stood since 1837 and had been the original entrance to Euston station. Above: The Arch in 1954, and the site today 

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Euston’s original Great Hall was demolished in 1962 so that the station could be redeveloped. With its staircases leading down on to a grand concourse, it had formed the template for other imposing station ticket halls – as evidenced by New York’s Grand Central Station

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A group of students even climbed scaffolding around the arch as demolition of the 4,500-ton structure was due to take place and unfurled a banner pleading for it to be saved.

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Its architect, Philip Hardwick, built it at a cost of £35,000 (£2.5million in today’s money) after being inspired by classical buildings in Rome.

However, the arch had not been popular in all quarters. Since its construction, some had denounced it as an eyesore.  

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The Daily Mail's report in 1961 that the Euston Arch was to be demolished

The Daily Mail’s report in 1961 that the Euston Arch was to be demolished 

Euston station itself, which opened on July 20, 1837, a year before the arch was finished, was the terminus of the London and Birmingham Railway constructed by Robert Stephenson.

Around the same time that the Arch was pulled down, the station’s Great Hall was targeted too.

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With its staircases leading down on to a grand concourse, it had formed the template for other imposing station ticket halls – as evidenced by New York’s Grand Central Station.

Coal Exchange

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London’s Coal Exchange, near the Old Billingsgate Market, had existed in three separate buildings since 1770.

The first structure was torn down in the early 19th Century, before its replacement made way for a third headquarters that opened in 1849. 

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The building was one of the first to be largely built with a cast iron frame and was described by one academic as the ‘prime city monument of the early Victorian period.’ 

However, it was demolished in 1962 so that the nearby Lower Thames Street could be widened. 

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Other buildings that were victims of voracious post-war planners included the London Coal Exchange

It was demolished to allow for the widening of Lower Thames Street

Other buildings that were victims of voracious post-war planners included the London Coal Exchange (seen left in 1911) in Thames Street. It was demolished to allow for the widening of Lower Thames Street (shown right)

Birmingham Central Library

The original Birmingham Central Library opened in 1865 but stood for just 14 years before a major fire destroyed much of the structure and its stock. 

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A new library was built on the same site in a renaissance style and opened in June 1882. 

However, despite its striking interior, Birmingham’s authorities had decided that it was too small by the late 1930s. 

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But because of the Second World War, it was not until the 1960s that its redevelopment was agreed. 

The original Birmingham Central Library opened in 1865 but stood for just 14 years before a major fire destroyed much of the structure and its stock. A new library (above) was built on the same site in a renaissance style and opened in June 1882

The original Birmingham Central Library opened in 1865 but stood for just 14 years before a major fire destroyed much of the structure and its stock. A new library (above) was built on the same site in a renaissance style and opened in June 1882

However, despite its striking interior, Birmingham's authorities had decided that it was too small by the late 1930s

However, despite its striking interior, Birmingham’s authorities had decided that it was too small by the late 1930s

The 19th Century library was demolished in 1974 and replaced with a structure built in the then popular Brutalist style (above). It was criticised for its appearance, with King Charles saying in his 1989 book A Vision of Britain that it resembled a 'place where books are incinerated, not kept'. The library closed in 2013 and was demolished three years later

The 19th Century library was demolished in 1974 and replaced with a structure built in the then popular Brutalist style (above). It was criticised for its appearance, with King Charles saying in his 1989 book A Vision of Britain that it resembled a ‘place where books are incinerated, not kept’. The library closed in 2013 and was demolished three years later

The library was finally demolished in 1974 to make way for a new version, which was an emblem of the then popular Brutalist style. 

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The structure was the largest non-national lending library in Europe but was criticised for its appearance, with King Charles saying in his 1989 book A Vision of Britain that it resembled a ‘place where books are incinerated, not kept.’ 

The library’s fate was sealed in the late 1990s when the site that it stood on was sold to developers. 

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A nearby site for a new building was chosen in 2007, leading to the construction of the Library of Birmingham, which opened in September 2013. 

The old Central Library closed in June 2013, before the structure was demolished in 2016.  

