The Kansas City Chiefs signing embattled kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad has ruffled many football feathers on social media.

Tucker, who served a 10-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy after 24 total women accused him of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior during massage sessions, signed on the Chiefs’ practice squad amid kicking woes with another field goal specialist, Harrison Butker.

Considering the Chiefs’ history with controversial players in recent seasons, OutKick’s Craig Carton believes the Tucker signing has to beg the question: Is it really win at all costs?

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"Remember what Kansas City is," Carton said. "A guy like Justin Tucker — 24 different women accused him of inappropriate sexual misconduct. 24 of them. The NFL doesn’t even like suspending its players, no matter what the crime is. And they suspended him for 10 full games. Like, at some point, let that sink in and then ask yourself the question: Is it really win at all costs? Is that really what Kansas City and the Hunt family should stand for? Is it? Apparently, it is."

Carton continued by saying the Chiefs and their owners, the Hunt family, "don’t care about their community" when they sign someone like Tucker to compete for a job.

"They don’t care about the type of person that wears the Kansas City colors. They just care about it doesn’t matter how bad a guy that guy might be," he added. "Can he help me win a football game? I know it’s naïve of me to think otherwise that any other team doesn’t do it, but Kansas City is the worst at it.

"So, yeah, celebrate Patrick Mahomes — one of the greatest players we’ve ever seen, who also appears to be a really good guy and does everything right despite knuckleheads around him like his father, like his brother. We should celebrate the Patrick Mahomes out there, and I think we do. But we shouldn’t do it without also paying attention to the bad guys in football, and ask the Kansas City Chiefs, and specifically Andy Reid, the question of: At what cost? At what cost is that Lombardi Trophy worth?"

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In January 2025, The Baltimore Banner reported 16 female massage therapists had accused Tucker of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior during sessions between 2012 and 2016 at eight different spas in the Baltimore area. Tucker was playing for the Ravens, the franchise he thrived with on the field as one of the greatest kickers of all time in the NFL.

According to the report, the accusers said they ended sessions early or refused to work with Tucker again because of the allegations. The report also stated that Tucker was banned from returning to two of those spas, a claim Tucker’s legal team denied.

The report also mentioned that five of the women accusing Tucker claimed he was erect during sessions with him and that he fully or partially exposed himself, while others made other accusations of egregious acts.

Then, on Feb. 16, 2025, the same outlet reported seven more women came forward with allegations similar to the previous about the NFL player. The second wave of allegations accused Tucker of "acting inappropriately" at some of the best luxury spas in Baltimore, including the spas at the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton Residences in the city.

Tucker denied all accusations in a statement to OutKick last year.

"I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session, nor have I ever been told I am unwelcome at any massage therapy provider," he said. "These claims are simply not true."

He added at the time that he was recounting 13 years of experiences with bodywork professionals.

"I can assure whoever is reading this that I have never intended to disrespect anyone, cross any boundary, or make anyone feel uncomfortable in any way whatsoever.

"It devastates me to know that anyone I have worked with would not have felt respected and valued as a professional, but more importantly as a person, and to anyone who has felt otherwise, I am sorry," Tucker said in his statement, the full text of which can be found below. "I want you to know I am committed to ensuring that everyone I interact with continues to feel that I respect them and care about them as a human being."

The Ravens cut ties with Tucker after 13 seasons in May 2025, saying it was a "football decision." Tucker was never criminally charged or sued civilly over the allegations, but the allegations, and subsequent NFL suspension, led some to compare him to Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. Both of their cases involved allegations from multiple female massage therapists, with Watson facing an 11-game suspension in 2022.

The Chiefs’ history with controversial players includes wide receiver Rashee Rice, who was involved in a multi-vehicle crash in Dallas in March 2024, leading to felony charges. He served jail time this offseason after violating his probation.

In the past, running back Kareem Hunt was cut by the Chiefs after surveillance video surfaced of a domestic dispute with a woman in a hotel hallway. He served an eight-game suspension in March 2019, though the Chiefs re-signed him in 2024. He spent the last two seasons with Kansas City, playing 30 games. At the time of his re-signing, head coach Andy Reid said that the running back matured, took accountability and deserved a second chance with the club.

Tyreek Hill was also a polarizing receiver who faced a 2014 domestic assault case that was dismissed and a 2019 child abuse probe, though no charges were filed.

And while it isn’t a legal situation, Butker fell into controversial waters after delivering his commencement speech at Benedictine College, where he criticized Pride Month, abortion policies and traditional career roles for women, which drew widespread media reaction and caused Reid and others to field questions about his cultural stances.

On the field, the Chiefs suffered their first loss at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 7. They still lead the AFC West with a 5-1 record, and look like a team ready to compete for the Lombardi Trophy once more.

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It’s unknown how much of a leash Reid and the Chiefs have on Butker’s starting kicker status. He is tied for the most missed field goals in the NFL this season with five.

Tucker, who turns 37 next month, had his worst statistical season of his career in 2024, making only 73.3% of his field goal attempts, which is a career-low. However, he is one of the most decorated at his position to ever play the sport, tallying five first-team nods and seven Pro Bowls. His 89.1% field goal percentage is the second-best mark of all time.

OutKick's Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

I was on vacation in Chicago this past week, and while I try to stay up to date on current events as much as I can when I'm out, that usually just equates to me watching a ton of college football and forgetting the outside world exists.

Last week was no different, and when I got back home on Monday night and started to shift back into "OutKick mode," I saw the fine dining establishment known as the Cheesecake Factory was trending on social media.

