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  • Letters to the Editor | Nov. 26, 2025

    Letters to the Editor | Nov. 26, 2025

    Stand with our ally

    Why is Donald Trump deserting Ukraine? Ukraine has demonstrated superior battlefield and technical skills over Russia and taken back territory that Russia has captured. Ukraine has suffered severe losses fighting for its sovereignty. International experts believe Ukraine could defeat Russia. Why aren’t we giving help to our ally? We’ve given and taken it away twice. Trump and Vladimir Putin now suggest a plan giving Russia a major gift. Russia started this war and should never be rewarded. The plan sounds like a big win for Russia and a loss for the U.S., Ukraine, and NATO. Trump continues to show admiration for Putin, who has humiliated him more than once. Trump flattered Putin in Alaska. It didn’t work. Do we really want to give Russia control over major territory in Ukraine, relief on sanctions, and limitations on NATO countries? Russia has been trying to damage NATO countries’ airports. We should never reward Russia when we’ve seen these actions. Allies in Europe don’t favor the referenced plan, nor should the U.S.

    Robert Turnbull, Media

    . . .

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky must not agree to the Trump administration’s Russia-friendly proposal to end hostilities between the two neighboring countries. The American people support Ukraine’s fight, but their president never has. He’s a grudge holder who likely blames Zelensky (for his refusal to investigate the Bidens) for his first impeachment. Trump wants Ukraine to capitulate in order to boost his campaign for a Nobel Peace Prize. Trump is for Trump and no one else. Vladimir Putin manipulates Trump, who has done nothing to earn Zelensky’s confidence and trust. Trump’s demand that Ukraine accept terms that are favorable only to Russia is a knife in the hearts of all peace-loving and battle-weary Ukrainians. Zelensky repeatedly held out his hand (both hands to be accurate) to Trump, requesting “U.S. support” in the form of aid and defensive military weaponry. Each ask resulted in no aid. Nada, from the onetime swaggering candidate who even before the inauguration told voters he would end hostilities in short order if elected. Volodymyr, don’t lose Ukrainian dignity. Trump is not your friend.

    David Kahn, Boca Raton, Fla.

    Unfair

    On Nov. 13, Sen. John Fetterman was hospitalized following a minor cardiac event. How nice for him to be able to draw on government-subsidized health coverage to access the care he needs. What a shame he couldn’t be bothered to fight to protect access to affordable healthcare for his constituents.

    When I received a breast cancer diagnosis a few days shy of my 34th birthday, it was my Affordable Care Act plan that ensured I could get the treatment I needed without decimating my financial reserves. Now, thanks to Fetterman’s spinelessness, what cancer treatment couldn’t wipe out, a 75% increase in insurance premiums just might. How many Pennsylvanians are going to find themselves in a comparable position? Trapped between healthcare they can’t afford to go without and coverage they can no longer afford to pay.

    Katherine Roberts, Philadelphia

    Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.

  • Horoscopes: Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025

    ARIES (March 21-April 19). If you could just do all the right steps in the right order, the task would get good results in a predictable amount of time. But perfect instructions are a rare thing in this world. So watch a pro and have a little fun while you give it your best shot.

    TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Vivid fantasies and dreams are available to you the moment you make a relaxed space for them. Like children who go wild when adults leave the room, your thoughts will be feral fun once the uptight prefrontal cortex gets out of the way.

    GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You don’t need rescuing, but some will rush in wanting to help. Let them show their care. Just don’t hand over your power. Accept the kind of assistance that lightens your load without taking over your path.

    CANCER (June 22-July 22). Being struck with the best idea in a powerful, potent and fully realized form is a rarity. The first idea needs only to be good enough to keep you revisiting. Solutions will be the result of a thought process, not a thought.

    LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll be once more made aware of how every object, obligation or identity we carry requires energy to maintain. To live with less is, in a sense, to be less tired. Fewer possessions, fewer commitments, fewer mental attachments — this does bring freedom.

    VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The unconscious mind processes information faster than conscious reasoning. It picks up subtle cues and patterns, then delivers them as an “aha” or gut feeling. You feel as you do. Don’t worry too much about your reasons — trust that you have them.

    LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). What you want is in line with what is possible, good and right for you to have. Streamline your efforts. A lean and mean approach will concentrate your power so you can use it precisely, making a difference when it matters.

    SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’re open and curious right now, ready to explore. Lead with appetite and you’ll have more fun because you’re so hungry for life and ideas. Intuition will guide your curiosity, and you can trust it to know what’s next for you.

    SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Charisma is easy for you, but it’s not always about giving a performance. Sometimes it’s as simple as not staring at a screen, so the others in the room feel you’re in the same setting as them and you want to be there.

    CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your mood: feisty. It feels like the entire system is wonky. You may find yourself buzzing through every experience with a kind of low-grade, rebellious energy. The rebel in you doesn’t need a justification — just a stage.

    AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You have a plan, and it’s a good one, but when the moment arises, we are only as effective as our adaptive instincts. Keep your intentions at the forefront and you will succeed in conveying them.

    PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Those who can’t appreciate their own experiences usually have trouble appreciating anyone else’s. Keep that in mind when choosing an audience. The receptivity of others will affect your mood, so choose people who listen well and laugh easily.

    TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 26). Welcome to your Year of Living Deliciously. Pleasure is the compass that leads to prosperity. Your appetites and curiosities lead you to situations that make life interesting while making you smarter about curating the lifestyle that fits you best. More highlights: Recognition for creative courage, an unexpected financial upswing, and love that thrives on curiosity and humor. Virgo and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 12, 8, 33, 45 and 21.

  • Dear Abby | Son invites his rapist father to wedding

    DEAR ABBY: My child “Logan” is the product of a sexual assault. He has located his father and formed a relationship with him. Logan didn’t know the circumstances of his conception at the time he contacted his father. He has now been made fully aware by our family as to what occurred.

    Abby, Logan has invited this person to his wedding. I do not want to attend if his father will be present. Logan has told me that this man WILL be attending and that the problem is MY issue. I love my son, but this is beyond traumatic for me. I want to be there for the special day, but I cannot bring myself to be in the same room with the person who assaulted me.

    This situation has broken my heart. I feel as though my feelings don’t matter to Logan and that he expects me to just push through this, go to the wedding and deal with it. What are your thoughts?

    — WORST-CASE SCENARIO

    DEAR WORST-CASE: Your son’s insensitivity to your feelings is appalling. That he would demand you ignore the fact that you were a rape victim and spend even a minute in the perpetrator’s presence is outrageous. Whatever decision you make to move forward is the right one for YOU. I am so sorry for your pain, which is palpable.

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: I work with a lady who has drama swirling around her constantly. There’s always something wrong with work, her house, her family, herself, her pets, etc. Each problem is worse than the next. At first, I was sympathetic and let her vent. Then I realized this is a daily occurrence, and all this negativity is draining not only my patience but also my mental health.

    I have tried quickly moving past her work area, but she then follows me to mine. When I tried getting to work before she did, she started coming in earlier. When I tell her I need to complete an assignment, she continues to talk! I’d like to put some distance between us. But she’s a nice person, and I hate to say, “I really can’t listen to you complain every day.” Any suggestions?

    — RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE

    DEAR RUNNING: Yes, quit being such a “nice person” yourself and stop letting this co-worker use you as a trouble dump. The next time she approaches you, tell her that what she’s doing is interfering with your work and sapping your energy, and you can no longer allow it. Say plainly that you need her to stop. If she doesn’t, discuss the problem with your supervisor or HR.

    ** ** **

    DEAR READERS: Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and no Thanksgiving would be complete without sharing the traditional prayer penned by my dear late mother:

    Oh, Heavenly Father,

    We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry.

    We thank Thee for health and remember the sick.

    We thank Thee for friends and remember the friendless.

    We thank Thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.

    May these remembrances stir us to service,

    That Thy gifts to us may be used for others.

    Amen.

    Have a happy and safe celebration, everyone!

    — Love, ABBY

  • Undermanned Sixers can’t keep up with Magic in 144-103 loss

    Undermanned Sixers can’t keep up with Magic in 144-103 loss

    Anthony Black scored 27 of his career-high 31 points in the first half, Franz Wagner added 21 points and the Orlando Magic routed the injury-depleted 76ers 144-103 in an NBA Cup game on Tuesday night.

    Orlando’s Jalen Suggs was ejected with 27 seconds left in the first half after receiving two technicals during a heated altercation between the teams.