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A nearby site for a new building was chosen in 2007, leading to the construction of the Library of Birmingham (above), which opened in September 2013. The old Central Library closed in June 2013, before the structure was demolished in 2016

A nearby site for a new building was chosen in 2007, leading to the construction of the Library of Birmingham (above), which opened in September 2013. The old Central Library closed in June 2013, before the structure was demolished in 2016

Sunderland Town Hall

Sunderland’s magnificent old town hall opened in 1890, after being designed by Ipswich architect Brightwen Binyon.

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Its most eye-catching exterior feature was its beautiful clocktower, whilst inside it boasted a magnificent staircase. 

However, council officials decided that the structure had become unfit for purpose by the 1960s. 

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Sunderland's magnificent old town hall opened in 1890, after being designed by Ipswich architect Brightwen Binyon

Sunderland’s magnificent old town hall opened in 1890, after being designed by Ipswich architect Brightwen Binyon

The Sunderland Civic Centre, its hexagonal red brick replacement, was opened at a site less than half a mile away in 1970. 

Whilst there were calls from residents to keep the original town hall, planning permission was granted to demolish it and replace it with a hotel.

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The building was torn down in 1970 and then it was not replaced for years because the hotel developers could not find an operator to run the site. 

Plans for another hotel fell through in 1974, causing local anger. 

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Council officials decided that the structure had become unfit for purpose by the 1960s. The Sunderland Civic Centre, its hexagonal red brick replacement, was opened in 1970

Council officials decided that the structure had become unfit for purpose by the 1960s. The Sunderland Civic Centre, its hexagonal red brick replacement, was opened in 1970

The Civic Centre was itself demolished last year and replaced by another town hall just over a mile away

The Civic Centre was itself demolished last year and replaced by another town hall just over a mile away

A new building was eventually built on the site. Today it houses Virgin Money and the Post Office.

Meanwhile the Civic Centre was itself demolished last year and replaced by another town hall just over a mile away.

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Known as City Hall, the structure was built because of the estimated £5million costs to furbish the old Civic Centre.  

Known as City Hall, the structure was built because of the estimated £5million costs to furbish the old Civic Centre

Known as City Hall, the structure was built because of the estimated £5million costs to furbish the old Civic Centre

Newcastle Town Hall

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Newcastle Town Hall opened in 1863 in the Italian neoclassical style. 

However, the structure had to be vacated in the early 1960s because it had not been properly maintained. 

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After its tower had already been pulled down in the 1930s, the rest of the structure was demolished in 1973.

The council moved to the Newcastle Civic Centre, which was opened by King Olav V of Norway in November 1968. 

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Newcastle Town Hall (left) opened in 1863 in the Italian neoclassical style. However, the structure had to be vacated in the early 1960s because it had not been properly maintained

Newcastle Town Hall (left) opened in 1863 in the Italian neoclassical style. However, the structure had to be vacated in the early 1960s because it had not been properly maintained

The council moved to the Newcastle Civic Centre, which was opened by King Olav V of Norway in November 1968

The council moved to the Newcastle Civic Centre, which was opened by King Olav V of Norway in November 1968

Manchester Assize Courts

When they were was built in 1864, the Assize Courts in Manchester was the tallest building in Manchester – a title it held for more than a decade.  

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The 270-foot high structure was built adjoining Manchester’s Strangeway’s Prison.

The building displayed ornate sculptures that depicted famous lawgivers from history. 

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When it was built in 1864, the Assize Courts in Manchester was the tallest building in Manchester - a title it held for more than a decade

When it was built in 1864, the Assize Courts in Manchester was the tallest building in Manchester – a title it held for more than a decade

Whilst other bomb-damaged buildings in the city were repaired, the Assize Courts were torn down in 1957 - a year after the assize court system had been abolished. The new Crown Court building opened in the city in the early 1960s. The structure was extended in the brutalist style in the mid-1980s

Whilst other bomb-damaged buildings in the city were repaired, the Assize Courts were torn down in 1957 – a year after the assize court system had been abolished. The new Crown Court building opened in the city in the early 1960s. The structure was extended in the brutalist style in the mid-1980s

However, the structure was severely damaged in the Manchester Blitz in 1940 and 1941. 

Whilst other bomb-damaged buildings in the city were repaired, the Assize Courts were torn down in 1957 – a year after the assize court system had been abolished. 

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The new Crown Court building opened in the city in the early 1960s. The structure was extended in the brutalist style in the mid-1980s. 