I felt pretty out of the loop, but after seeing people pick a side of the aisle to fall on in the Great Cheesecake Factory Debate as well as rank some of their other favorite sit-down restaurants, I knew it was time to throw my hat in the ring.

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If there are three things you must know about me, it's that I'm passionate about sports, music and eating at restaurants.

That might come as a shock to anyone who has seen me in person, considering I'm about 160lbs soaking wet and looked like an emaciated child until I was 25 years old, but I am a chain restaurant connoisseur of sorts.

With all the commotion surrounding the Cheesecake Factory, and American eateries as a whole, I thought now would be as good a time as any to share my Mount Rushmore of fast-casual sit-down restaurants.

AMERICA'S FAVORITE FAST-FOOD CHAIN NAMED: MCDONALD'S WINS HEARTS BUT NOT BEST BURGER, SURVEY SAYS

This isn't just some slapped together list either (shout out to "Rolling Stone"), as this topic is something that I'm constantly revisiting and reevaluating.

This Mount Rushmore represents a good mix of four different kinds of food and dining experiences, with different menus, atmospheres, and themes.

With all the preamble out of the way, let's begin.

Olive Garden

We start this list off with a bang, and a somewhat controversial one at that.

I'm not sure why Olive Garden has this reputation as a classless knockoff (my dad calls it the McDonald's of Italian food), but I would never slander a place that offers endless breadsticks and pasta.

The soups are incredible, the variety of pastas is awesome, and the entrées are varied and filling.

BELOVED RESTAURANT CHAIN DWINDLES FROM 850 LOCATIONS TO 87, BUT EXPERT SEES 'A LOT OF LIFE LEFT'

The vibes are immaculate too, giving me a classy place to "sample The Boot."

My go-to choice is the chicken parm (duh), but I've never had a bad meal at Olive Garden and I don't plan on it anytime soon.

Texas Roadhouse

If you're looking for good old American fare at solid prices, look no further than Texas Roadhouse.

Their steaks are some of the best you can get at their price point, and the ability to smother them in sautéed onions and mushrooms is underrated.

Texas Roadhouse isn't just a one-trick pony, though, as their appetizers — the cheese fries in particular — are immaculate, and their chili is some of the best in the biz.

I know what you all are here for, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention the bread rolls, which would probably merit placement on this list by themselves.

They really lean into their Texas themes here, too, and if you've ever had a birthday at Roadhouse, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Can I get a "yeehaw?"

Chuy's

Maybe it's just because I lived in Dallas for six years, but TexMex is supremely underrated and should be more of a national delicacy.

Luckily, Chuy's is a national TexMex chain that is worthy of both Lone Star State natives and outsiders alike.

Their signature sauces go with just about any of their entrées, and although I'm not a big drinker, I have to say that their frozen margarita machines are worth the price of admission alone.

Whether you're into spice or just some good old-fashioned, hearty fare from the southwest, Chuy's has you covered.

The biggest selling point, to me though, is the creamy jalapeño ranch dip they give you with your chips and salsa.

Every great sit-down restaurant has a "gimmick," and this one is undeniably delicious.

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It's the perfect blend of creamy ranch and spice that will have you filling up on chips before your meal even comes out.

Chili's

For my money, there is no greater fast-casual sit-down establishment in this great country than Chili's.

The menu is insanely diverse. You can get seafood alfredo, steak, southwestern salad and traditional American fare all on a single page.

CHILI'S GOES VIRAL AFTER ROASTING FAST-FOOD PRICES: 'WHY LET THEM PLAY YOU LIKE THIS?'

Their lunch deals are also second to none, with the Three-For-Me and Three-For-$10 being go-to's for yours truly.

There is nothing better than sitting in the Chili's bar on a college football Saturday afternoon, ordering some chips and salsa and an ice-cold Coke and just soaking in the ambience.

My personal favorite has to be the Chipotle Fresh Mex Bowl, but I've been known to get a classic sirloin, the Margarita Grilled Chicken, or even the boneless wings, which are incredible even though I'm normally a traditionalist when it comes to wings.

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I could write an entire book on my love for Chili's, but this has gone on long enough and my mouth is starting to water, so if you'll excuse me, I think I hear a Triple Dipper calling my name.

Actor Mandy Patinkin has posted several videos on social media, including one on Friday, urging Jewish voters to support Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed if they're concerned about their "safety" in the country.

"Jewish safety depends on a real multiracial democracy, and Abdul is the one fighting to protect it," the "Homeland" and "The Princess Bride" actor said in one such video.

Patinkin, who is also Jewish, said that El-Sayed's Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, was pushing a political movement attacking the "rights and dignity of certain people" and argued that El-Sayed was the only candidate fighting for democracy.

"Jewish safety is tied to the health of our democracy," Patinkin said. "We can’t protect one without protecting the other. And in this Senate race, Abdul is the candidate who understands that and is willing to fight for it." 

ABDUL EL-SAYED HITS BACK AT ISRAEL QUESTIONS, SUGGESTS HIS NAME AND FAITH ARE BEHIND PRESS SCRUTINY

Patinkin continued to voice his support for El-Sayed in another video posted on Sunday, in which he called out efforts to make people "afraid" of the Democratic candidate because of his name and Muslim background, suggesting the criticism was similar to how Jewish people have been treated because of their identity.

