The latest ONS baby name data has been analysed to reveal the most popular names, with some ancient names proving incredibly popular with modern parents

In the wake of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey proving a box office smash, ancient Greece is once more gripping the nation’s attention. But might this rekindled interest in Gods, warriors and epic myths also be shaping the names mums and dads are picking for their wee ones?

Greek mythology has shaped baby names across the ages, from enduring classics such as Penelope to striking contemporary picks like Atlas.

New Office for National Statistics (ONS) baby name figures, examined by JoJo Maman Bébé, now show which mythology-inspired names are winning favour with modern parents.

Anne Varsanyi, head of buying at JoJo Maman Bébé, said: “Choosing a baby’s name is one of the first opportunities parents have to express something about their family, whether that’s honouring tradition, celebrating heritage or simply choosing a name they love.

“What’s particularly fascinating about this year’s data is seeing how quickly tastes can change.

“Some names that once filled classrooms have become increasingly rare, while others that were barely heard a generation ago are now among the country’s favourites,” reports the Liverpool Echo.

Top five most popular Greek mythological names for girls

• Penelope – The famously faithful wife of Odysseus
• Athena – Goddess of wisdom, courage, and warfare
• Rhea – Titaness and mother of the original Olympian gods
• Persephone – Queen of the Underworld and goddess of spring growth
• Gaia – Goddess of the Earth

Top five most popular Greek mythological names for boys

• Atlas – The Titan condemned to carry the weight of the heavens
• Ares – The God of war and courage
• Apollo – God of music, light, truth and healing
• Artemis – Traditionally, the Goddess of the hunt
• Perseus – The demigod who defeated Medusa

JoJo Maman Bébé examined the most recent ONS figures.

The analysis looked at 2025’s most popular names, those showing the biggest rises since 1996, and those suffering the steepest drops over the same period.

Figures were drawn from the ONS Baby Names release, which came out on July 9, 2026.

Penelope, the legendary heroine from The Odyssey, sits at the pinnacle as the top mythological choice, with 1,174 newborns given the name in 2025.

Athena (519 babies ) and Atlas (355 babies) have made the leap from ancient myth to contemporary nursery staples, both proving remarkably fashionable amongst mums and dads seeking names with power and presence.

While choices such as Rhea and Ares are gaining traction, parents after something genuinely distinctive could turn to Apollo (39 babies) or Perseus (eight babies) for a name that really stands out.

LUSAKA, Zambia (AP) — Zambia holds an election Thursday to decide if President Hakainde Hichilema will get a second five-year term as reward for his economic recovery plan in the southern African nation that’s one of the world’s top copper producers but was recently mired in a debt crisis.

Zambia defaulted on sovereign debt repayments to China and other nations in 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing attention to the unsustainable burdens faced by some developing countries.

Hichilema was elected a year later, and Zambia has restructured more than $12 billion in debts to other countries and private creditors under his leadership while reigning in inflation and stabilizing the currency.

His long-term economic plan involves a pledge to more than triple Zambia’s copper output to 3 million metric tons a year by 2031 — which would be a staggering rise that could put Zambia ahead of the United States and China in terms of global producers of the in-demand critical mineral.

Opposition leader likely Hichilema’s strongest challenger

Hichilema won a presidential election in 2021 having lost in five votes before that stretching back to 2006. The 64-year-old is a former financial services executive but also has a background in farming and is one of the nation’s biggest cattle ranchers.

He is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and has led the United Party for National Development since 2006.

In a field that includes 13 other presidential candidates, analysts say Hichilema’s strongest challenger will likely be Brian Mundubile, the leader of an opposition alliance called the Tonse Alliance.

The 55-year-old Mundubile, who is a law graduate, was not considered a major political figure in Zambia but emerged in January as the leader of Tonse after it was embroiled in internal wrangles.

The big issues

While inflation has dropped and the value of Zambia’s currency, the Kwacha, has improved under Hichilema, ordinary Zambians bemoan high food and energy costs. Some critics say the macroeconomic stability hasn’t benefited most people in the landlocked country of some 22 million.