Lewisham Town Hall

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The original Town Hall in the south-east London borough of Lewisham was opened in 1875. 

The grand Victorian structure, built in a Gothic Revival style, was among the most imposing buildings in the area. 

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But after being damaged by German bombs in the Second World War, the structure was demolished in 1968.

The original Town Hall in the south-east London borough of Lewisham was opened in 1875. The grand Victorian structure, built in a Gothic Revival style, was among the most imposing buildings in the area

The original Town Hall in the south-east London borough of Lewisham was opened in 1875. The grand Victorian structure, built in a Gothic Revival style, was among the most imposing buildings in the area

But after being damaged by German bombs in the Second World War, the structure was demolished in 1968. The Civic Suite was erected in its place and opened by the Queen Mother in 1971

But after being damaged by German bombs in the Second World War, the structure was demolished in 1968. The Civic Suite was erected in its place and opened by the Queen Mother in 1971

That was despite a campaign launched by 13-year-old boy William Norton to save the structure. 

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The Civic Suite was erected in its place and opened by the Queen Mother in 1971.

Birkbeck Bank 

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The old Birkbeck Bank, which stood near Chancery Lane tube station in London, opened in 1902. 

It had been built with then new steel frame construction methods that are now common in modern architecture. 

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It had a beautiful entrance hall that was bigger than the one inside the Bank of England. 

Birkbeck Bank, near Chancery Lane tube station, opened in 1902 and had a bigger hall than the Bank of England. Its hall was lined with Doulton terracotta and decorated with tiles and stained glass. The Victorian Society unsuccessfully campaigned to save it in 1964 when it was set to be demolished. The current office building on the site is seen above right

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The hall was lined with Doulton terracotta and decorated with tiles and stained glass. 

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However, the structure was demolished in 1964 for no obvious reason, despite a campaign by the Victorian Society and others to save it.   

The structure on the same site today is a nondescript office building.   

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Imperial Institute 

The building that housed the Imperial Institute, on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, opened in 1893.

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The building that housed the Imperial Institute, on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, opened in 1893. But the decision was made in the 1960s to partially demolish the structure to allow for the expansion of Imperial College

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The Daily Mail's 1956 report on the potential demolition of the Imperial Institute

The Daily Mail’s 1956 report on the potential demolition of the Imperial Institute 

Designed by architect T.E. Collcut, it housed a library, conference rooms and exhibition galleries. 

The building boasted three towers that rose above their surroundings.

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But the decision was made in the 1960s to partially demolish the structure to allow for the expansion of Imperial College.

The demolition came despite the fact that the building was not in poor condition and there was significant opposition from the public and cultural institutions. 

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The only part of the building that remained was the central Queen’s Tower, which still stands today. 

The metal and glass rectangular structure that now occupies most of the site forms the heart of Imperial College. 

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Buildings that were SAVED

Manchester Town Hall

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Manchester Town Hall, which opened in 1877, remains one of the northern city’s most iconic landmarks. 

Grade II-listed, It is regarded as one of the greatest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in Britain.

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Manchester Town Hall (pictured in around 1890), which opened in 1877, remains one of the northern city's most iconic landmarks

Manchester Town Hall (pictured in around 1890), which opened in 1877, remains one of the northern city’s most iconic landmarks

Its 280-ft clock tower boasts a 173-step staircase and also hosts 24 bells, with the largest weighing more than eight tonnes. 

However, after the Second World War there were proposals to demolish the Town Hall and replace it with a modern structure. 

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It was regarded as sooty and dirty and ‘not fit for purpose’.   

Fortunately, the plan never made it beyond the drawing board.  

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Grade II-listed, It is regarded as one of the greatest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in Britain

Grade II-listed, It is regarded as one of the greatest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in Britain

St Pancras Station

St Pancras station in central London is now regarded as a masterpiece of 19th century architecture. 

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The red brick structure was originally built in the 1860s to connect London to the Midlands.

It fell into disrepair after being damaged by bombs during the Second World War. 

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Changes to rail routes then meant it was not being used enough to justify keeping it running.