"It’s hard for me to hear Muslims and Arabs talked about this way without thinking about our own Jewish history," Patinkin said. "We know what it’s like to have people treat your identity as a reason to distrust you, to make you seem threatening just because of who you are. I’m not telling anyone what they have to believe about Abdul. I’m asking people to recognize that this kind of talk should sound familiar to Jews." 

"Who is going to protect the democracy that has helped keep Jews safe in America? Abdul," he added. "Who is going to stand up for the rights of all of us? Abdul. Because I believe protecting our community means protecting the democracy we all depend on. Please vote for Abdul El-Sayed and get him in the Senate seat."

Fox News Digital reached out to the El-Sayed and Rogers campaigns for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

ABDUL EL-SAYED INVOKES JFK TO DISMISS 'CRAZY' QUESTIONS OVER FAMILY'S ALLEGED TIES TO MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD

Rabbi Yaakov Menken, managing director of the Coalition for Jewish Values, criticized Patinkin's "lack of actual knowledge" about whether El-Sayed would support Jewish safety.

"Few candidates have expressed disdain for Jewish safety more than Abdul El-Sayed, who attempted to explain away a terror attack on Jewish preschoolers due to a war on terror 6,000 miles away, and who called the rescue of Jewish hostages from torture, rape, and murder, ‘genocide,’" Menken told Fox News Digital. 

El-Sayed caused controversy in March when he responded to an attack on a Michigan synagogue by saying "Hurt people, hurt people." Federal investigators say a gunman inspired and radicalized by Hezbollah crashed into the place of worship seeking to kill as many Jewish people as he could. The alleged attacker was a Lebanese-born man who a week earlier had lost relatives in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon.

El-Sayed later apologized for his comments about the attack. 

Menken said the Democratic candidate "refused to endorse the right of Jews to their own identity, opinions, and self-governance, and campaigned alongside Hasan Piker until other Democrats prevailed upon him to stop. And, of course, when confronted about family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and its genocidal antisemitism, El-Sayed has called it an attack on his religion." 

"To call Patinkin deluded and naive would be the height of understatement," the rabbi added. "El-Sayed's values are not those that made America a great and welcoming country."

JEWISH MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS ADMIT THEY WILL VOTE REPUBLICAN IF ABDUL EL-SAYED BECOMES NOMINEE

Patinkin previously supported New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's 2025 campaign, celebrating the first night of Hanukkah with the democratic socialist after he was elected. 

Throughout his campaign and since taking office, Mamdani has faced accusations of antisemitism.

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Fox News' Paul Steinhauser and Peter D'Abrosca contributed to this report. 

Whenever your name is mentioned in the same breath as Babe Ruth's, you know you're in rarefied air.

Milwaukee Brewers star Jackson Chourio and the Sultan of Swat are tied for the most hits through the first four games of a World Series with 10 apiece. Ruth accomplished the feat in the 1928 World Series, when the New York Yankees swept the St. Louis Cardinals.

Unfortunately for Chourio, the Brewers were unable to complete the sweep in Game 4 Tuesday night, as the Rays rallied in the 12th inning to win 4-3 at Tropicana Field and force Game 5.

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The 22-year-old has been red-hot, going 10-for-20 in the Fall Classic. In Game 3, Chourio became the youngest player to record four hits in a World Series game since Joe Garagiola accomplished the feat in 1946.

The Brewers’ left fielder is batting .291 with two home runs and nine RBI in 12 postseason games, building on the best regular season of his career. In 127 games this season, Chourio batted .291 with 25 home runs, 75 RBI and 23 stolen bases.

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With his stellar postseason performance, Chourio has emerged as a strong World Series MVP candidate alongside catcher William Contreras and reliever Aaron Ashby.

The Brewers will look to bounce back from their extra-inning loss in Game 4 and secure their first World Series championship in franchise history with a Game 5 victory. The Brewers are starting the presumptive National League Cy Young winner in Jacob Misiorwski, but the Rays’ pitching plans are unclear.

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The scheduled Game 5 starter, Nick Martinez, pitched two innings in relief for Tampa Bay on Tuesday. The Rays could turn to Drew Rasmussen, but they may be cautious with his workload because he has undergone three elbow surgeries.

Game 5 is scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday on FOX.

Legendary "Inside the NBA" host Ernie Johnson announced Wednesday on X that he will step away from the show after the 2026-27 NBA season.

Johnson, 70, revealed in the video that he has dealt with heart issues and underwent bypass surgery 14 months ago. He said he wants to slow down and spend more time with his wife and five grandchildren.

"I've been hosting 'Inside the NBA’ for a long time. This is my 37th year, and I've long described it as a get-to job. Still amazed that I get to do this for a living. Now, as the years have gone by and I turned 70 this past summer, folks have asked me, 'So, how long are you going to keep doing Inside?' Well, I want to take a couple of minutes of your time to answer that. This will be my last season. Totally my decision. It's just time," Johnson said in his video.

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Johnson clarified that he is not retiring from broadcasting entirely, only from "Inside the NBA." The broadcaster said he recently launched a production company, 32 Bow Ties, and plans to continue working on March Madness coverage and other projects for TNT and CBS .

"So why now? Total honesty here. I've always prided myself on my preparation, the hours I put in every day getting ready for the next show. I've always loved that part of my job, but I've always vowed that if that ever became more of a challenge than it is a joy, then I'll know it's time to step away. And now after 37 seasons, it's time," Johnson said.

He cited his heart issues and his desire to spend time with family as a contributing factor in his decision.