    Tyrese Maxey scored 20 points to lead the Sixers, whose absences included Joel Embiid (right knee injury management), Paul George (right ankle sprain) and rookie VJ Edgecombe (left calf tightness).

    Sixers’ Trendon Watford leaves Magic game with left adductor strain

    Orlando improved to 3-0 in the Cup and the Sixers dropped to 0-3.

    The game was tied at 35-all after the first quarter before the Magic took control in the second period. Philadelphia fans started showering boos on the court when Orlando went up 17 points with 5½ minutes left.

    The frustration spilled onto the court with 27 seconds before the break when the altercation led to Suggs’ ejection.

    A scuffle between Sixers’ Andre Drummond and Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. led to Jalen Suggs’ ejection.

    The Magic dominated the second quarter, outscoring Philadelphia by 26 points in the period to take an 86-60 lead at halftime.

    Trendon Watford limped to the bench with just over four minutes left in the first half and did not return due to a left adductor strain.

    Embiid missed his eighth game in a row and 11th this season. The seven-time All-Star and 2023 MVP began the season recovering from left knee surgery, limiting him to 20-to-25 minutes when available, but has since had issues with his right knee.

    Joel Embiid, Paul George to miss Sixers’ NBA Cup matchup with Orlando Magic

    George, who signed a four-year, $212 million deal with Philadelphia prior to last season, made his season debut on Nov. 17 after offseason knee surgery. He missed the following game, played the next two before sitting out against Orlando.

    For Orlando, Paolo Banchero was sidelined for his seventh consecutive contest with a left groin strain.

    Up Next

    The Sixers travel to Brooklyn to face the Nets on Friday night (7:30 p.m., NBCSP).

  • Regional Rail service snarled late into Tuesday night because of earlier disabled trains, SEPTA says

    Regional Rail service snarled late into Tuesday night because of earlier disabled trains, SEPTA says

    Regional Rail service through Center City was snarled early Tuesday evening — and late into the night — because of disabled trains blocking a tunnel, SEPTA said.

    “We had a brief power outage at about 4:15 that started this. The power was back within 10 minutes, but we had three trains that could not restart,” said SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch.

    “We are in the process of transferring those customers to other trains, but it is causing major delays,” Busch said.

    Busch later added that the afternoon power outage originated with Amtrak.

    Shortly before 10:20 p.m., SEPTA reported on social media that service “remains significantly delayed due to earlier overhead power loss in Center City. Expect delays of up to 45 minutes.”

  • Sixers’ Trendon Watford leaves Magic game with left adductor strain

    Sixers’ Trendon Watford leaves Magic game with left adductor strain

    Trendon Watford exited Tuesday night’s game against the Orlando Magic after suffering a left adductor strain with 4 minutes, 7 seconds before the intermission. He will not return to the game, the 76ers said.

    The Sixers’ reserve power forward grabbed the inner part of his left leg while passing the ball before falling to the court. After being helped up, Watford was assisted to the locker room.

    Joel Embiid, Paul George to miss Sixers’ NBA Cup matchup with Orlando Magic

    He had eight points, one rebound, and an assist in 11 minutes. He was 2-for-2 from the field and 4-for-4 from the foul line.

    Watford averaged 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds through his first 13 games. The Sixers trailed the Magic, 86-60, at halftime.

  • Kevin Patullo says his unit has ‘got to get rid’ of penalties that slowed the Eagles’ offense in Dallas

    Kevin Patullo says his unit has ‘got to get rid’ of penalties that slowed the Eagles’ offense in Dallas

    The NFL’s leader in punts after three plays did not have any such three-and-out drives in the first half of Sunday’s 24-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

    The Eagles built their 21-0 lead behind an offense that moved the ball efficiently through the air and looked more creative than it had in the two weeks prior. They got the ball after halftime and immediately completed a pass to Grant Calcaterra for an 8-yard gain to move the ball to their own 40-yard line.

    Then, a penalty that offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo seems to think was a turning point of sorts happened. On the ensuing second-and-2, the Eagles put Matt Pryor on the field in their jumbo set and called a run-pass option that got Dallas Goedert free in space. Jalen Hurts hit his tight end for a 20-yard reception that moved the ball to Dallas’ 40-yard line. But the Eagles weren’t lined up right, and an illegal formation penalty knocked them back to a second-and-7. Two incompletions later, the Eagles punted.

