planet

Planet Labs (PL 3.58%) stock had a good start to the trading week on Monday. That’ll happen when an analyst increases their price target by more than 30%, which is what occurred before the market opened that morning. Planet Labs enjoyed an over 3% lift to its share price as a result, which outpaced the 1.1% rise of the bellwether S&P 500 (^GSPC 1.07%).

A 33% boost

The pundit responsible for the raise was Needham’s Ryan Koontz, who now feels Planet Labs is worth $16 per share; he previously placed a $12 price target on the stock. In making the change, Koontz maintained his buy recommendation on the shares.

Image source: Getty Images.

According to reports, the analyst made his change on the basis of presentations made during the company’s investor day. He wrote that management emphasized its strategic focus on satellite services arrangements. The company is also encouraged by what it expects to be rising defense budgets from governments around the world.

Given all that, Koontz raised his estimates modestly for Planet Labs’ fiscal 2027, which begins early in calendar year 2026.

Growth in the ether

Planet Labs’ main activity is the provision of detailed geographic data on Earth from a network of satellites. It’s still consistently loss-making, however, despite some impressive revenue growth. It’s therefore a risky investment, and should only be considered by investors comfortable with such plays.

OUR wardrobes are stuffed with 1.6billion unworn clothes.

So it is best for the planet — and your bank balance — to stop buying new and instead swap your old stuff for other people’s cast-offs.

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During Second Hand September, Oxfam is encouraging people to hunt down a bargain and find unique pieces that will make you stand out from the crowd.

TREASURE HUNT: Trawling high street charity shops is a great way to spot a gem.

Abi Owen, online shop merchandiser for Oxfam, says: “Charity shops are full of wonderful, unique finds, so it’s worth having an open mind to see what might catch your eye.

“As autumn begins, timeless items such as cable-knit jumpers and checked shirts are the perfect pre-loved find.”

WONDERS ON THE WEB: If you can’t get to a second-hand shop, or you have something specific in mind, look online.

Lose yourself on Vinted or eBay and, to support a good cause, search for charity shops on the internet. Many also have their own online shops.

SEPTEMBER SURPRISES: At Oxfam’s online store (onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk) you can narrow your search by price, size or designer.

We found Ralph Lauren sunglasses for under £9.99, a Tommy Hilfiger jumpsuit for £12.99 and a wedding dress for £30.

During Second Hand September, there is also a range of offers, including free delivery until Tuesday and ten per cent off when signing up for Oxfam’s newsletter.

BEST BUYS: Make the most of your money and bag a second-hand bargain that you will wear lots of times.

Denim will never go out of fashion and is stacked up in charity shops.

Abi says: “Whether it is a pair of jeans or a classic jacket, they are perfect for styling up or down.

“Plus, they’re better when they’ve been worn in.

“Accessories are a brilliant second-hand item to shop for, too. A good belt or some gorgeous earrings can complete a look.

“Keep your eyes peeled for details like a tartan scarf to pull an outfit together.”

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• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability

Deal of the day

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KIDS will go loopy for the Hot Wheels Track Creator Triple Loop Speed Kit, reduced from £40.98 to £30.98 at direct.asda.com.

SAVE: £10

Cheap treat

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ENJOY a cheeky nibble with Morrisons milk chocolate digestives, 300g, down from £1.25 to 89p.

SAVE: 36p

What’s new?

THRILL-SEEKING grannies and grandads can enjoy the rides at Drayton Manor for free this weekend.

The Staffordshire theme park is giving free entry to over-70s until Monday.

Top swap

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CHEESE Louise!

Snack on a six-pack of Quavers, £2.13 from Asda, working out at 36p for a 16g bag.

Or enjoy the store’s own Cheesy Curls six-pack, £1.25, or 21p for a 16g bag.

SAVE: 15p per bag

Little helper

COTE Brasserie is offering a different “icon” dish for £10 each week day when you say “I’m an Icon” to staff.

Save the most on Thursdays when the beef bourguignon, usually £21.95, is a tenner.

Shop & save

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GET tea sorted for less with Young’s Gastro two tempura battered fish fillets, down from £5.25 to £2.50, with a Tesco Clubcard.

SAVE: £2.75

Hot right now

IKEA Family members can get a small cooked breakfast for £1 or regular one for £1.50 on Saturdays until 11am. Save up to £2.35.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

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Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

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In the early 20th century it was widely thought that there was intelligent life on Mars, and that we actually knew something about the inhabitants. Fringe theorists and yellow journalists spread this view, but so did respected scientists and the New York Times. The U.S. and much of the rest of the world had Martians on the brain. The mania could be summed up by the philosophy of Fox Mulder, the paranormal investigator played by David Duchovny on “The X-Files”: “I want to believe.”