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"This isn't a case where my doctor said, ‘You need to stop working.’ It's nothing like that. But here's the deal. Going through that has made me treasure even more every second with my amazing wife of 44 years, Cheryl, and being Poppy to our five grandchildren. So, I just want to slow down a bit, spend more time I'm enjoying that," Johnson said.

He said it has been an honor to work for decades alongside Shaquille O’Neal (who joined the show in 2011), Charles Barkley (2000) and Kenny Smith (1998). Johnson joined "Inside the NBA" in 1990, one year after its creation.

Johnson is not the only "Inside the NBA" personality planning to retire after the 2026-27 season. Barkley announced last month that the season would be his last.

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"I've just started a new production company called 32 Bow Ties, geared toward telling feel-good stories in sports. So, this is by no means the end. It's just a turning of the page. And I'll forever cherish every chapter we have written with inside the NBA," Johnson said.

"And lastly, I just want to say thanks to you. Thanks for your loyalty, for your love, for your support, and on this day for your understanding. We'll see you on TV tonight."

A woman wearing a burka was escorted out of a Florida county commissioners meeting on Tuesday after playing a recording of the Islamic call to prayer during the public comment period where residents spoke against the potential expansion of a local mosque amid concerns from some over its wording on zoning and agenda materials.

The incident occurred as the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners was listening to residents address the board. A woman covered head-to-toe in black, with only her left eye visible, and approached the podium. Rather than making a verbal statement, she activated a recording of the call to prayer.

It was not immediately clear whether the gesture was a protest or a prank.

PASTOR UNLEASHES ON DEARBORN AS RELIGIOUS TENSIONS ERUPT AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING: 'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH'

The audio played for nearly a minute before Board Chairman Dave Eggers interrupted, pointing out that county rules require public speakers to deliver verbal comments rather than play recordings.

"Ma’am, you’re going to have to stop … stop the music, stop the tape," Eggers said.

TEXAS POLICE ADMIT OFFICER MADE INACCURATE FIRST AMENDMENT REMARKS AFTER PREACHER CITED AT PRIDE EVENT

When the woman refused to comply, a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputy approached the podium and escorted her out of the meeting room and the building.

Her removal sparked immediate friction in the room, with several audience members shouting and arguing with Eggers over the decision.

"Please. Just please exercise some decorum and kindness of your own," Eggers told the audience. "We’re all people living together here."

He further clarified the board’s rules to the crowd.

"We don’t allow taped things," he said. "You can record the meeting, but we don’t allow taped activity like that. We ask you to come here and make comments, and that was not a comment. That’s why she was asked to step out."

The incident came during a public period where multiple residents decried an Oct. 13 vote in which the board voted 4-3 to approve a land-use amendment for the expansion of the Masjid Al Rahman mosque, which was referred to in presentations and documents as a "community assembly facility."

LAWSUIT ACCUSES DEARBORN, MICHIGAN, OF BEING 'HOSTILE TO CHRISTIANS AND JEWS' WITH ISLAMIC DISPLAYS

The vote changed the property's land use from residential rural to public and semi-public, which would allow the facility's owner to replace the building with a newer structure 1,000 feet larger. 

During Tuesday's meeting, public speakers spoke out against the facility, some citing the treatment of women in Muslim-majority countries.

"It is about the big picture and the long term," one woman told the commission. "By allowing this mosque to expand in our area, you are participating in the expansion of a totalitarian ideology which is fundamentally opposed to Western American values. Expansion of the ideology of Islam is not good for women's rights."

Another woman supported the mosque: "They want to turn it to face Mecca, and they want it to look a little more like a mosque instead of a house," she said. "We have no problems with them. We've been their neighbors for many years."

Commissioner Vince Nowicki reportedly questioned why the mosque wasn't described in plain language in government documents. 

"Residents read these materials to understand what is being proposed near them, and they should get the same plain description in every case, no matter the applicant," Nowicki wrote in an email to County Administrator Barry Burton, Florida Politics reported. 

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The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the woman was escorted from the premises without further incident and will not face any criminal charges.

Game 5 of the World Series could very well be the last baseball game for the foreseeable future.

The league's current collective bargaining agreement with the players expires on Dec. 1, and the players and owners appear as far apart as they ever have been.

Assuming there is no deal, the owners are expected to lock out the players, as was the case five years ago which led to the season being delayed by one week.

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Despite the apparently harsh circumstances at the moment, New York Yankees president Randy Levine is actually "confident" things will all work out.

"It's very, very early... They want to reach an agreement. It's always this way in every labor negotiation I've done. It's always posturing at this point in time, getting your position out," Levine said on "The Craig Carton Show."

"We have until December. I think they're really going to work hard, and I'm very hopeful they'll reach an agreement. I've seen circumstances where it looked harder than even this, and this one looks hard, but at the end of the day, I'm confident everyone wants to get a deal."

"The whole playoffs have been great, the whole season has been great. Baseball is regaining popularity, it's the national pastime, so we gotta work hard to just preserve it," Levine added.

Levine's boss, Hal Steinbrenner, said last week he "support[s]" the owners' proposals — all of which include a cap.

"I've said before — let me put it this way, as a member of the labor policy committee — I helped craft, one of many, the proposals that we have given at the bargaining table. And I support those proposals in their entirety. That's absolutely the case, so that should answer your question," Steinbrenner told reporters.

The Yankees' $336 million payroll was the third-largest in baseball during the 2026 season, behind the Los Angeles Dodgers ($422 million) and New York Mets ($338 million).