    It was a sign of things to come, as penalties — including another that wiped out a 16-yard gain in the fourth quarter and kept the Eagles out of the red zone — helped keep the Eagles off the scoreboard after taking a 21-0 lead 18-plus minutes into the game.

    Eagles wide receiver Devonta Smith is tackled by Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson in the third quarter of Sunday’s game in Dallas.

    “I think when you look at the first half, it was kind of one of those deals where — and we talked about it today as an offense — we were able to do what we wanted to do, keep on track, keep the pace going, keep ahead of the sticks, and keep it moving,” Patullo said Tuesday. “In the second half, we came out, we went empty, we got a completion, and then we had an illegal formation on an explosive.

    “When you have a penalty on an explosive, which flipped the field around on us, it was a 20-yard gain, now all of the sudden you’re behind the sticks.”

    Banged-up offensive line and inability to run is ‘crippling this offense,’ according to two former Eagles

    Penalties have been a problem for the Eagles, who have drawn the seventh-most flags in the NFL. The offense accounted for seven on its own and four in the second half Sunday.

    “We talked about it, we went through all the drives and we’ve got to do a better job as a staff and as a whole unit in general with this stuff of just continuously pressing onto this issue,” Patullo said. “Because it’s been something that’s appeared and we know it’s there and we just got to get rid of it.

    “That’s kind of what stopped us in the second half. … We had some penalties, we had some things go on that if they go the other way we’re talking a whole other deal right now. It’s a whole other game, and we know that, and that’s what’s disappointing and that’s what’s frustrating.”

    Patullo, who Nick Sirianni said Monday will continue calling plays, said there was “a lot to be encouraged from” with the offense on Sunday.

    “But at the same time, when those things happen, when you go into the locker room after the game, the frustration level is high because we know how close we were, and if those things don’t go the way they go it’s a whole other outcome,” he said.

    Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni walks off the field after the Eagles lose to the Dallas Cowboys 24-21 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.

    Penalties, of course, weren’t the only thing that halted the Eagles. They seemed to take their foot off the gas a little bit, and their inability to run the ball showed up once again. Saquon Barkley tallied just 22 yards on 10 attempts. The lack of a running game has hampered the offense for most of the season.

    “We’re trying pretty much anything and everything we can to find ways to get him going,” Patullo said. “I know that the guys are excited for something new this week to see if we can get it going.”

    Vic Fangio expects to have safety Reed Blankenship available on Friday vs. the Bears

    Injury report

    The Eagles listed five players as nonparticipants in their estimated practice report following Tuesday’s walk-through ahead of Friday’s home game vs. the Chicago Bears.

    Xavier Gipson (shoulder), Brandon Graham (groin), Lane Johnson (foot), Drew Mukuba (ankle), and DeVonta Smith (shoulder/chest) were all listed as out.

    Barkley (groin), Reed Blankenship (thigh), and Landon Dickerson (knee), meanwhile, were listed as limited. Adoree’ Jackson, who was being evaluated for a concussion Sunday after leaving the game, was listed as a full participant.

  • FIFA lays out the rules for the World Cup draw

    FIFA lays out the rules for the World Cup draw

    GENEVA — The 2026 World Cup draw next week will reward the four highest-ranked teams — Spain, Argentina, France and England — who will be placed in separate sections of a new tennis-style seeded tournament bracket.

    FIFA said Tuesday the top four teams in the latest men’s rankings will, if they finish top of their respective round-robin groups, avoid each other until the semifinals of the June 11-July 19 tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    Defending champion Argentina with Lionel Messi and top-ranked European champion Spain with Lamine Yamal therefore can ensure they do not meet until the final at MetLife Stadium near New York.

    “To ensure competitive balance, two separate pathways to the semifinals have been established,” FIFA said in a statement, aiming to reward teams whose consistent good results have raised their world ranking.

    Lionel Messi celebrates scoring a goal for Argentina in September.

    At previous World Cups, the path for teams into and through the knockout phase was decided by which group they were drawn into.

    The draw ceremony for the first 48-team World Cup will be held Dec. 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump.

    Projecting the USMNT’s World Cup roster after its last game of the year: Several locals in; surprises on the bubble

    The 42 teams that already qualified include Iran and Haiti which FIFA expects will play exactly where they are drawn regardless of complicated politics those countries have with the U.S. The 16 host venues for the 104 games include 11 cities with NFL stadiums in the U.S., three in Mexico and two in Canada.