How this came to pass is the subject of “The Martians.” David Baron’s deeply researched and witty book explores what happened when “we, the people of Earth, fell hard for another planet and projected our fantasies, desires, and ambitions onto an alien world.” As Baron writes, “This romance blazed before it turned to embers, and it produced children, for we — the first humans who might actually sail to Mars — are its descendants.”

Well before there was Elon Musk, there was Percival Lowell. A disillusioned, admittedly misanthropic Boston Brahmin, Lowell came to see himself as a scientist with the soul of a poet, or a poet with scientific instincts. He was also filthy rich, and he poured much of his money into equipment and research that might help him prove there was life on Mars.

David Baron, a Colorado-based science writer, approaches his subject with clarity, style and narrative drive.

(Dana C. Meyer)

He was hardly alone. Other movers and shakers in the Martian movement included French astronomer and philosopher Camille Flammarion, who brought missionary zeal to the task of convincing the world of extraterrestrial life; and Giovanni Schiaparelli, the colorblind Italian astronomer who observed “an abundance of narrow streaks” on Mars “that appeared to connect the seas one to another.” He called these “canali,” which in Italian means “channels.” But in English the word was translated as “canals,” and it was quickly and widely assumed that these canals were strategically created by agriculturally-inclined Martians. Lowell, Flammarion and Schiaparelli collaborated and communicated with one another throughout their lives, in the interest of spreading the word of life on Mars.

Baron, a Colorado-based science writer, approaches his subject with clarity, style and narrative drive, focusing on the social currents and major figures of his story rather than scientific concepts that might go over the head of a lay reader (including this one). The Mars craze unfolded during a period defined by the theory of evolution, which expanded our conception of gradualism and inexorable progress, and tabloid journalism, which was quick to present enthusiastic postulation and speculation as fact, whether the subject was the Spanish-American War or life on other planets. Science fiction was also taking off, thanks largely to a prolific Englishman named H.G. Wells, whose widely serialized attack-of-the-Martians story “War of the Worlds” piqued the Western imagination. All of the above contributed to Mars fever.

One by one Baron introduces his protagonists, including Musk’s hero Nikola Tesla. An innovator in wireless communication and what would now be called remote control, Tesla won over the press and public with his enigmatic charm, which led his pronouncements to be taken seriously and literally by those who should have known better. “I have an instrument by which I can receive with precision any signal that might be made to this world from Mars,” he told a reporter. Tesla briefly had a powerful benefactor in Wall Street king J.P. Morgan, who funded Tesla’s wireless research before deciding the Mars obsession was a bit much and cutting him off.

Baron comes not to bury the Mars mania, but to examine the reasons why we choose to believe what we believe. Lowell, spurned in his romantic life and treated as a black sheep by his dynastic family, found in Mars a calling, a raison d’être. As Baron writes, “Mars gave his life purpose; it offered him the means to prove himself a success worthy of the Lowell pedigree.” The Mars believers were dreamers and misfits, all with something to prove (or, in the case of some publishers, papers to sell).

As Baron points out, the scientific method often fell by the wayside amid the hullabaloo. An acquaintance of Lowell’s bemoaned the habit Lowell had of “jumping at some general idea or theorem,” after which he “selects and bends facts to underprop that generalization.” Lowell himself once advised an assistant, “It is better never to admit that you have made a mistake.” Or later, as he sought photographic evidence of the Mars canals: “We must secure some canals to confound the skeptics” — which, today, carries eerie echoes of “Find me the votes.”

None of which should denigrate the dreams of space exploration. Nobody, after all, imagined we would actually walk on the moon. Carl Sagan, the great science popularizer and member of the Mariner 9 team that captured groundbreaking images of Mars in 1971, concluded that those canals were, as Baron puts it, “mere chimeras, an amalgam of misperceptions due to atmospheric distortion, the fallible human eye, and one man’s unconstrained imagination.” But that imagination, Sagan added, had value of its own: “Even if Lowell’s conclusions about Mars, including the existence of the fabled canals, turned out to be bankrupt, his depiction of the planet had at least this virtue: it aroused generations of eight-year-olds, myself among them, to consider the exploration of the planets as a real possibility, to wonder if we ourselves might go to Mars.”

L.A. Times contributor Vognar recently joined the staff of the Boston Globe.