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Arguments skew both ways, but a constant has remained in that the highest payrolls continue to go up, while the lowest payrolls remain at a stall. The Marlins' payroll is actually roughly half of what it used to be in 2017, despite a sale of the team and everyone in the league making more money than ever. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have already committed more money in 2030 than 12 teams have this season.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has said that owners are simply "listening to our fans" regarding a salary cap and said it "defies human experience... to think that the bottom end of that [payroll] gap has the same opportunity to win the top end." It should be noted, though, that the National League-winning Milwaukee Brewers swept the Dodgers with the 11th-smallest payroll, and they are facing the Tampa Bay Rays, who have the league's third-smallest payroll. They defeated the Cleveland Guardians, who rank 29th in payroll, in the American League Division Series.

Major League Baseball has never had a salary cap.

"Salary cap is the ultimate excuse not to compete. It's the ultimate excuse for an owner to say, 'Gee, I would like to make the team better, but you know I can’t,'" interim MLBPA executive director Bruce Meyer said during the All-Star break. "Salary caps are bad for fans. Salary caps prevent teams from doing the things that they believe are in their interest to make the team better."

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"Every team in baseball can afford to compete, many are choosing not to," Meyer added. "To me, that's the biggest problem right now."

EXCLUSIVE: Two Republican members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing concern over the state of NATO ally Albania’s democratic backsliding, urging the department to use its visa restriction authority against Albanian officials complicit in significant corruption.

"We write to express concern about the state of democracy and the rule of law in the Republic of Albania, a NATO ally and candidate for European Union membership. The United States has invested heavily in Albania's justice reforms and has a strong interest in their success. Recent events suggest that progress is fragile and, in key areas, at risk of reversal," the letter to Secretary Rubio said.

Specifically, the letter urges Secretary Rubio to use the State Department's authority under Section 7031(c) of the annual Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act to publicly designate Albanian officials and their immediate family members, if necessary, if credible information of involvement in significant corruption exists.

SERBIA’S LONGTIME LEADER FACES BIGGEST POLITICAL TEST AS STUDENTS MOUNT ELECTION CHALLENGE

The letter, written by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and his Republican colleague, House Europe Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, requested the administration answer four key questions by Nov. 5.

In addition to asking the state department to commit to reviewing Albanian officials for designation under its visa restriction authority, the members of congress inquired about what assistance is being provided to Albania's broader justice reform efforts and whether the U.S. Embassy in Tirana is working with local officials to protect protesters and journalists.

The Republican representatives are also requesting an update on former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who was charged with interfering in public procurement for road construction. Prosecutors asked parliament in December 2025 to lift her immunity so she could be arrested, but Prime Minister Edi Rama called the request unconstitutional, and parliament has not allowed the arrest to proceed.

The members of congress say that Albania's anti-corruption institutions cannot succeed in rooting out corruption when political leaders shield the officials they investigate.

US LAWMAKERS SOUND ALARM AS VIOLENCE GRIPS NATO ALLY ALBANIA AMID ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS

Like fellow protesters in France and across Europe, tens of thousands have protested amid allegations of government corruption, inadequate education, unemployment and a lack of opportunity. The growing nationwide protest movement is driven by students and citizens also demanding accountability, an end to corruption and what they say is the restoration of democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Demonstrations broke out in the capital, Tirana, two weeks ago, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The protests quickly turned violent as demonstrators lobbed Molotov cocktails at the Education Ministry and clashed with police.

Protesters also took aim at Rama’s Socialist Party headquarters in Tirana, squaring off with riot police who had been dispatched to protect government property.

Rama blamed "foreign hands who do not want Albania in the European Union and who promote the masks that claim to represent students, but who in fact, more than students, represent organized crime itself."

So far, the prime minister has refused to resign but has proposed entering into dialogue with the protesters.

FRANCE ROCKED BY STUDENT RIOTS AS HUNDREDS ARRESTED, VIOLENCE SPREADS NATIONWIDE

The violence taking place across Albania is a worrying sign for a country struggling to maintain its democracy and continue the path to EU accession.

"Congress is deeply concerned about the situation in Albania as the government uses excessive force against citizens who are demanding accountability and clean institutions. Corruption and narcotrafficking associated with the Rama government must be countered," Rep. Wilson told Fox News Digital in a statement.

The turmoil in Albania comes as the country has long sought European Union membership, which began in 2014 when it became an official candidate for accession. While the 2025 annual European Commission report stated that Albania made significant strides in judicial reforms and combating organized crime, the continued allegations of corruption in the Rama government and the current violence taking place will complicate its path to EU membership.

The student protests in Albania mirror the mass protests that took place in neighboring Serbia, where a student-led political movement toppled longtime leader Aleksandar Vučić.

"Vucic’s defeat by a student-backed movement, following nearly two years of demonstrations over corruption and government accountability, is a striking parallel with the unrest now confronting Rama in Albania, where protests have been ongoing for over 150 days," Agim Nesho, former Albanian ambassador to the U.N. and U.S., told Fox News.

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"In Albania, students and other citizens have been demonstrating since May, with the latest wave of daily protests intensifying demands for the resignation of a prime minister who has governed for more than 13 years with rampant corruption and declining public services," Nesho added.

Several Americans are believed to have been injured in a high-speed train collision that killed at least 68 people in Spain on Wednesday when one train collided with another that had stopped on the tracks.