St Pancras station in central London is now regarded as a masterpiece of 19th century architecture. The red brick structure was originally built in the 1860s to connect London to the Midlands. Above: The Midland Hotel and the station are seen in the late 19th Century

St Pancras station in central London is now regarded as a masterpiece of 19th century architecture. The red brick structure was originally built in the 1860s to connect London to the Midlands. Above: The Midland Hotel and the station are seen in the late 19th Century 

By the 1960s, plans were afoot to tear it down. It took a campaign by Poet Laureate John Betjeman to save it from demolition.

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In 1967, it was given Grade-I listed status, just days before the wrecking balls were set to move in. 

However, the building continued to decline after being saved, with its hotel buildings ending up abandoned and its rail lines infrequently used. 

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It took nearly 13 years and around £800million to renovate the station, with the redevelopment opening in 2007. 

Rather than a dirty, sooty exterior, the building was cleaned to reveal its stunning red-brick detail. And the old Midland Hotel was turned into the exclusive St Pancras Renaissance, which opened in 2011. 

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To honour his vital role in saving the building, a statue of Betjeman was installed in the station when it was redeveloped.  

It took nearly 13 years and around £800million to renovate the station, with the redevelopment opening in 2007. Above: The restored station

It took nearly 13 years and around £800million to renovate the station, with the redevelopment opening in 2007. Above: The restored station

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International

Athens residents choking in clouds of Sahara dust amid unseasonably warm weather

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Athenians are choking in clouds of thick dust blown in from the Sahara along with unseasonably warm weather, weather forecasters and doctors warned on Thursday.

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The haze covering the Greek capital comes from southerly winds that blow dust from North Africa across the eastern Mediterranean from March to April, the head of the Greek meteorological service Theodoros Kolydas said on X, formerly Twitter.

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“A typical sandstorm with a range of 200 kilometres (about 120 miles) carries 20 to 30 million tonnes of dust and sometimes as much as 100 million,” he wrote.

The city regularly experiences such sandstorms but the current one is accompanied by unusually high spring temperatures, heightening the choking effect.

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Wednesday saw the highest March temperature in central Athens since 2009 — 25.3 degrees Celsius (77.5 Fahrenheit).

Further south on the island of Crete, the temperature reached 32 Celsius.

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The Greek Pulmonologists’ Union advised asthma sufferers and other vulnerable people to avoid “unnecessary movements and outdoor sports during the times of highest dust concentration”.

It warned that the dust can be mixed with pollen, bacteria and fungi, “a highly toxic mixture that is dangerous for the human body, particularly the respiratory system”.

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Scientists say climate change caused by human burning of fossil fuels is raising the risk of extreme weather events, including heatwaves and droughts.

The weather service said the dust clouds were expected to dissipate from Friday.

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(AFP)

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International

I’m a travel writer – and here’s why during your Easter getaway flight it’s OK to recline your seat and ask to swap seats (and why no, you’re NOT going to get upgraded because you ironed your shirt)

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When did air travel become such a brain-melting minefield?

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These days, even the simple act of flying from A to B leaves many travellers almost paralysed with paranoia, their heads filled with a fog of etiquette anxieties, from whether they can ask someone to swap seats to whether they should or shouldn’t recline their seats and whether they should say something to the parent of the screaming baby.

I’m the MailOnline Travel Editor, and I’m here to remind you that to begin with, holidays are supposed to be fun – and to offer some simple guidance on the do’s and don’ts on your flight.

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And why no, I’m afraid you’re not going to get upgraded because you’ve ironed your shirt.

What’s your pet hate on planes? Vote in the poll at the bottom…

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SEAT SWAPPING

These days, even the simple act of flying from A to B leaves many travellers almost paralysed with paranoia, their heads filled with a fog of etiquette anxieties

These days, even the simple act of flying from A to B leaves many travellers almost paralysed with paranoia, their heads filled with a fog of etiquette anxieties

As with most social interactions in life, being polite and firm is the key.

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It’s perfectly fine to ask someone to swap seats if you’ve been split up from your nearest and dearest – just don’t expect your request to be fulfilled.

You’ve paid for your seat and, in all likelihood, picked out this particular berth in which to enjoy some airborne wine and pretzels. No passenger has the right to remove you from it

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Nuts and bolts – smile, and be calm and unconfrontational. Gently explain your reasons for wanting to swap, give the other person room to say no – and make sure that you’re not brazenly expecting your fellow flyer to downgrade.