This scenic railway journey through the Cambrian Mountains has been named in the top ten percent of attractions worldwide in the 2025 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards

A breathtaking railway journey in Wales has been hailed as one of the world’s top tourist attractions. The Vale of Rheidol Railway in Ceredigion has earned global acclaim, landing a spot in the top ten percent of attractions worldwide in the 2025 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, which are entirely based on visitor reviews and ratings over a 12-month period.

The scenic trip begins at Aberystwyth and takes passengers deep into the heart of the Cambrian Mountains, ending at the iconic Devil’s Bridge. This Welsh gem is actually three bridges built atop each other, towering over the Mynach and Rheidol streams.

The railway itself boasts a rich history, having been in operation for over 120 years since its opening in 1902. Initially built to serve local communities and transport goods like lead and timber, it now enjoys a reputation as one of the most picturesque railway journeys for all ages, reports Wales Online. Meanwhile, a warning has been issued to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.

READ MORE: New train stations will allow tourists to explore popular UK holiday destinationREAD MORE: Beautiful European train station could see 594-mile train journeys from the UK

The line spans a modest 12 miles and it takes about an hour to reach Devil’s Bridge. Once there, you can enjoy a snack or a hearty meal and a pint at the Hafod Hotel, which offers stunning views of the valley below from its seating area.

Visitors can then embark on two different walks: a brief stroll beneath the bridges offering the chance to witness the cascading water up close, and a lengthier, more challenging trek deep into the Rheidol gorge where spectacular views of the 300ft Mynach waterfalls await.

The Travellers’ Choice Awards rely on authentic feedback, with only a limited number of attractions earning this prestigious recognition annually. “Being recognised by the people who travel with us is what means the most,” said Llyr ap Iolo, general manager of the Vale of Rheidol Railway.

“Whether it’s their first visit or their fiftieth, we aim to make the experience special every time. This award reflects the hard work and passion of our staff and volunteers, and we are proud to share it with them.”

The Vale of Rheidol Railway boasts an exceptionally impressive TripAdvisor rating of 4.6 out of five stars, based on nearly 1,400 reviews. One traveller declared he was “absolutely amazed at how good it is”, whilst another described it as a “lovely experience with incredible views”.

A recent visitor penned: “Absolutely wonderful experience on this railway. We paid a little extra to travel first class and it was well worth it. Travelling in a 1920s cabin was so nostalgic and humbling. The station was immaculate in every way. Even the WCs were immensely clean. The pride the staff took in every aspect of the train itself was clear to see – even the chimney on the engine was gleaming.”

Another visitor gushed: “A brilliant afternoon spent on this quaint steam train. From start to finish, spectacular views. Devil’ls Bridge was excellent along with the Devil’s Punch bowl. The museum entry which comes with the train tickets was very good. A must do activity if you’re in Aberystwyth.”

NATO’s leaders agreed this week to invest 5 percent of their countries’ gross domestic product (GDP) on “core defence requirements as well as defence and security-related spending by 2035”. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called it a “quantum leap” in spending that would guarantee “freedom and security” for the military alliance’s one billion people. It certainly is historic in terms of military escalation, but will it deliver security – and if so, for whom?

The headline demand for 5 percent GDP spending has been so loud, it’s easy to forget that for a long time, many NATO members considered the previous 2 percent goal either unachievable or unimportant. NATO first committed to its 2 percent GDP goal in 2002, but by 2021, only six of its members had achieved it. Yet three years later, 23 members had met the goal and all 32 are expected to comply by the end of 2025.

This week, NATO has committed to more than doubling its spending to 5 percent of GDP. This will be partly met through creative accounting and reflects a desire to trumpet a big number to satisfy a petulant President Trump. The 5 percent headline includes 1.5 percent spent on military-related infrastructure, which could be broadly defined to include civilian expenditure. Even so, it reflects a huge escalation of military expenditure over the next decade from an already very high level.

Last year, NATO spent $1.5 trillion on the military – more than half of global military spending. If members comply with the core 3.5 percent target by 2030, that would mean a total of $13.4 trillion in military expenditure. It’s an impossible figure to grasp, but if you stacked it in one-dollar bills, you could make almost four piles that reach the moon. It could also be distributed as a one-off cash bonus of $1,674 to every person on the planet.

In reality, the money will be diverted – most of all from social and environmental spending – even though 30 percent of Europeans report difficulty in making ends meet and climate scientists warn that we have two years left to keep temperature increases below the international target of 1.5 degrees Celsius (34.7 degrees Fahrenheit).

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who fought for a partial exemption from the 5 percent goal, was the most honest about this costly trade-off: “If we had accepted 5 percent, Spain would have to spend by 2035 an extra 300 billion euros on defence. Where would it come from? From cuts in health and education.”

