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Today β€” 23 February 2025Main stream

The chair Bob Knight threw has been found β€” and Indiana coach Mike Woodson is sitting in it exactly 40 years later

Mike Woodson’s tenure at Indiana hasn’t gone very well, but he’ll have at least one thing in common with former Hoosiers head coach Bob Knight when he leaves the program at the end of the season.

Exit poll may appear decisive - but path to coalition is not clear yet

Initial exit polls appear to confirm what we have known for weeks: that the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) have got the most votes in the federal election, with Friedrich Merz most likely to be the next chancellor.

From Ariana Grande to Emma Stone: Celebs Are Ditching Their Stage Names

23 February 2025 at 05:00
From Ariana Grande to Emma Stone Celebs Are Ditching Their Stage Names β€” and We re Here for It 075 Ariana Grande Emma Stone
Ariana Grande, Emma Stone. Getty Images (2)

What’s in a name? Apparently a lot for these Hollywood stars, who’ve been bidding adieu to their famous monikers.

For as long as most can remember, stage names have been a common practice in Hollywood. Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm) changed her moniker to appear more theatrical. Elton John (a.k.a. Reginald Kenneth Dwight) ditched his legal name in his 20s in hopes of standing out from the crowd. Katy Perry tweaked her surname (Katheryn Hudson) to avoid being confused with actress Kate Hudson. Even Reese Witherspoon opted to drop her first name, Laura Jeanne, in favor of her mother’s maiden name before she broke onto the scene.

But lately, we’ve seen a rise in mega-successful stars ditching the names that made them famous. On January 31, The Weeknd (a.k.a. Abel Tesfaye) released his album Hurry Up Tomorrow, which marked the end of his After Hours trilogy β€” and his pseudonym. β€œIt’s a headspace I’ve gotta get into that I just don’t have any more desire for,” Tesfaye told Variety of ditching The Weeknd persona. β€œIt becomes this rat race: more accolades, more success, more shows, more albums, more awards and more No. 1s. It never ends until you end it.”

In November 2024, Ariana Grande made headlines when her name appeared different in the credits of her Oscar-nominated film, Wicked: Ariana Grande-Butera. β€œYou know, that was my name when I went to see the show when I was 10 years old,” she explained in February 2025 of her decision to go by her birth name to The Hollywood Reporter. β€œIt felt like a really lovely way of honoring that.”

From Ariana Grande to Emma Stone Celebs Are Ditching Their Stage Names β€” and We re Here for It 074 The Weeknd
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Live Nation

According to Gail Saltz, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, a star’s decision to change their name can have deep meaning. β€œ[It can] harken back to the time they had all these dreams and desires to be who they [later] became,” Saltz told Us Weekly, adding that β€œin this age of a lot of misinformation, there’s a desire for truth for many. Hence, I think some celebrities, particularly already having made it, want to be their true selves and recoup their birth name.”

Celebrities' Real Names: Emma Stone, Jonah Hill and More

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That seems to ring true with Emma Stone. While attending the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Stone β€” who began going by Emma (a nod to her fave Spice Girl!) early on in her career because there was already an β€œEmily Stone” in SAG-AFTRA β€” thanked a reporter who referred to her by her legal name, later explaining that she prefers to be called that. β€œI freaked out a couple of years ago. For some reason, I was like, β€˜I can’t do it anymore. Just call me Emily,’” she recalled. β€œI would like to be Emily. … That would be so nice.”

Michael Keaton feels similarly. In the ’70s, Keaton was forced to choose his now-famous last name because his actual surname, Douglas, was taken by the Michael Douglas we all know and love. (β€œI was looking through β€” I can’t remember if it was a phone book… And I went, β€˜Oh, that sounds reasonable,’” Keaton recently recalled of choosing his stage name.) However, in September, Keaton announced that he plans to start using a hybrid version of his legal name β€” Michael Keaton Douglas β€” on future projects.

From Ariana Grande to Emma Stone Celebs Are Ditching Their Stage Names β€” and We re Here for It 071 Michael Keaton
Eric Charbonneau/Ketchup Entertainment via Getty Images

Is this name game just a passing trend, or is it here to stay? Laura Burkemper, brand-building expert and CEO of Scaleblazer, believes this is just the beginning. β€œIn an era of social media and greater accessibility, the need for manufactured identities has diminished,” she told Us. β€œCelebrities are increasingly using their real names to honor their roots, simplify their legacy and reflect modern values of transparency.”

Michael Keaton to Start Using His Real Last Name β€” Douglas

Of course, we’ll always be fans of stars with (sometimes kooky!) stage names β€” how can you not love Lady Gaga and Vin Diesel? But in a time where the world is becoming more authentic, there is something refreshing about being simply yourself β€” and we’re totally here for it.

Steph Curry's wife dishes on parenting their 4 kids: 'Our relationship always comes first'

23 February 2025 at 11:06

Ayesha Curry stressed the importance of maintaining her relationship with her husband, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, in an interview published on Thursday.

Steph and Ayesha Curry were married in 2011 and have four children together. Ayesha talked about how they are as parents in an interview with People magazine.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"I think for us, our relationship always comes first. Then we're parents," she said. "And that works for us because then you have two happy people raising the kids in the house. So the family sector in our lives always comes first.

"And then honestly, it's just surrounding ourselves with people that are smarter than us and know what they're doing and can make the things run. And they allow us the space to be creative and they allow us the space to truly show up however we choose to. And I think that's what's really worked for us."

MAVERICKS LEGEND DIRK NOWITZKI CALLS SEEING LUKA DONCIC PLAY FOR LAKERS 'WEIRD'

Steph and Ayesha met when they were young teenagers but did not start dating until a few years later. The two welcomed their fourth child last May.

