avoid

There are a few places on a plane that are best avoided, and if you’re looking for a few ideas, some experts have shared their top tips for finding a seat that’ll make your trip more comfortable.

Jetting off on holiday is always exciting, especially during the chillier months when the idea of swapping the UK for somewhere warm and sunny is enough to lift anyone’s spirits. However, even if you’re simply heading to a European destination, the journey there isn’t always plain sailing.

We’ve all endured the horror of a dreadful flight before. Whether it’s down to discomfort, fellow passengers’ antics, or something else entirely, it can cast a shadow over your holiday before it’s even started.

So, to help travellers kick off their trips on the right foot, I decided to consult some experts about the worst spot on the aircraft to reserve your seat – and they all had very similar answers.

Nearly all of the specialists I spoke to agreed that the very last row of the aircraft might not be your best bet if you’re after a peaceful journey, reports the Express.

Nicholas Smith, Holidays Digital Director at Thomas Cook, warned that anyone who struggles with turbulence will want to steer clear of this section. He explained: “Seats at the very back are typically less desirable. They are close to the galley and restrooms, service can be slower, food choices may be limited, and it is also the area where movement during turbulence feels strongest.”

He also emphasised the importance of being organised when reserving aircraft seats. This often comes at an extra charge, but if you’re anxious about securing a decent seat, then there’s a good chance it’ll be money well spent.

The expert continued: “Thinking about your priorities in advance also makes a difference – nervous flyers will be more comfortable over the wings, those with a tight connection should choose an aisle near the front, while couples booking a row of three might secure the window and aisle, leaving the middle free for a chance at extra space.”

Izzy Nicholls, a travel expert and founder of road trip blog The Gap Decaders, agreed, saying: “Seats at the back are best avoided. They’re typically noisier because of engine proximity and galley activity, and you’ll be among the last to board and leave the plane.”

Unsurprisingly, the front of the aircraft proved to be the best location for the smoothest experience. Izzy explained: “Travellers who want a calmer journey should book seats at the front of the plane. This area is away from restrooms and heavy foot traffic, so you’ll experience fewer interruptions.

“Choosing an aisle seat here also gives you the freedom to stretch your legs and get up easily without disturbing others. Select these placements to make long flights more comfortable and reduce the effects of motion.”

The rear section of the aircraft isn’t just problematic for comfort – it’s also less ideal when it comes to storage space, particularly if you’re late boarding. Jacob Wedderburn-Day, CEO and Co-Founder of luggage storage firm Stasher said: “Avoid sitting near galleys and toilets, where staff members often store their things in overhead bins, leaving less space for passenger baggage.

“The last few rows are a concern because if you board late, the bins above you may be filled, which means you may have to store your luggage several rows away. Also, stay away from seats that are located behind bulkheads, as these spaces often have limited storage.”

Travel expert Andrea Platania from Transfeero also warned passengers to avoid the back row when flying, explaining: “The very last row is typically the least desirable: limited recline, proximity to bathrooms, and more cabin noise. Middle seats anywhere are usually least popular unless you’re traveling in a group.”

However, for those seeking maximum legroom, there are two areas offering the most space. Andrea said: “Exit-row and bulkhead seats offer more space, but they come with trade-offs: fixed armrests, limited recline, or restrictions for passengers traveling with children.”

And for travellers prone to airsickness during turbulence, one specific location is recommended. The expert added: “Sit over the wings. This area is closest to the aircraft’s centre of gravity, so you’ll feel less turbulence compared to the back, where bumps are magnified.”

Aston Martin committed a procedural breach of Formula 1’s cost-cap regulations through a late submission of their documentation for the 2024 season.

The offence happened because the person at the independent company used by Aston Martin who was required to sign the submission was unwell at the time of the deadline on 31 March 2025.

The accounts were finished at the time, and the team did not exceed the cost cap.

Aston Martin have received no punishment from the FIA, but have been required to meet the costs incurred by F1’s governing body in preparing the team’s “accepted breach agreement”.

An FIA statement read: “Although Aston Martin Racing has been found to be in procedural breach, it has not exceeded the cost-cap level, and the procedural breach was of a very minor nature, originated by unpredictable circumstances outside the control of the F1 team.”

It added: “Aston Martin did not gain or seek to gain any advantage from the commission of the procedural breach at issue.”

Aston Martin submitted its draft documentation before the deadline, just not the finalised signed papers.

All nine other teams were found to be in compliance with the cost cap, as were all five engine manufacturers.

The 2024 cost-cap regulations defined a maximum spend per team of $135m (£106.375m).