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The move being negotiated should be to an equivalent seat, or better. Not, for instance, from a window to an aisle seat or, heaven forbid, from business class to economy or even premium economy.

It’s also acceptable to decline a seat-swapping request.

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You’ve paid for your seat and, in all likelihood, picked out this particular berth in which to enjoy some airborne wine and pretzels. No passenger has the right to remove you from it.

How to say no? The best ploy is to explain politely and with a smile that you’ve paid for your seat and don’t want to move.

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If the requester looks particularly desperate you could offer to talk to the cabin crew on their behalf to see if they can offer a solution.

RECLINING

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Economy-class seats can cause frustrating issues for the person behind when in recline mode – it can make it hard for them to exit, eat their meals and watch the entertainment screen.

But that doesn’t mean reclining is a no-no.

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The recline function is there to be used. The solution? Simply turn around and ask the person behind if they mind you reclining.

And assume that it won’t go down well during meal service.

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NOISY BABIES AND CHILDREN – OFFER TO HELP

'Here's a thought,' says Ted, 'instead of allowing yourself to become filled with rage that other humans have had the audacity to breed, try offering some help to the parent struggling to keep the decibel levels down'

‘Here’s a thought,’ says Ted, ‘instead of allowing yourself to become filled with rage that other humans have had the audacity to breed, try offering some help to the parent struggling to keep the decibel levels down’

Guess what? You won’t be the only one on the plane. So don’t expect the atmosphere to be like a Buddhist temple. Families will be joining you and that means mini-humans will be expressing themselves in a way that may rankle.

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They tend not to favour whispering.

Having said that, yes, screaming babies and children can be irritating.

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But here’s a thought – instead of allowing yourself to become filled with rage that other humans have had the audacity to breed, try offering some help to the parent struggling to keep the decibel levels down. Distract their children. Offer some sympathy.

You’ll feel better, they’ll feel less embarrassed – and believe me, they are embarrassed – and you might end up making a friend or two.

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UPGRADES

'You watched a TikTok video about booking the back row and how that means you're at the front of the queue to leap forward into first class if there's a space? You've been duped,' says Ted

‘You watched a TikTok video about booking the back row and how that means you’re at the front of the queue to leap forward into first class if there’s a space? You’ve been duped,’ says Ted

Those hopes for an upgrade? Let them float away on the jetstream.

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Even if you wear a suit, even if you give the flight attendant a big smile, you’re flying economy.

Suck it up and enjoy the pretzels.

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Wait, you watched a TikTok video about booking the back row and how that means you’re at the front of the queue to leap forward into first class if there’s a space?

You’ve been duped.

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Upgrades are not sweets in a jar for cabin crew to dish out with abandon. Giving one away without authority can result in disciplinary action.

The best way to snare an upgrade is to earn it, to rack up tier status points with an airline. That’s because business and first-class seats are given away as treats in return for loyalty.

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Does all this mean dressing smartly and being nice is a waste of time for those hoping to be given a ride at the pointy end?

Not quite.

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As flight attendant Jay Robert said: ‘When I worked as ground staff for a major US airline, and I was given the authority to provide a free upgrade, and I had no employees or elite passengers waiting, my pick would be elderly passengers, someone dressed nicely, or if I saw someone being a kind human in the gate area.’

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Ukraine downs more than 25 drones in latest overnight Russian strikes

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Ukraine downed 26 drones overnight as Russia launched its latest salvo of aerial attacks, a senior Ukrainian military official said on Thursday.

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“On the night of March 28, 2024, the enemy launched a missile air strike against Ukraine using three Kh-22 cruise missiles and an Kh-31P anti-radar missile (from the Black Sea), an S-300 anti-aircraft guided missile (Donetsk) and 28 attack UAVs of the ‘Shahed-136/131’ type”, Mykola Oleshchuk, the head of Ukraine’s air force, wrote on Telegram.

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“Twenty-six attack UAVs of the ‘Shahed-136/131’ type were destroyed within Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions”, he said, without providing details on the missile strikes.

Russia regularly launches air attacks on Ukraine overnight and has escalated the strikes over the past few weeks, targeting key infrastructure, including power stations, in retaliation for fatal bombardments of Russia’s border regions.