“You expect a minimum of three years to be able to drive an economic agenda and turn around a country,” Zambian economist Trevor Hambayi said. “That has passed and they’ve had five years. But these effects have not yet trickled down to the Zambian people.”

Hichilema promised this week while campaigning to build more schools, health facilities and roads, and to create more jobs. “We love you so much and this is why we are working round the clock to lower the cost of living,” he said.

Another criticism of Hichilema is that he has squeezed dissent in a country where elections have been largely peaceful.

On Tuesday, the Tonse Alliance accused Hichilema’s government of being behind a law enforcement agency raid on its offices that saw vehicles, communication equipment and other items seized. The alliance alleged it was politically motivated to disrupt its campaigning.

Hichilema’s rivalry with his predecessor, the late former President Edgar Lungu, was especially bitter and continued even after Lungu’s death last year. When Lungu was president, then-opposition leader Hichilema was imprisoned for four months in 2017 on charges of treason after Lungu alleged Hichilema’s motorcade didn’t gave way to his on a road.

Lungu claimed he was effectively put under house arrest during Hichilema’s first term and had to sneak out of the country to seek medical care in South Africa.

Lungu died in South Africa in June 2025, prompting a macabre yearlong battle between Hichilema’s government and Lungu’s family over where the body should be buried. The government insisted it be repatriated for a state funeral, while the family said one of Lungu’s last wishes was that he not have a state funeral presided over by Hichilema.

The dispute, which fascinated Zambians, went to South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal. It ruled in favor of the family, though burial plans have still not been announced.

Interest from China and the US

China is the top foreign investor in Zambia, especially for its copper and cobalt — critical minerals that are used in electronics, electric vehicles and other new technologies.

Those minerals have also drawn interest from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, though Zambia has accused the U.S. of tying critical minerals access to a proposed $2 billion health deal between the countries — allegations the U.S. rejected.

How the election works

Voters in the one-day election on Thursday will also choose lawmakers in Parliament and local government councilors. Around 8 million people are registered to vote.

Zambia’s presidential election works on the 50% plus one system where a candidate has to get an outright majority to win. That raises the possibility of a second round of voting if no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote first time around.

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AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa

Technically “Air Force One” is the call sign for any aircraft carrying the US president.

But on this occasion, the C-32A used the call sign “Reach 18”, while the aircraft carrying the journalists continued to use “AF1” in order to keep up the ruse.

Trump then flew to the UK en route to the US, where he reboarded the old Air Force One and was seen descending from the aircraft after it landed at RAF Mildenhall.

It is unclear how he moved from the C-32A back to the legacy jet.

The president then transferred to the new Qatari-donated Air Force One to travel back to Washington.

During that flight, Trump spoke to reporters on board where he noted the threats posed by Iran but did not mention the earlier plane swap.

Asked why reporters had been told to lower the window shades on the plane from Turkey, Trump said at the time: “Because you’re probably on a dangerous flight because of the sleazebags we have to deal with.”

He said he had a “threat all the time” on his life, and that he is “number one” on Iran’s “list”.

Jose Zamora, regional director for the Americas for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said in a statement that the Trump administration “has a responsibility to ensure that journalists covering the president are not unnecessarily exposed to danger”.

“Reporters should be informed of credible security threats so they can make informed decisions about their safety,” he added.

Fire crews have issued a stern warning to parents after a child went missing on Mother’s Beach in Maine while their parent was to distracted by their mobile phone to notice

The parent of a child who went missing on a beach has been given a stern warning after being distracted by their phone at the time.

The worrying incident occured at Mother’s Beach in the coastal town of Kennebunkport on Monday. The child, who has not been named, briefly went missing while their caregiver was distracted by their phone, according to an announcement from Kennebunk Fire-Rescue posted on Facebook.

The fire department said that the child was reunited with their parent after authorities located the youngster in “a completely different beach area.”