A number of costs are excluded from the cap, including the salaries of drivers and the three top executives, and marketing spending.

Our writer Abby Wells soaks up the culture on a wonderful weekend in the Italian capital, featuring incredible history, authentic cuisine and top tourist attractions

Having never been to Italy before, I was very excited to see what its capital city had to offer – and it certainly didn’t disappoint. After leaving rainy England and landing in Rome’s significantly sunnier weather just over two hours later, I was immediately smitten with the architecture, the people, the food and the history.

Where to stay in Rome

I arrived at the Grand Hotel Palace Rome in the centre of the city in the heat of the afternoon sun as I was visiting back in the summer. Walking into the cool reception, with its calm and inviting decor, was a refreshing welcome.

Restored in 2010, this boutique hotel now blends timeless Italian design with 21st-century modernity – think marble floors, huge chandeliers and stunning frescoes. Despite having 74 bedrooms and 12 luxurious suites, it has an intimate feel.

My superior room was spacious and decorated in pastel hues. It had impressive city views and was a real haven away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds outside.

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What to do in Rome

This city is best explored on foot, so comfy shoes are a suitcase essential. The grand architecture is guaranteed to impress as you wander around with your gelato.

Our hotel was a stone’s throw from the gorgeous Villa Borghese, Rome’s largest park, which has landscaped gardens, sculptures and fountains, a zoo and even a replica of London’s Globe Theatre. I recommend heading to the Pincio terrace, which offers panoramic views of the city, including the famous domed roof of Saint Peter’s Basilica in the distance.

The Spanish Steps are a 10-minute walk from the hotel and although it was very busy here with tourists, I managed to find the perfect spot to sit and people watch – Babington’s tea rooms, which dates back to 1893 and is a must for tea lovers.

You can’t go to Rome and not visit Trevi Fountain. Tradition says that if you throw a coin into the fountain, you will return to the city. Already keen to visit again, I joined in.

What really struck me was how big it was. Measuring 26 metres high, it’s the biggest fountain in Rome, and undoubtedly the most magnificent. You need to join the queuing system to get close to the fountain, but this did move very quickly when I went at 9am.

Visiting the Colosseum is another must and I highly recommend booking a guided tour. My guide, Max, was extremely knowledgeable but also managed to add some humour. It was amazing seeing the huge arena where gladiators used to fight in front of thousands of people. Be sure to pre-book and get there in plenty of time, as getting through security takes a while.

After a long day of sightseeing, you can treat your tired feet to a pamper at Grand Hotel Palace’s Fusion Spa, an Asian-inspired oasis with a sauna, indoor heated saltwater pool and relaxation areas, plus a choice of indulgent treatments.

Where to eat in Rome

You’re spoilt for choice for places to eat in Rome. On every street there are lovely little tabernas strewn with fairy lights, pizzerias or shops serving gelato in every flavour imaginable.

On my first night I enjoyed the tasting menu at Grand Hotel Palace’s Ristorante Cadorin. I feasted on four courses, but the best was saved for last – the tiramisu was heavenly. I went to bed very happy with a full stomach. The hotel breakfast was buffet-style, with optional extras available to order.

If you’re looking for a traditional Italian restaurant, I recommend Checco Er Carettiere in an area called Trastevere. Tucked away down a side street, it’s family-run, serves authentic Roman dishes and has a pretty courtyard out the back. My pasta dish was just as you’d expect: utterly delicious.

If you’re a fan of fish, Il San Lorenzo is worth a visit. This sleek restaurant is reputed to offer the best seafood restaurant in Rome. If you do find yourself eating your body weight in pizza and pasta, don’t worry, as you’ll soon walk it off exploring this amazing ancient city.

How much does it cost?

Rooms at Grand Hotel Palace Rome start from £330 per night.

For alternative hotel options in Rome, browse on holiday booking sites such as Booking.com and Expedia.

A viral video showing a woman freezing her açaí bowl to get it past security has sparked a warning from experts, who say the hack could lead to a £5,000 fine for UK travellers

Social media, particularly TikTok, has emerged as a breeding ground for so-called “travel hacks.” Holidaymakers frequently rely on content creators for guidance on maximising their flights and hotel experiences.

Nevertheless, much of the guidance discovered online should be approached with considerable scepticism, particularly when it doesn’t originate from a qualified professional. This has proven true with one passenger’s footage, which has captured the attention of travellers and has now been viewed more than a million times.

In the footage, she demonstrates how she smuggles her açaí bowl through airport security: by freezing it before placing it in her hand luggage, reports the Express.