The crash took place in Spain's Castilla-La Mancha, with the regional government confirming the death toll and adding that another 58 people required medical treatment in hospitals. Several Americans are believed to have been hurt in the crash, according to the State Department.

Rescue workers continue to search in the wreckage for survivors and bodies, with witnesses describing a gruesome scene.

Wednesday's incident is the second high-speed rail crash Spain has suffered this year.

Spain’s rail system operator ADIF said the crash occurred Wednesday morning in the province of Toledo. Both trains were carrying hundreds of passengers, and were headed in the same direction on a route from Madrid to Seville.

CRASH INVOLVING SPEEDING TRAIN, MINIBUS IN BELGIUM LEAVES 4 DEAD INCLUDING 2 CHILDREN

One train, run by the state-owned RENFE company, ran into the tail of the other train owned by private company IRYO that had stopped, knocking two of its cars off the track. Those companies were the same ones involved in January's crash.

Esther Padilla, a spokesperson for the Castilla-La Mancha regional government, said 397 passengers were on the RENFE train and 147 passengers on the IRYO train.

Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente attributed the deadly train collision to what he described as an "inexplicable" decision by the country's central rail control center to allow a train to resume traveling after a safety system malfunctioned.

Puente said the train's engineers were not responsible for the collision.

According to Puente, a computer malfunction caused a safety system covering roughly 39 miles of track to stop working around 8:30 a.m.

The disruption forced trains in the affected area to stop, but the central control center subsequently authorized the RENFE train to resume traveling without speed restrictions, he said.

Just over 20 minutes later, the RENFE train collided with the stopped IRYO train.

Puente said the RENFE train should never have been cleared to resume traveling while a stop signal remained active on the line. At a minimum, he said, the train should have been instructed to proceed at a reduced speed.

Officials are still working to determine the train's speed at the time of the collision, but Puente said it may have been traveling at approximately 124 mph.

BYSTANDER VIDEO CAPTURES NORFOLK SOUTHERN TRAIN T-BONING SEPTIC TRUCK AT VIRGINIA RAILROAD CROSSING

David Gómez, a construction worker, was working with his brother and another colleague nearby when they heard the crash and ran to help, he told the newspaper El País.

"People were trying to get out through the windows…. We cut through some fences to access the area and treated people with the first-aid kits we had brought," until emergency services arrived, he said. "As I was trying to pull a young woman out, there was a piece of a leg."

Spanish Health Minister Mónica García said emergency workers were focusing on rescuing survivors and bodies from the two most damaged train cars. She said the injured are being sent to different hospitals in the area.

"It was a high-speed impact, so we are expecting this to be a tragedy," García said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the crash site and announced that his government would declare three days of national mourning.

"Today all of Spain is grieving," Sánchez said.

The prime minister also called for enhanced safety measures across the country's rail system following the second high-speed rail crash this year.

"It is unacceptable for a country like Spain to suffer two high-speed rail accidents in the same year," he said.

Passenger Ignacio Relaño was traveling on the RENFE train. He told state broadcaster TVE that the train had stopped momentarily on the line before it started again and then crashed into the IRYO.

"We all felt the train abruptly slowing down and then the impact," he said. "The car leaned to one side like it was about to tip over. I hit my nose, everything went flying, luggage, cellphones. Everything shook."

Another passenger recounted to Cadena Ser radio how she felt the train slam on the brakes and was thrown forward in her seat, breaking the small table in front of her. She said she saw body parts and trapped people covered in blood.

IRYO, an Italian-owned company, said in a statement that it has "activated its security protocols and is closely working with authorities."

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Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia said in a short statement on X that they were following news of the accident.

"We are deeply saddened and concerned by the train accident in Urda (Toledo)," the royal couple said. "We share in the grief of the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and we send our heartfelt support to the injured and all those affected."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The British government’s decision to embrace sweeping measures addressing antisemitism in schools is drawing a sharp contrast with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s recently unveiled strategy, raising questions about why Britain’s plan appears more specific than the one proposed in America’s most Jewish city.

The U.K. government accepted all 27 recommendations from an independent review into antisemitism in schools and colleges in England. The measures include encouraging adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism, specialized training for educators, strengthened reporting procedures and independent oversight.

Mamdani’s 33-page strategy — while not only focused on education — by comparison, does not adopt a single definition of antisemitism, explicitly address the relationship between anti-Zionism and antisemitism or establish numerical benchmarks for measuring whether its initiatives succeed.

British Jewish author and Holocaust educator Dov Forman, who recently graduated from university, said Mamdani could learn from Britain’s targeted approach to addressing antisemitism in schools.  

MAMDANI PLEDGES MILLIONS TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM WHILE LEAVING KEY QUESTION UNRESOLVED

The British review followed a BBC report from Yavneh College, a Jewish secondary school near London, where students described how antisemitism has affected their daily lives. Their accounts offered a window into the urgency behind the government’s recommendations.

Education provides one of the clearest points of comparison between the two strategies. Mamdani's plan calls for expanding Holocaust education, including opportunities for students to visit the Museum of Jewish Heritage, while also addressing how public schools respond to antisemitic discrimination. The U.K. government's recommendations address many of those same concerns, placing greater emphasis on how educators recognize antisemitism, how schools respond when incidents occur and what protections are in place for Jewish students.

The review, led by former senior education official Sir David Bell, found that nearly three in five Jewish people between the ages of 16 and 19 had experienced or witnessed antisemitism. It concluded that antisemitism is a distinct form of racism requiring a specific response and called for clearer guidance to distinguish legitimate political debate from harassment, intimidation and antisemitic rhetoric.