The post reads: “A Reminder to Parents and Caregivers: Phones Down. Eyes Up.

“Many of you became aware of the missing child incident at Mother’s Beach today. Thankfully, the child was located safely and reunited with their caregiver. However, this was a very preventable incident and an important reminder for everyone responsible for children around the water.

“When you are at the beach, pool, lake, or anywhere near the water with a child, put the phone down and keep your eyes up. Active supervision means maintaining constant awareness of where your child is and what they are doing.

“In today’s incident, the child had travelled into a completely different beach area from where the caregiver was located. After the child was safely reunited with the caregiver, our personnel observed the caregiver immediately return their attention to their phone. A stern warning was given regarding the seriousness of what had occurred and the caregiver’s responsibility to actively supervise the child.

“We also want to emphasize that situations like this are extremely unfair to our Ocean Guards. Our guards are there to protect everyone using our beaches—they are not babysitters and cannot replace parental or caregiver supervision.

“Our Ocean Guards are responsible for continuously scanning large areas of water and beach, identifying swimmers in distress, recognizing changing surf and water conditions, providing emergency medical care, and responding to life-threatening emergencies. When a child is left inadequately supervised, guards may be forced to divert their attention and resources from those responsibilities to search for a child whose caregiver should know where they are.

“Lifeguards provide an incredibly important layer of protection, but their presence does not transfer the responsibility for supervising a child from the caregiver to the lifeguard.

“Drowning and other water-related emergencies can develop incredibly quickly and often without the yelling, splashing, or obvious signs people expect. That is why active, uninterrupted supervision is so important.

“Please help us protect your children and allow our Ocean Guards to protect everyone on our beaches: Phones down. Eyes up. Know where your children are at all times. A few seconds of distraction near the water can have lifelong consequences.”

Several people thanked Kennebunk Fire-Rescue for its announcement in the comments of the Facebook post and expressed anger at parents getting distracted by their phones.

One user commented: “Very well said, I do believe we should push for beaches being cell phone zone free”, another said: “Why go to the beach and stare at your phone? I put my phone in my beach bag, I only check it when I want to see the time or get a picture.”

Extreme heat warnings have been issued by the Met Office for 12 counties across Britain as the mercury looks set to climb to 38C in its fifth heatwave of the summer

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Large swathes of the UK could be poised to bake as temperatures look set to reach 38C during the fifth heatwave of the summer, with parched conditions hindering firefighting teams tackling blazes nationwide.

One firefighters’ union leader has gone so far as to declare a wildfire “national emergency” for the UK, while the Met Office has disclosed that Britain is on course for the hottest summer on record.

Several uncommon amber “extreme heat” warnings have been issued for 12 counties spanning London and areas of the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands and South Yorkshire, effective from 9am Tuesday (August 11) through to midnight on Thursday (August 13).

The alerts caution that temperatures could climb to 33C on Wednesday before rising to peaks of 37C or 38C on Thursday, the Met Office reports.

Met Office chief forecaster Chris Bulmer stated: “While the peak heat will be more short-lived than recent heatwaves, temperatures widely into the mid-30s Celsius on Thursday brings the potential for impacts for some, which is why a Met Office warning has been issued.”

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“High pressure is now becoming dominant and temperatures will build day by day. Southerly and south-easterly winds will also tap into the hot conditions over Europe which helps develop this further notable heat in what has been a hot and dry summer so far for many in the south of the UK.”

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has additionally issued its own amber heat health alerts, with warnings in place for all regions throughout the UK. The UKHSA’s amber heat health alerts, which are designed to caution Britons when extreme temperatures are likely to affect the health and wellbeing of the population, run from Tuesday (August 11) at 9am through to Friday (August 14) at 9pm.

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright told Times Radio the country is currently facing a national emergency “right now”, with blazes being seen “all across” the UK.

According to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), firefighters have responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including 185 during the first 10 days of August alone.

July proved to be the busiest month on record for wildfires, with 458 incidents logged.