The post sparked confusion in the comments section, with one viewer questioning: “Wait, how did you get this through security?”, and another cautioning: “Pretty sure this is still considered a liquid.”

Now, travel specialists are offering their verdict – and they have one stark warning.

According to Amanda Parker, spokesperson for Netflights, freezing açaí bowls or similar liquids to stop security screening isn’t merely ineffective – it could lead to your snack being seized or, worse still, a substantial penalty.

“According to official government guidelines, you’re not allowed to carry frozen items in your hand luggage,” the travel expert clarified.

“Even though this açaí bowl is frozen, it’s still considered a liquid and security will treat it as a liquid.

“Your treat may start to thaw when you pass through airport security, and if it exceeds the 100 ml liquid limit, it’ll be going straight in the bin. Plus, the spillage while you carry it, not worth the hassle.”

And the danger doesn’t stop at security checks, as travellers jetting back to the UK could find their bowl’s contents triggering alarm bells with customs officials.

Numerous favourite toppings and ingredients – from dairy products to seeds and fresh fruit – violate UK border regulations.

“There are restrictions on bringing food back to the UK, too. Meat, dairy, fish, fruit, veg, nuts and seeds are all no-nos,” Amanda cautioned. “You could face a £5,000 fine if you break these rules.

“As açaí bowls are normally topped with nuts and seeds, plus they’re dairy, it’s important not to freeze your açaí bowl for your flight home to the UK, as you could pay the price.”

More than a month after he was arrested on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon with great bodily injury, UCLA backup quarterback Pierce Clarkson has taken a major step toward being able to resolve his case while avoiding charges altogether.

After the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office referred the case to the L.A. City Attorney for possible misdemeanor consideration, the latter agency has decided to handle the matter via a city attorney hearing, according to Ivor Pine, deputy director of communications for the City Attorney.

A city attorney hearing is an informal proceeding that allows individuals who face certain misdemeanors to resolve their situation with a hearing officer without a criminal filing.

The resolution of such hearings, including conditions imposed to remediate and rehabilitate, are fact-dependent and vary matter to matter, according to Pine. If the participant successfully complies with the conditions, the case is diverted and no charges are filed. If the participant fails to comply, then criminal charges may be filed.

A UCLA athletic department spokesperson said Tuesday evening that there was no update on Clarkson’s status with the team. He had been suspended from all team activities pending the resolution of legal proceedings after his Sept. 5 arrest.

Before his suspension, Clarkson had been one of the top backups to quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The son of quarterback guru Steve Clarkson, Pierce Clarkson had transferred to UCLA this offseason after having spent last spring at Mississippi. The former St. John Bosco High standout spent his first two college seasons at Louisville, where he played sparingly.

Luke Duncan has been UCLA’s top backup in Clarkson’s absence, playing briefly at the end of the Bruins’ victory over Michigan State.

The Nasdaq Composite‘s brutal 3.6% sell-off on Oct. 10 was a painful reminder of how quickly growth stocks can sell off when doubt creeps in. Friday’s tumble marked the worst session since April during the height of trade tensions between the U.S. and China.

The sell-off was a reaction to the U.S. threatening an additional 100% tariff on Chinese imports as a retaliation for China’s stricter export controls on rare-earth minerals and magnets. These materials and products are used across economic sectors, including semiconductors and technological equipment with artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

On Oct. 12, reports indicated that China would not back down against escalated tariff threats from the U.S.

Investors often talk about buying opportunities when the market is selling off. But it can be just as helpful to be aware of potential mistakes and prevent them before they do damage to your portfolio. Here are three that apply to AI growth stock investors who are preparing for next year.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Having an overly concentrated AI portfolio

A common mistake is to overly focus on one facet of a value chain.

For example, an investor may own Nvidia (NVDA -0.17%), Broadcom, and Advanced Micro Devices as a way to diversify across different AI chip designers. The issue is that many of these companies have the same customers. For example, OpenAI is buying chips from all three companies to build out 10 gigawatts of data centers. If OpenAI were to cut its spending, it could affect the earnings of all three companies.

Similarly, equipment suppliers like Applied Materials, Lam Research, and ASML all share the same largest customers — which are semiconductor manufacturers like Taiwan Semiconductor, Samsung Electronics, and Intel. So if Taiwan Semi cuts its spending, it would reduce earnings across the semiconductor equipment supplier industry.