Ayesha Curry was still on hand rooting for the NBA star as he helped Team USA capture a gold medal over France at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Recently, Ayesha Curry had to shut down one of her Sweet July brick and mortar shops in Oakland, California, over safety concerns.

Follow Fox News Digital’sΒ sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Trump envoy Witkoff seeking 'extension' of Phase 1 of Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, to head back to Middle East

23 February 2025 at 10:53

President Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said Sunday that he would aim to negotiate an "extension" of Phase One of the Israel-Hamas hostage release and ceasefire deal when he returns to the region this week.Β 

"We have to get an extension of Phase One. And, so I'll be going into the region this week, probably Wednesday, to negotiate that," Witkoff said during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union." "And we're hoping you have the proper time to finish off to begin Phase Two and finish it off and get more hostages released. And move this – move the discussion forward."Β 

Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close confidante of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reportedly met with Witkoff in Washington, D.C., last week.Β 

In regard to the meeting, CNN's Jake Tapper asked Witkoff if he believes Netanyahu "wants to move forward with the ceasefire, or does he want to resume the war to try to eliminate Hamas?"

ISRAEL DELAYS PALESTINIAN PRISONER RELEASE AFTER HAMAS' 'HUMILIATING' TREATMENT OF HOSTAGES, NETANYAHU SAYSΒ 

Witkoff said he believes the prime minister "is well-motivated" and wants to see "the hostages released," as well "to protect the state of Israel."Β 

"And so he's got a red line," Witkoff said. "And he said what the red line is, and that is that Hamas cannot be involved in a governing body when this thing is resolved."Β 

"They can't be any part of governance in Gaza," the U.S. envoy said of Hamas. "And, you know, as to existing, I'd leave that – that detail to the prime minister."Β 

In another Sunday show appearance on CBS' "Face the Nation," Witkoff said he would arrive "probably Wednesday evening" in the Middle East and would visit various countries, including Qatar, Egypt, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. He added that the last remaining living American hostage, Edan Alexander, remains a top priority in negotiations.

"He's front and center for us," Witkoff said. "I know his parents. We talk all the time. He's critical. It's one of President Trump's most important objectives is to get all Americans home. And we're going to be successful in getting Edan home, I believe."Β 

REMAINS OF SHIRI BIBAS, MOM OF TWO KILLED, ALLEGEDLY RETURNED TO ISRAEL FOLLOWING HAMAS' BROKEN PROMISE

According to the May 27 protocol agreement, Witkoff explained that Phase Two involves both "a permanent ceasefire, a cessation of all violence," as well as "the fact that Hamas cannot be allowed to come back into the government" in Gaza.Β 

"And I think the way you square that circle is that Hamas has to go. They've got to leave," Witkoff said, adding, "I would say physically, that's correct." The envoy said he was not at liberty to say which countries might take in people from Gaza during ongoing negotiations, but stressed that Gaza would not be a safe living environment for another 15 to 20 years following the war and requires an extension reconstruction plan.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced Saturday night that "in light of Hamas's repeated violations, including the ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda purposes, it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists that was planned for yesterday until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies."Β 

In a video message Friday, Netanyahu condemned how Hamas "brutally murdered" two young Israeli boys, whose bodies were initially returned to Israel without the remains of their mother, Shiri Bibas. In what Netanyahu decried as a "brazen violation of their agreement," Hamas initially handed over the wrong body for Bibas, whose actual remains were later returned and identified Saturday following an intense standoff with the terrorist group.Β 

Hamas handed over another six Israelis on Saturday in the latest scheduled release of living hostages.

Border Patrol taking control of former USAID HQ

23 February 2025 at 10:45

The downtown Washington, D.C., Ronald Reagan building will undergo a dramatic shift as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) takes over the longtime headquarters of the Agency for International Development (USAID), Fox News Digital has confirmed.

"CBP has signed a license agreement to occupy approximately 390,000 usable square feet in the USAID tower," a CBP spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

The news, which was originally reported by Politico, comes after a federal judge on Friday declined to keep in place a temporary block that was preventing President Donald Trump from removing all but a small number of USAID staffers, clearing the way for the administration to continue its dramatic cuts to federal departments, according to a report from the Associated Press.

USAID WORKERS SEND MESSAGE TO TRUMP ON BOXES WHILE LEAVING OFFICE FOR LAST TIME

USAID, a decades-old foreign assistance agency, was one of the first targets for cuts by the new administration, sparking a lawsuit filed by unions representing federal workers in an attempt to block the layoffs.

The suit accused the Trump administration of stalling medical evacuations for USAID staffers and family members overseas and cutting off contractors from emergency communications while also challenging the constitutionality of the administration’s sudden cuts, which the suit argues requires congressional approval.

"At present, the agency is still standing," U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols wrote in the ruling. "And so the alleged injuries on which plaintiffs rely in seeking injunctive relief flow essentially from their members’ existing employment relationships with USAID."

'WASTEFUL AND DANGEROUS': DOGE'S TOP FIVE MOST SHOCKING REVELATIONS

With the drastic reduction in staffing and the loss of its longtime headquarters, questions remain about the future of USAID and its mission. Earlier this month, the State Department announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been appointed as acting administrator for the agency with an eye toward possible reorganization of its activities under the State Department.

"The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has long strayed from its original mission of responsibly advancing American interests abroad, and it is now abundantly clear that significant portions of USAID funding are not aligned with the core national interests of the United States," the State Department said in a statement. "As we evaluate USAID and ensure it is in alignment with an America First agenda and the efforts of the State Department, we will continue to protect the American people’s interests and ensure their tax dollars are not wasted."

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