Social and environmental spending is already on the chopping block. In February, the United Kingdom announced it would reduce its aid budget to 0.3 percent of GDP to pay for military spending increases – a year after it won an election committing to increase foreign aid. Belgium, the Netherlands and France followed suit, announcing aid cuts of 25 to 37 percent. The United States, under Trump, has decimated its overseas aid and climate programmes and reduced healthcare funding while proposing a record $1 trillion expenditure on the Pentagon.

Europe is falling far behind on its own environmental and social goals, with its primary funding vehicle, the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), expiring in 2026. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) concludes that most European NATO members will be unable to meet the 3.5 percent NATO target without cutting budgets, raising taxes or changing fiscal rules.

NATO’s spending spree will not only divert money – it will worsen the climate crisis. As one of the world’s biggest carbon polluters, it is investing in more gas-guzzling jets, tanks and missiles. Military emissions are notoriously hard to track due to limited data, but one report estimates that 3.5 percent of GDP spending would lead to 2,330 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gases by 2030 – roughly the same as the combined annual emissions of Brazil and Japan.

NATO’s justification is that increased investment is needed to confront the threats of “Russia” and “terrorism”. Yet there is no rationale behind the 5 percent target or details on why threats to NATO have so drastically increased. Nor is there self-examination on how NATO’s actions partly set the stage for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia has increased military spending, but it still spends 10 times less than NATO. Nor could it catch up militarily with NATO’s 32-strong alliance, given its economy: $2 trillion in 2024 (nominal GDP), compared with $26 trillion for non-US NATO countries and $29 trillion for the US alone. As for “terrorism”, the idea that NATO’s increased spending could deter it ignores the failures of the “War on Terror”, where NATO interventions in Afghanistan and Libya prompted instability and fighter recruitment.

The security NATO seems most concerned with is that of its arms firms. Long before Trump’s pressure, arms firms have pushed for higher European military spending through lobbying groups like the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD). They have successfully made military security an overriding European Union objective, winning ever more public money for research and industry support. Now they are reaping the rewards with booming revenues and profits. Before the NATO summit, BlackRock released an investment report celebrating the arms industry as a “dynamic growth industry” and a “mega force” that will drive investment trends in the coming years.

NATO’s idea of security diverts money from social needs, worsens the climate crisis, rewards arms firms profiting from global conflict, and chooses war over diplomacy. Its bellicose stance in The Hague this week makes it one of the greatest threats to global security – even to life on this planet. It is up to the peoples of NATO countries to reject this deadly path and reclaim security based on cooperation, justice and peace.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.

THE Prince of Wales said watching humans destroy our oceans was “simply heartbreaking” as he urged world leaders to act by thinking big yesterday.

William‘s call came in a speech to the Blue Economy and Finance Forum on ocean preservation at the ­Grimaldi Forum in Monaco after meeting France’s President Emmanuel Macron.

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The prince, whose opening and closing remarks were in French, said those attending were “united by our deep connection to the ocean and our ­concern for its safety”.

William, in navy suit with a recycled sustainable tie from Wilmok, said the clock was ticking on meeting the target agreed at the 2022 UN Biodiversity Summit aiming to protect at least 30 per cent of the world’s land and sea by 2030.

Speaking at the heads of state and government session on the forum’s final day, the prince added: “Watching human activity reduce beautiful sea forests to barren deserts at the base of our oceans is simply heartbreaking.

“For the future of our planet, for the future generations, we must listen to the words of Sir David Attenborough: ‘If we save the sea, we save our world’.

“I call on all of you to think big in your actions.”

World leaders were greeted by a blue carpet as they arrived at the event, with William chatting with Mr Macron and other dignitaries.

Addressing an audience of 1,800, William said: “Rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution and overfishing are putting pressure on fragile ecosystems.

“What once seemed an abundant resource is diminishing before our eyes.

“We all stand to be impacted. And we are all responsible for change — both negative and positive.

“But there remains time to turn this tide.”

Later, William said he went through a range of emotions when he saw Sir David’s new Ocean film.

He told Enric Sala, who worked on the film: “I got angry, then sad, then I got frustrated, then I got happy.”

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

FESTIVAL fans are being urged to go green on Glasgow Green this summer with more sustainable fashion choices.

Every year Brits throw away 300,000 tonnes of fabric waste, which ends up slowly decomposing in landfills.

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And to do their bit, the team behind TRNSMT is encouraging festival-goers to choose second hand style when it comes to their outfits.

Bosses are launching a Sustainable Festival Fashion Trail, which kicks off this weekend.