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FRANCE 24’s Gulliver Cragg reports from Kyiv



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On Wednesday Russian strikes killed three people in eastern and southern Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Ukraine’s allies to speed up deliveries of warplanes and air defence systems to bolster Kyiv’s air defences.

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 (AFP)

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International

You’re never too old to get an STI! Experts call for over-50s to be taught ‘safe sex’ after rates of gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis in retirement villages soar

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Over-50s should be taught safe sex to combat soaring STIs with rates doubling in the last decade, research suggests.

Rising divorce rates, the emergence of Viagra, dating apps and the growth of retirement villages have combined to mean ‘sexual risk taking is now common among older adults’.

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Rates of disease including gonorrhoea and syphilis have surged by almost a fifth in just four years among UK ‘baby boomers’.

Researchers found that, in England, 31,902 new STIs were recorded in the over 45s in 2015, which rose to 37,692 in 2019 - an increase of 18 per cent

Researchers found that, in England, 31,902 new STIs were recorded in the over 45s in 2015, which rose to 37,692 in 2019 – an increase of 18 per cent

Experts said this is likely an underestimate with embarrassment and lack of access to sexual health services meaning many will not seek help.

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Sex must become ‘normalised’ and part of routine healthcare for older generations, they say, rather than simply focusing on the young.

Professor Justyna Kowalska, of the Medical University of Warsaw, said: ‘People do not become asexual with age.

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‘In fact, with preventive medicine and improved lifestyles people are enjoying a healthy life and sex life for longer.

‘Older people often find greater satisfaction in their sex lives due to experience and known expectations.

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‘We need more role models like Samantha Jones in the TV show Sex and the City to challenge stereotypes around older sexuality.’

In England, 37,692 new STIs were recorded in the over 45s in 2019 compared to 31,902 in 2015 – an increase of 18 per cent.

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The study calls for better sex education in Baby Boomers as rates of diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis in older people are skyrocketing

The study calls for better sex education in Baby Boomers as rates of diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis in older people are skyrocketing

Meanwhile, half of men and almost a third of women aged 70 and over reported being sexually active, in a survey of sexual health in older adults in England.

Similarly, in a Swedish study, 46 per cent of individuals aged 60 years and older reported being sexually active, one in 10 aged 90 and above.

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But for many, a lack of sex education at school, combined with the no risk of unwanted pregnancies, can heighten risky behaviour.

Presenting her findings at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona, Professor Kowalska suggested sex education programmes should be tailored to the over 50s, ensuring any facilities are located within existing community settings.

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She added: ‘Sexual health campaigns are focused on young people and overlook the needs and experiences of those aged 50 and older.

‘Health promotion messages give the impression that condoms and concerns about STIs only apply to young people.

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‘But the dangers of undiagnosed and untreated STIs such as HPV-related cancers and onwards transmission are very real, particularly in this age group who are more likely to have underlying conditions such as heart disease and stroke.’

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International

Blinken and Macron to discuss Ukraine support and Gaza war in Paris talks

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will discuss support for Ukraine during talks in Paris next week with French President Emmanuel Macron, the State Department announced Wednesday.

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France is among the major military suppliers to Ukraine, which is facing an onslaught of Russian attacks.

President Joe Biden‘s request for billions of dollars in new US military aid to Kyiv is held up in the House of Representatives, led by the rival Republican Party.

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“Secretary Blinken will meet with French President Macron to discuss support for Ukraine, efforts to prevent escalation of the conflict in Gaza and a number of other important issues,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

France has advocated for a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, whereas the United States, Israel’s main ally, recently let pass a UN Security Council resolution that calls for a ceasefire during the month of Ramadan.

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It will be the first visit in nearly two years to France by Blinken, a fluent French speaker who grew up partly in Paris. Macron paid a state visit to Washington in December 2022.

After Paris, Blinken will head to Brussels for talks of NATO foreign ministers ahead of the alliance’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington in July.

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Blinken will also hold a three-way meeting in Brussels with EU leaders and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who has been seeking to branch out from his country’s historic alliance with Russia.

Blinken and the European Union will address “support for Armenia‘s economic resilience as it works to diversify its trade partnerships and to address humanitarian needs,” Miller said.

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Armenia was angered last year by Russia’s failure to prevent Azerbaijan from retaking the Nagorno-Karabakh region from ethnic Armenian rebels.