Further down the value chain are the cloud computing giants like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Alphabet-owned Google Cloud, and Oracle. These companies benefit from increased AI spending, but they also serve general computing and storage needs. A slowdown in AI spending, or a widespread economic downturn, could reduce demand for additional cloud computing usage across major corporations.

By building out an AI portfolio across the value chain rather than focusing on one segment, you can help reduce volatility and limit the damage of an industry-specific pullback.

2. Ignoring position sizing

Portfolio sizing and allocation are just as important as the stocks and exchange-traded funds owned. You don’t want to be so diversified that your best ideas don’t make a big impact, but you also don’t want to be overly concentrated to the point where a handful of stocks can damage your financial health.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to diversification. But factors to consider include investment goals, investment time horizon, and risk tolerance.

A risk-averse investor would probably want to limit the size of a single stock in their financial portfolio, whereas an investor with a high risk tolerance and a multi-decade time horizon may not mind betting big on a handful of stocks, especially if they are still making new contributions to their investment accounts.

3. Buying stocks and not companies

Building a diversified portfolio isn’t enough. In fact, it’s not even the most important factor.

Arguably, the greatest mistake investors can make when approaching AI is to invest in stocks rather than companies. In other words, focusing too much on price action and potential gains rather than on what a company does and where it could be headed.

Peter Lynch’s investment advice to “know what you own, and why you own it,” still rings true today. Without conviction, a concoction of emotion and volatility can corrode the foundations of even the strongest portfolios. An investor may hold positions in stocks just because they are going up, even if those gains are temporary, because they don’t have to do with the underlying investment thesis.

The best investments are the ones you can put a decent amount of your portfolio into and be confident in owning, even if they suffer an extreme sell-off — like we saw in April during the height of trade tensions. If someone bought Nvidia just to make a quick buck, they may have been tempted to sell it when it fell by over 37% from its high in early April. Or when it dropped over 55% from its high in 2022. But someone investing in Nvidia for its multi-decade potential in AI data centers would have had an easier time holding the stock throughout these volatile periods.

Unlocking lasting success in the stock market

Diversifying across the AI value chain in companies you understand and with an awareness of portfolio sizing can help you build a portfolio that’s built to last, rather than one that can get hot only if the conditions are right.

Long-term investors know that success is more about making consistently good decisions over an extended period, rather than a few great ideas wedged between mediocrity and mistakes.

AI stocks have generated monster returns for patient investors, and many have the potential to create lasting generational wealth going forward. But those gains could take time, with many bumps along the way.

No one knows when the next major stock market sell-off will occur. Instead of guessing the timing and severity of a sell-off, it’s better to put your effort into following great companies and limiting mistakes.

In sum, diversification, conviction, and good companies are components that can help you build an investment suspension system capable of absorbing sell-off shocks.

If you’re looking to change your body shape, we’ve got you covered.

Here, Laura Hoggins, a personal trainer and author, takes you through your new workout plan.

Your New Workout 

Include a few compound movements in each workout, which work multiple muscles and joints at once. Do eight to 12 reps in each set.

“Women should lift heavy enough that the last two to three reps of a set are challenging but doable with good form,” says Laura.

You can use dumbbells or a barbell for these exercises:

SQUATS 

5

• Hold a dumbbell in each hand, letting them hang at your sides. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, chest up, and core tight.
• Initiate the squat by pushing your hips back, as if you are reaching for a chair behind you.
• Bend your knees and lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the floor (or as low as you can comfortably go while keeping your back straight and chest up). Keep the dumbbells close to your sides.
• Push through your heels and the middle of your feet to powerfully drive back up to the starting position.
• At the top, fully straighten your legs and squeeze your glutes for a complete repetition.

Try a goblet squat with one, heavier dumbbell held at the chest, or with a barbell on your upper back/neck.

DEADLIFTS

5

• Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Bend over and grip the bar with your hands just outside your shins.
• With the bar still on the floor, bend your knees until your shins touch the bar. The bar should be going across the mid-foot. Keep your hips low, chest up, and back straight. Take a big breath and brace your core.
• Drive through your heels, pushing the floor away. Stand up by extending your knees and hips simultaneously. Keep the bar in contact with your body (dragging it up your shins).
• Finish the lift by standing tall. Squeeze your glutes together and lock your hips and knees.
• To lower the bar again, hinge at your hips first, keeping your back straight, and allow the bar to descend down your thighs. Once the bar passes your knees, bend your knees to lower it to the floor with control.