    The other six entries will be decided in March when European and global playoffs brackets are scheduled, and those teams all will come out of the draw pot of lowest-ranked teams.

    Spain’s Lamine Yamal (right) is the soccer world’s new superstar.

    That means four-time champion Italy could be a dangerous option in the draw on Friday of next week that will set the match schedule by placing teams in 12 round-robin groups of four teams each.

    Europe has 16 teams in the lineup and a maximum of two can be drawn into any one group. The other 32 teams in the tournament cannot be drawn in a group with a team from the same continent.

    The three co-hosts are among the 12 top seeds in the draw, which is scheduled to take about 45 minutes during a show lasting about an hour and a half, FIFA said. The U.S. will open on June 12 against a team from pot 3, then face a team from pot 2 and close the group stage against a team from pot 4.

    The Union’s Danley Jean Jacques celebrates helping Haiti reach its first men’s World Cup since 1974
    Kylian Mbappé led France to the 2018 World Cup title and the 2022 final.

    World Cup draw seedings

    Pot 1: Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, United States, Mexico, Canada.

    Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia.

    Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa.

    Pot 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand, European playoff winner 1, European playoff winner 2, European playoff winner 3, European playoff winner 4, Intercontinental playoff winner 1, Intercontinental playoff winner 2.

    International fans with World Cup tickets coming to America next summer can get a priority visa appointment. Here’s how.
  • Pa. State Police ID 3 men killed in Chester County crash

    Pa. State Police ID 3 men killed in Chester County crash

    Pennsylvania State Police identified three men who were killed in a crash when the vehicle they were in allegedly fled from a traffic stop and crashed early Friday in Chester County.

    Devon Hargraves, 35, Gershad Andre, 33, and Larry Wilmer, 36, all of Wilmington, were killed in the crash, state police said this week.

    About 1:20 a.m. Friday, troopers saw a Silver Toyota sedan allegedly violate traffic laws near East Third Street and Garner Drive in New Garden Township.

    When troopers tried to conduct a traffic stop, “the vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued,” state police said Friday.

    “Soon after the pursuit ensued the fleeing vehicle crashed, and the three occupants of the fleeing vehicle are deceased,” state police said.

    The crash happened in Avondale Borough.

    The Pennsylvania State Police said its investigation of the crash was ongoing.

  • Oklahoma State to hire North Texas’ Eric Morris as new football coach

    Oklahoma State to hire North Texas’ Eric Morris as new football coach

    Oklahoma State has chosen North Texas’ Eric Morris as its new head football coach, the school announced Tuesday.

    Morris has been the head coach at North Texas since 2023. The program went 5-7 his first season, but now is 10-1 and contending for a American Conference championship and College Football Playoff berth. The Mean Green are No. 21 in the Associated Press’ Top 25 poll.

    Morris has a reputation for helping quarterbacks, having coached, developed or recruited Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, John Mateer, Cam Ward, Chandler Morris and Drew Mestemaker.

    K.C. Keeler tries to boost his team’s confidence as Temple prepares for No. 21 North Texas

    “For many reasons, including the kind of person he is and the lasting relationships he builds with his players, Coach Morris is the perfect fit as the next leader of Cowboy Football,” Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg said. “The future is bright for OSU Football and I look forward to introducing him and his family to our team, our former players and all Cowboy fans.”

    The hire is pending board approval.

    North Texas leads the country in scoring offense and total offense this year, and the team has reached the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1959. Mestemaker, a redshirt freshman walk-on, leads the FBS in yards passing.

    North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker leads college football in passing yards.

    North Texas said in a news release that Morris will coach through this season.

    “On behalf of the University of North Texas, I want to express our deep gratitude to Eric for everything he has done for Mean Green Football over the past three seasons,” North Texas athletic director Jared Mosley said.

    Morris will step in for Mike Gundy, who was fired in September during his 21st season. Doug Meacham is 0-8 as the interim coach. Oklahoma State is 1-10 heading into its season finale at home against Iowa State on Saturday.

    Morris was head coach at Incarnate Word for four seasons, then was an assistant at Washington State before becoming head coach at North Texas. He was offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, his alma mater, from 2015 to 2017 and has been an assistant at Houston.

    North Texas will host Temple (5-6, 3-5 American) on Friday (3:30 p.m., ESPN).