(AFP)

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Deadly Israeli strikes hit Gaza as fierce fighting takes place in north, south

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Gaza’s health ministry collects data from the enclave’s hospitals and the Palestinian Red Crescent.

The health ministry does not report how Palestinians were killed, whether from Israeli airstrikes and artillery barrages or errant Palestinian rocket fire. It describes all casualties as victims of “Israeli aggression”.

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The ministry also does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. 

Throughout four wars and numerous skirmishes between Israel and Hamas, UN agencies have cited the Hamas-run health ministry’s death tolls in regular reports. The International Committee of the Red Cross and Palestinian Red Crescent also use the numbers.

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In the aftermath of war, the UN humanitarian office has published final death tolls based on its own research into medical records. The UN’s counts have largely been consistent with the Gaza health ministry’s, with small discrepancies. 

For more on the Gaza health ministry’s tolls, click here.

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(FRANCE 24 with AP) 

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Aussie NBA great Andrew Bogut makes shocking claim about what AFL stars get up to in pubs and clubs: ‘If you’re surprised, you believe Santa Claus is real’

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  • Andrew Bogut was typically blunt on Channel Nine’s Today program
  • Claimed AFL stars dabbling in illegal drugs is nothing new
  • Comes as the AFL has been rocked by illicit drugs scandal
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Australian basketball great Andrew Bogut has claimed that plenty of AFL stars dabble in illegal drugs in Melbourne pubs and nightclubs – and that nobody should be shocked by allegations that the league has covered up positive results.

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It follows the code being rocked on Tuesday after a whistleblowing doctor once employed by the Melbourne Demons revealed allegations of secret illicit drugs tests which saw footy stars able to avoid detection on game days.

Others were allegedly told to fake injuries to avoid testing from World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) representatives.

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Federal MP Andrew Wilkie used his parliamentary privilege to drop the bombshell, with the AFL’s controversial three-strike policy for illicit drugs now firmly in the spotlight.

Speaking on Channel Nine’s Today program on Thursday morning, Bogut was typically blunt when quizzed about the supposed anti-social habits of AFL stars.

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Australian basketball great Andrew Bogut has made the shocking claim that plenty of AFL stars dabble in illegal drugs in Melbourne pubs and nightclubs

Australian basketball great Andrew Bogut has made the shocking claim that plenty of AFL stars dabble in illegal drugs in Melbourne pubs and nightclubs

Bogut's claim follows the AFL being rocked when a whistleblowing doctor revealed allegations of secret illicit drugs tests that enabled footy stars to avoid detection on game days

Bogut’s claim follows the AFL being rocked when a whistleblowing doctor revealed allegations of secret illicit drugs tests that enabled footy stars to avoid detection on game days

The AFL declared it's 'unapologetic' about steps taken to ensure players with illicit substances in their system do not take part in matches (pictured, CEO Andrew Dillon)

The AFL declared it’s ‘unapologetic’ about steps taken to ensure players with illicit substances in their system do not take part in matches (pictured, CEO Andrew Dillon)

Federal MP Andrew Wilkie used his parliamentary privilege to drop the illicit drugs in AFL bombshell (stock image)

Federal MP Andrew Wilkie used his parliamentary privilege to drop the illicit drugs in AFL bombshell (stock image) 

‘If you are surprised [by these revelations] you’d be shocked that Santa Claus isn’t real,’ the NBA championship winner with Golden State Warriors said. 

‘I mean, you know, anyone that’s gone out, anyone that’s gone out in Melbourne and visited nightclubs has seen for themselves what goes on.

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‘Put two and two together.’

Bogut said he has no time for performance-enhancing drug cheats in professional sport and believes those caught should be banned for life.

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He added modern day players indulging in recreational drugs such as cocaine ‘happens at some places’, where if you look hard enough, you can ‘see everything you want to see.’

The father of two wasn’t finished, pointing to Federal Government funding the AFL receives – and that as a result, the ‘code doesn’t want star players getting pinged for drug tests’.

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Bogut’s strong views come as the AFL declared it is ‘unapologetic’ about steps taken to ensure players with illicit substances in their system do not take part in matches.

It evoked a furious reaction from respected AFL identities such as former Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse, Port Adelaide chairman David Koch and Melbourne Demons great Garry Lyon.

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