Crews from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have been tackling a blaze in the New Forest, which broke out after a van caught fire on the A31 near Ringwood on Sunday.

The affected area is protected heathland and is home to a number of rare species, according to the New Forest National Park Authority.

Mr Wright said: “In many parts of the country, firefighters do not have the new modern equipment to deal with these.

“They do not have the new modern personal protective equipment, the lightweight fire kit that we wear, the right helmets, lightweight helmets, breathable uniforms to make sure they’re better protected, their health is protected when they’re out dealing with these incidents for hours and hours on end.”

Only standard weather conditions are required for the remainder of August for the UK to surpass the record for the warmest summer, which was established just last year.

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Almost three quarters of England and the entirety of Wales are now experiencing drought, following a record dry July and exceptionally dry beginning to August coupled with elevated temperatures placing strain on water supplies.

Southern Water has submitted an application for an uncommon drought order which would prohibit businesses from non-essential water usage, including washing vehicles and filling non-domestic swimming pools.

The firm stated an “exceptional” absence of rainfall had threatened supplies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

It cautioned that 165,000 residents in the Southampton West supply area could encounter restricted supplies.

Environment Secretary Angela Eagle will determine the application, which would be the first such prohibition since May 2006.

Meanwhile, water stations have been established in Ilford, east London, and Chigwell, Essex, following burst water mains which left properties and businesses without water or with reduced water pressure since Sunday, Thames Water confirmed. Record-breaking heatwaves during May and June resulted in more than 2,800 fatalities, while sections of the nation were affected by additional heatwaves last month as England and Wales witnessed their driest July since records commenced in 1836.

The Environment Agency reported that 71.3% of England is currently experiencing “flash drought”, following a parched beginning to August after the country’s driest July on record.

Flash drought is a phenomenon that emerges extremely rapidly due to a combination of exceptionally low rainfall and elevated temperatures.

Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “I want to thank NHS staff who are once again stepping up to cope with the extra pressures that hot weather brings.

“Extreme heat can be dangerous, so staying aware of warnings and alerts in place can make a real difference.”

Commissioner says a “lack of consideration for neighbours” could “give rise to potential for unacceptable noise and disturbance as a direct consequence of the short-term let use.”

A Belfast city centre dwelling house has been caught out acting as a short-term let without planning permission.

An appeal by Mr Peter Tobin, regarding a property at 20 Brown Street, in the Millfield area of central Belfast, against an enforcement notice by Belfast City Council for the unauthorised change of use from dwelling house to short-term let accommodation, has failed, and the council decision upheld at the Planning Appeals Commission.

Commissioner Carrie McDonagh upheld the enforcement in an August session of the committee. The enforcement notice requires that the use as short-term let permanently cease within two months of the date that the notice takes effect. The landlord asked for three months “to honour existing bookings” but Commissioner McDonagh said two months was “a reasonable timeframe.”

READ MORE: Has the Fleadh become the tipping point for more pedestrianisation in Belfast city centre?

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Short-term let accommodation refers to renting out a property or room for a short period, from one night to a few weeks or months, rather than for a permanent residence. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo list these types of rentals, which offer visitors more choice and a different experience from traditional hotels.

An array of Belfast councillors from a variety of political parties have warned that communities all over the city could soon face a housing crisis caused by short-term lets, similar to the crisis caused by HMOs in areas such as the Holylands.

In the appeal decision document for 20 Brown Street, Commissioner Carrie McDonagh states the subject property was certified as a self-catering accommodation from April 24 2023 by Tourism NI, and adds there was no dispute that the property was in use as a short-term let at the time the notice was issued. Thus, she said,the alleged use had occurred.

The landlord, known as the appellant in the hearing, argued that the periodic occupation of the dwelling by guests meant that it continued to operate like a single household. Mr Tobin argued its use for short stay letting did not change its character because the use did not adversely impact local residents. Accordingly, he argued, there was no breach of planning control.