Tomorrow, TRNSMT will take over the Barras Market, Off The Rails at VEGA Glasgow and will pop up at vintage stores where shoppers can explore unique finds and festival picks curated by Scottish Stylist of the Year Victoria Lee.

The Glasgow-based preloved fashion fan said: “It is my job to encourage people to step away from fast fashion and choose more sustainable routes when it comes to topping up their wardrobes.”

Getting a look right for a festival can be tricky, especially in our unpredictable Scottish weather.

But what Victoria hopes is that music-lovers will avoid buying fast fashion items that get tossed aside once the party weekend is over in favour of vintage pieces that will last a lifetime.

Victoria, who ditched her own fast fashion business when she discovered the unethical roots of her on-sale items, said: “I love the uniqueness of it.

“When you’re shopping, you can have those unique pieces that other people aren’t wearing.

“You can really focus on your personal style. I think when you’re more slow and more intentional about what you buy, it pays off more in the end as well.”

While the average lifespan of an item of clothing is three years, many people who consume fast fashion find their clothing only lasts a few months.

But some of the preloved pieces in second hand and vintage stores have been worn for decades — and are still going strong.

Victoria said: “I think a lot of people panic buy for festivals and also we’ve become a little bit too accustomed to viewing our clothes as disposable.

“So the fashion trail encourages people to buy more staple pieces. The pieces in the collections will all be pieces that you can hopefully style around other things. Normal life, not just festivals.”

SUSTAINABLE STYLE

WE are self-confessed clothes addicts.

But, despite our love for all things fashion, choosing a fest outfit still foxes us — especially with our different ages and sizes.

In our YouTube series For Everybody, we test out outfits from the high street to see who is winning when it comes to being inclusive.

Katy is 34 and a size 18 while I’m a tummy-conscious size ten 45-year-old.
So could Victoria choose gorgeous, preloved festival outfits that rocked both of our worlds?

She scoured the rails at Glasgow’s West Vintage for two looks that could go from day to night at TRNSMT.

And she played a blinder.

For Katy, Victoria chose a flowy, brightly-coloured, tie-dyed maxi skirt paired with an over-sized sports T-shirt, all for just over £40.

For me, she chose a classic denim waistcoat and a layered white mini, with a handbag scarf for a pop of colour all for £50.

These pieces can be worn for years to come, making cost per wear a snip — music to our ears.

And her top tip for what to wear this summer? The style pro said: “I’d say the most fashionable thing you can do is just go with your own personal style and express yourself and who you are. Get those pieces that are staples that you’ll be able to wear again and again.”

On Sunday, the day will kick off at the Barras Market in Glasgow’s East End, where from 12pm fans can browse curated rails of pre-loved fashion, discover upcycled gems and get styling tips from sustainability champions.

From there, fans can head to Kings Court, stopping at vintage favourites including Mr Bens Retro Clothing, Minted and West Vintage for even more unique finds picked out by Victoria.

The day wraps up at VEGA Glasgow with a special festival edition of Off The Rails, a quarterly pop-up that celebrates independent brands.

There will be live performances by artists from this year’s BBC Introducing line-up and Radio 1 Dance Stage DJs at both The Barras and VEGA, bringing the festival buzz to the city.

There will also be the chance to win festival tickets to this summer’s Glasgow Green music extravaganza on July 11 to 13, with ten golden labels hidden along the trail as a reward for those who choose pre-loved summer festival outfits.

A TRNSMT Festival spokesman said: “Planning a festival outfit is a priority for so many fans. We wanted to create something that shows how sustainable fashion can still be exciting, creative, and fun, especially in a city like Glasgow that’s full of legendary vintage and second-hand options.”

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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell believes NFL fans and newcomers to the sport in Ireland will be seeing the best wide receiver “on the planet” in Justin Jefferson when his side play in Dublin in September.

On Tuesday, the Vikings were confirmed as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ opponents for the first ever regular-season game in Ireland.

As part of a record seven international matches to be played in 2025, the sides will meet at Croke Park on 28 September with the Vikings then going on to face the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the following week.

In four-time All-Pro selection Justin Jefferson, the Vikings will have one of the game’s genuine superstars in their ranks.

“Justin Jefferson, if fans don’t know about him yet, they certainly will very soon,” O’Connell said.

“Getting the opportunity to see the best wide receiver on the planet in my opinion is a great start to getting to know the Minnesota Vikings, as well as a whole lot of great players on our offence and our defence.

“It’s a heck of a match-up with the Steelers and two great franchises battling it out to get a very important win.”