BENCH PRESS

5

• In the gym, set up a barbell on a rack with a flat bench underneath it. Lie on the bench and, planting your feet firmly on the floor, grab the bar with an overhand grip slightly wider than shoulder-width.
• Squeeze your shoulder blades back and down (like you’re pinching a pencil between them). Arch your upper back slightly and drive your feet into the floor to lock in your entire body.
• Take a deep breath and push the bar straight up and off the rack. Move it forward until it is balanced directly over your shoulders. This is your starting position (see illustration above).
• Slowly lower the bar to your mid-chest, just below your collarbone. Keep your elbows tucked to a 45-to-70-degree angle from your body (avoid flaring them out wide).
• When the bar lightly touches your chest, press it forcefully up and slightly back (not straight up) until your arms are fully extended over your shoulders. Exhale, and then repeat the movement for the next rep.

Try with dumbbells if you are at home or are new to the exercise and want more flexibility or range of motion, for example.

BENT OVER ROWS

5

• Stand with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing each other (neutral grip). Bend your knees slightly, then hinge at your hips so your torso is close to a 45-degree angle to the floor.
• Keep your back straight, chest up, and core tight. Let the dumbbells hang straight down, just below your knees.
• Lead the movement by pulling your elbows up and back towards the ceiling, drawing the dumbbells toward the sides of your chest/lower rib cage.
• At the top of the movement, squeeze your back muscles together (imagine pinching a pencil between your shoulder blades).
• Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position with your arms fully extended, maintaining the bent-over posture for all repetitions.

Try with a barbell too.

OVERHEAD PRESS WITH SQUAT

5

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand by your sides (palms facing inward). Keep your chest up and core tight.
• Initiate the squat by pushing your hips back, as if you are sitting down into a chair.
• Bend your knees, keeping your back straight and the dumbbells hanging close to your body. Go down until your thighs are parallel to the floor, or as low as comfortable.
• Push through your heels and the middle of your feet to drive your body back up to the starting position. Fully straighten your legs and squeeze your glutes at the top of the movement.

Add on a couple of accessory lifts, which target specific areas and work only one side of the body at a time.

Think biceps curls or single-leg glute bridges.

Short on time?

“I suggest pairing exercises together from opposite muscle groups (such as quads and hamstrings), or an upper and a lower exercise to get the biggest bang for your time spent in the gym,” says Laura. 

Passengers on one budget airline might be subjected to even more fees when it comes to their seat selection, but there is one particular way to try and get around it

A budget airline has introduced a new fee for passengers who want to be able to recline their seat on their journey – and some aviation experts are unimpressed with the introduction of the new cost.

When it comes to booking a flight, the original price you see listed is often for the most basic option – and for a lot of airlines, even booking a specific seat to be with your friends or family will mean your wallet takes a hit.

From baggage costs to seat selection, it can seem like almost everything you might need on a flight will end up costing you even more – which can be a serious pain when most people are operating on pretty tight budgets.

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One more budget airline has decided to join the ranks of the businesses determined to eke as much out of their customers as possible, and will now be charging their customers to have a seat that reclines, redesigning their cabins with rows of fixed seats on some of their planes to fit in an extra row.

To avoid the extra cost, you’ll need to book one of the fixed seats in the Economy cabin.

The major Canadian airline, WestJet, will not have the vast majority of its Economy seats fixed upright, with passengers given the opportunity instead to pay more for a seat in the Premium cabin. The 12 seats in Premium will be ergonomically designed, have four options to adjust the headrest, and will recline.

Behind Premium will be 36 ‘Extended Comfort’ seats, part of the Economy option, which don’t recline, but do offer a bit more legroom for passengers.

“The cabin has been thoughtfully designed to offer WestJet’s welcoming service at every budget,” the Executive Vice-President and Chief Experience Officer of WestJet – Samantha Taylor – said in a statement, per news.com.au.

“It reflects our commitment to elevating every aspect of the travel experience and meeting guest demand for a broader range of product offerings,” the exec continued.

However, the experts are not necessarily impressed with the argument that the change is about creating more choice for consumers, or that by fitting in an extra row, prices will actually come down that much for passengers using the airline.

“The imagination of airline marketers never stops to astound me: the depths they will go through kind of gives people an impression that if I pay more, I get more,” John Gradek, an aviation lecturer at McGill University, fumed.

The airline passenger rights expert added: “Right now, it’s like you pay more to get what you had.”

WestJet is by no means the first airline to remove the option of reclining seats – Ryanair did so all the way back in 2004, and many other budget airlines operate similarly.

Even more premium airlines like British Airways, American Airlines, and Delta have reduced the number of reclining seats on offer, with BA removing them entirely on short-haul aircraft.