British Jewish author and Holocaust educator Dov Forman, who recently graduated from university, called the recommendations "the bare minimum," while acknowledging that the government is attempting to confront the problem directly.

"The least [Mamdani] could do is look at what has happened in the U.K. and adopt similar measures, such as adopting the IHRA definition, which is the agreed definition across the world and where there is a consensus of what antisemitism actually is," Forman told Fox News Digital.

"The basic way to solve antisemitism is to actually agree on what it is and to understand that targeting a Jew deliberately because of what is going on in Israel, for example, is antisemitic, as the IHRA definition says," he added.

Forman cautioned that the British recommendations remain largely optional and that their effectiveness will depend on whether institutions act.

"I do think some of them will be enforced and listened to. I do worry, though, that the government says things and does not actually take it seriously enough."

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said the government would establish an implementation group, while Bell was commissioned to conduct an independent assessment of its progress after one year.

Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, welcomed Britain’s decision while emphasizing that adopting recommendations is only the beginning.

JEWISH EDUCATORS FACE RAMPANT ANTISEMITISM IN TEACHERS UNIONS, NEW REPORT FINDS

"I welcome the U.K.’s announcement that it has accepted all 27 recommendations," Kaploun wrote on X. "Now, the challenge lies in implementation and enforcement."

Forman also said that British officials must examine whether their rhetoric about Israel contradicts their stated commitment to protecting Jewish communities.

"It is very rich of the government to say that schools should adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism and that Jews should not be demonized for what is going on in the Middle East, and then for them to get up in the dispatch box in the House of Commons every week and blame Israel," he said.

"Stop talking and start acting," Forman added, calling on the government to confront Islamist extremism and the Muslim Brotherhood and identify more directly where antisemitism is originating.

The U.K. has faced criticism for being slow in combating antisemitism. Jewish residents have faced physical attacks, threats and harassment, making the specificity of its new plan and its contrast with New York City’s approach particularly notable.

Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, senior rabbi of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, called Mamdani’s strategy a "paper tiger," arguing that its announced $36 million price tag obscures how little would go directly toward physical security.

"It’s a million dollars in security in a city with a million Jews. It’s a dollar a Jew," Steinmetz told Fox News Digital.

The strategy includes $1 million to support physical security for vulnerable nonprofit organizations, including synagogues and other houses of worship, and $6.4 million for grants through the city’s Partners Against the Hate initiative.

Steinmetz claimed that much of the money would support cultural centers and broadly defined community initiatives rather than immediate security needs.

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UJA-Federation of New York, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, the American Jewish Committee’s New York office and the New York Board of Rabbis issued a joint statement warning that Mamdani’s plan fails to address a central source of contemporary antisemitism.

The organizations said rhetoric demonizing or delegitimizing Israel contributes to Jewish New Yorkers being treated as suspect, excluded or unsafe, and argued that any serious strategy must acknowledge that connection.

"How can you have a strategy to keep New York Jews safe when you can’t even name what the danger is?" Steinmetz asked.

One of Mamdani’s early actions as mayor was to revoke an executive order issued by former Mayor Eric Adams adopting the IHRA definition for city agencies. The definition provides examples of when criticism of Israel may cross into antisemitism while making clear that criticism comparable to that directed at any other country is not inherently antisemitic.

Fox News Digital asked Mamdani’s office why the city’s strategy omits the IHRA definition and measurable benchmarks, and whether the administration would consider safeguards similar to those adopted by Britain. The mayor’s office did not respond by the time of publication.

Britain’s measures have also only recently been accepted, and their impact remains untested.

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Britain has defined the problem, outlined specific recommendations and established a process for reviewing its progress. New York City’s Jewish leaders are still asking whether City Hall has accurately identified the threat it claims it intends to confront.

Fox News Digital's Sydney Finver contributed to this report.

An assailant armed with two knives attacked a member of Serbia's Gendarmerie guarding the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade shortly after midnight Wednesday, prompting the officer to fatally shoot the attacker in self-defense, according to Serbian authorities.

The assailant, who was a minor, allegedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" — or "God is great" in Arabic — as he slashed the officer in the face, leaving the officer "slightly injured."

Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said authorities are treating the incident as a terrorist attack, adding that security forces had been monitoring the assailant.

Dacic said the attacker supported ISIS and displayed a black flag bearing the terrorist group's symbol on his Instagram account. The attacker was believed to be Serbian and from the town of Sabac, Dacic added.

HALIMA SALMAN CONVICTED OF RECEIVING ISIS MILITARY TRAINING IN SYRIA, FACES 10 YEARS IN PRISON

Israel's foreign ministry confirmed the "attempted terrorist attack," and said the incident was under investigation by the relevant authorities.

"The attacker was neutralized by local police. No embassy personnel were injured, and the mission was closed at the time of the incident, which occurred late at night," the statement said.

According to Serbian prosecutors, an unidentified person wearing black clothes opened the door to the security booth outside the embassy around 12:15 a.m. local time.

FRANCE ON EDGE WITH 70,000 POLICE DEPLOYED FOR UNREST AS AUTHORITIES PROBE SUSPECTED TERROR ATTACK NEAR PARIS

Prosecutors said the attacker then walked toward the officer inside, identified as D.S., and threw one of his knives in his direction, hitting the officer in the left cheek.