Commissioner McDonagh wrote: “In terms of the pattern of arrivals and departures, with associated traffic movement, the council argued that the pattern of use described, in particular the focus on weekends and summer, would be clearly holiday based. They go on to argue that the pattern of use would be mostly transient, which points towards commercial type activity rather than a more settled domestic use.

“The appellant argues the arrivals and departures are unremarkable and akin to the daily comings and goings at any domestic residence, and even if the turnover is more frequent, that is not indicative of a material change in the overall character of the use. To support his proposition, he provided examples whereby larger families or residents with careers such as child minding or dog sitting would generate more trips, as would domiciliary visits by carers or other service providers.”

She concluded: “I consider the short-term let accomodation represents a transient tourism use mainly geared towards a continuous stream of short-stay visitors. In the evidential context, I am satisfied that such usage is materially different from that typically associated with a residential dwelling.

“That is mainly because the pattern of arrival and departures, including the footfall and cleaning regime would be more intensive, there is the occupation by non-family/household groups with frequent party-type activities potentially arising. Moreover, the associated lack of consideration for neighbours, combined with the close proximity and position of the outdoor space in context of other dwellings, gives rise to potential for unacceptable noise and disturbance as a direct consequence of the short-term let use.”

She added: “It follows that this material change of use constitutes development for which planning permission is necessary. The absence of this requisite permission constitutes a breach of planning control.”

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Tearful staff gave an update on when the popular seaside café may reopen

Popular Swansea café, Verdi’s has given a sad update following a fire that “absolutely devastated” the venue in July. The family-run business has been closed since the incident that occurred on July 29 with the Hole family updating beloved customers on the future of the much-loved café.

In an emotional video to the “friends” of the cafe, long-standing employee Guiseppe revelled despite the team’s hope in opening back up as soon as possible, Verdi’s may be closed until Easter 2027.

A tearful Guiseppe said: “It’s about time that I let you know what happened and the future of the Verdi’s. Last Thursday we had a phone call at 3 o’clock in the morning and we’ve been called down because Verdi’s caught on fire.

“It’s going to be hard to see (Verdi’s open) before the end of the year, maybe even Easter. We hope that as soon as possible it is opened. Hopefully in 2027 we will make it better than before.”

Once owned by the Moruzzi family for generations, has many loyal customers for its ice cream, coffees, and authentic Italian food, with stunning views of Swansea Bay that have been “heartbroken” by the fire. The café was taken over by the Hole family, a local family who run a number of restaurants in Swansea, in 2023.

The cause of the fire that broke out in the early hours of the morning is not yet known. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here

An updated message from the team working at Verdi’s read: “A message to you, our customers. Last Thursday, the unimaginable happened to our venue. A fire happened in the middle of the night.

“We are devastated and heartbroken. But we are determined to move forward. Verdi’s is so much more than a building, it’s a part of this community, a family unit, a place to call home.

“What happens next is uncertain. It’s a long journey ahead. But what we can promise, is that we will be back. And we will come back stronger. Over the next few weeks and months, we will take you with us, as we rebuild, and regrow what we’ve lost.

“From Guiseppe, Jon and the team, thank you for your continued support.”

A road in Torfaen may remain closed into the weekend as police continue to probe a suspected murder in the area, a council spokesperson has said.

Hospital Road in Pontnewynydd will be closed “until at least Friday” as a police investigation into the death of Anthony “Tony” Jones, 56, continues. Mr Jones, from Brecon, died from injuries sustained in a violent incident on Thursday, August 6.

Gwent Police received a report of violent disorder involving a group of men in Mill Street, at around 7pm. Mr Jones was sent to hospital with life-threatening injuries alongside two other men as a result of the alleged street brawl.

Ten men, aged 31, 33, 34, 39, 40, 40, 45, 59, 61 and 73, have been arrested in connection with the disorder. Three men – aged 39, 45 and 61 – have been released on bail. The other seven men remain in police custody. Read on

James McHugh, 62, was killed in Monday’s road traffic collision in Cavan, while his wife Noreen, aged in her 60s, has now also died of her injuries

The wife of Donegal All-Ireland winner James McHugh, who tragically lost his life in a road traffic collision on Monday, has also passed away.

Noreen, who was in her 60s, was airlifted to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin with serious injuries following the crash in Cavan on Monday, but sadly succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday.

The collision occurred on the N3 at Drummallaght, between Virginia and Cavan, shortly before 2pm on Monday (August 10).

James, 62, who claimed All-Ireland glory with Donegal in 1992, was driving a car that collided with a van. He was pronounced dead at the scene, with his remains taken to Cavan General Hospital.

McHugh made his senior debut for Donegal in 1990 against Cavan, the same year the county claimed the Ulster title following a victory over Armagh. Two years on, he was a key member of the historic Donegal All-Ireland winning side of 1992, alongside his brother Martin, reports the Irish Mirror.

The talented forward also earned an All-Star award that same year, while enjoying considerable club success with Cill Chartha, winning the championship in 1985, 1989 and 1993.

In a statement released on Tuesday evening, Gardaí confirmed: “Gardaí in Bailieborough investigating the fatal road traffic collision that occurred on the N3 at Drummallaght, between Virginia and Cavan, Co. Cavan, shortly before 2pm on Monday 10th August 2026 have confirmed a second person has passed away.

“The collision involved a car and a van.

“The male driver of the car, aged in his 60s, was fatally injured in the collision. His female passenger, also aged in her 60s, was seriously injured and was airlifted to Beaumont Hospital for treatment but passed away this evening Tuesday 11th August, 2026.

“Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this collision or who was travelling on the N3 between Virginia and Cavan, particularly between 1pm and 2pm to come forward.

“Gardaí are appealing to any motorists who may have dashcam or other camera footage of the area during this time to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Bailieboro Garda Station on 042 969 4570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”

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Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant announced a show first during Tuesday’s episode which left contestants gobsmacked

The Great British Sewing Bee sewing room was turned on its head as the remaining contestants were told they would have to put their fate in someone else’s hands.

The pressure was already mounting for the eight sewers still competing in this year’s series. But Tuesday (August 11) night’s episode brought an unexpected twist when judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young revealed that, for one challenge, the contestants would no longer be working alone.

Instead, they were randomly paired up and given the tricky task of turning windsurfing sails into matching two-piece outfits.

The unusual challenge formed part of Sports Week, with the contestants having to demonstrate creativity, technical skill and, crucially, the ability to work with another sewer under intense time pressure.

As the Transformation Challenge got underway, presenter Sophie Fletcher introduced the task before turning to Patrick for the details.

Patrick told the contestants: “We’ve given you wind surfer sails. We want you to transform these into a two-piece outfit but for the first time in the sewing room, you will be working and being judged in pairs.”

The announcement prompted a series of shocked reactions from the contestants, who had expected to be judged on their individual work.

And there was another surprise waiting for them. Patrick explained that the pairs would be selected at random, meaning nobody had the opportunity to choose the person they would be relying on to help them through the challenge.

The contestants were split into four teams, with Adele paired with Tim, Emma working with Heather, Beth teamed up with Minnie and Rebecca partnered with Anna.

The challenge was about much more than simply producing two good garments.

Esme told the sewers they needed to create a “cohesive outfit”, stressing the importance of working together to ensure their individual designs looked like part of the same overall look.

That proved particularly challenging because of the material they had been handed. Windsurfing sails are designed to withstand demanding conditions rather than being turned into fashionable clothing, leaving the contestants with the difficult job of cutting, shaping and manipulating the specialist fabric.

With the clock ticking, the pairs had to find a way to combine their ideas while avoiding a clash between their designs. Ultimately, it was Rebecca and Anna who managed to impress the judges most.

The pair produced a striking crisscross trouser suit which stood out from the original sail and demonstrated the transformation the challenge demanded.

Esme was equally enthusiastic about the finished look, simply declaring: “I think it’s brilliant.”

The Great British Sewing Bee is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.