D.S. then retrieved his service weapon and fired multiple rounds, killing the attacker on the spot, according to the office of the Higher Public Prosecutor in Belgrade.

Photos from the scene hours after the attack show heavily armed police officers standing at the entrance of the embassy.

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Dacic said Serbia had raised its terrorism threat level to the highest level, prompting an increased police presence at sensitive sites and crowded public spaces across the country.

In June 2024, a crossbow-wielding assailant wounded a Serbian police officer guarding the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade before the officer returned fire, killing the attacker.

The latest attack comes a day after Israel held parliamentary elections, with exit polls pointing to no clear winner.

TEL AVIV, Israel — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political bloc gained ground Wednesday morning as Israel counted votes from its first national election since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacre, but remained short of the majority needed to form a government, leaving the country facing another potential political deadlock.

With approximately 70% of votes counted, Netanyahu's right-wing and religious bloc stood at 54 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, compared with 47 for the main opposition and 19 for Arab parties, according to partial election results reported by Israeli media. Netanyahu's Likud led with 27 seats, while former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party held 20.

As both Netanyahu and Eisenkot claimed victory Tuesday night, Israelis told Fox News Digital that although they had expected a tight race, the shifting numbers and uncertainty over who could form a government had left many confused about what comes next.

ISRAEL HEADS INTO DEEPLY DIVIDED ELECTION AS OCT. 7 RECKONING LOOMS: WHAT TO KNOW

Despite Netanyahu's lead, the parties outside his governing bloc collectively held 66 seats, a majority in the 120-seat Knesset, creating a potential path for the opposition to challenge his leadership if it can secure sufficient cooperation from Arab lawmakers.

The results marked a shift from Tuesday night's initial exit polls, which prompted celebrations at Eisenkot's campaign headquarters in Tel Aviv. Eisenkot called on Netanyahu to accept the results and step aside, while Netanyahu declared later in the night from his headquarters in Jerusalem that Likud had emerged as the country's largest party and urged the formation of a strong right-wing government.

The election has now shifted from the ballot box to a potentially complicated battle over coalition-building.

President Donald Trump took credit Wednesday morning for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stronger-than-expected election performance, suggesting his endorsement helped shift the momentum of the race.

NETANYAHU FIGHTS FOR POLITICAL FUTURE AS ISRAEL HEADS TO POLLS WITH IRAN THREAT LOOMING

In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared a statement from Irving C. Schwartz, who wrote, "When President Trump endorsed Bibi Netanyahu, the whole tide turned, and now, rather than a decisive defeat for a Great Prime Minister, it looks like a big come-from-behind stalemate, or even a WIN for Netanyahu."

Later, speaking to reporters near Air Force One, Trump said, "I heard the poll numbers were wrong ... the exit polls; I heard he [Netanyahu] did very well. It was pretty close, but very well. When the endorsement went out, it helped him a lot."

"It's a little bit early, but I'm hearing in Israel, top people say, 'Wow! He did a lot better than people thought.' It's looking like maybe a stalemate or a win," Trump added.

JD VANCE DECLINES TO ENDORSE NETANYAHU DESPITE TRUMP'S STRONG BACKING

Arab parties could hold the key

The growing influence of Arab parties has emerged as one of the most consequential factors in determining Israel's next government.

According to the partial results, the Joint List held 13 seats and Ra'am, led by Mansour Abbas, held six, giving Arab parties a combined 19 seats.

Abbas signaled openness to political negotiations, saying figures from both sides of Israel's political divide had approached him.

"Everyone is talking to us, not just the change bloc," Abbas told Israel's Channel 12.

Democrats leader Yair Golan went further, openly calling for the formation of a new government in cooperation with Arab parties. "Netanyahu lost. I know how to count to 120–65 is greater than 55. That's how Israeli democracy works. Period," Golan wrote on X. Golan also rejected Netanyahu's distinction between Jewish and Arab political support, arguing that every Israeli citizen's vote should carry equal weight. "The vote of an Israeli citizen in Tira is worth exactly the same as the vote of an Israeli citizen in Givat Shmuel," he wrote.

Golan's figures reflected an earlier stage of the count, but his argument highlighted an emerging disagreement within the opposition over whether to include Arab parties in the next government.

Eisenkot has previously expressed opposition to including Ra'am in his coalition, while Netanyahu has warned against any government dependent on Arab parties.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU'S LEGACY AND POLITICAL FUTURE ON THE LINE IN ISRAEL'S OCT 27 ELECTION

Three possible paths to forming a government

Netanyahu could attempt to expand his current coalition by winning support from at least seven lawmakers outside his right-wing and religious bloc, which would bring him to the 61 seats needed for a conventional parliamentary majority.

Alternatively, Eisenkot could seek enough parliamentary recommendations, potentially including those of Arab parties, to persuade President Isaac Herzog to give him the first opportunity to form a government.

Those recommendations would not necessarily require Arab parties to join a future coalition. However, Eisenkot would still need enough parliamentary support to secure a confidence vote.

A third possibility is another deadlock, with neither leader able to form a government and Israel potentially facing another election.

The final outcome remains uncertain as vote counting continues, including ballots cast by soldiers and other voters using special voting procedures.

Official results are scheduled for Nov. 4, after which Herzog will consult with parliamentary factions and select a lawmaker to attempt to form the next government.

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That candidate will initially have 28 days to negotiate coalition agreements, with the possibility of a 14-day extension. 

Until a new government takes office, Netanyahu will remain prime minister.