genie costume male ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Ramiro Enrique scored a first-half goal and that was all goalkeeper Pedro Gallese would need to lead Orlando City to a 1-0 victory over rival Atlanta United in an Eastern Conference semifinal at Inter&Co Stadium on Sunday. No. 4 seed Orlando City, in its first trip to the conference final, will host the seventh-seeded New York Red Bulls next Saturday or Sunday with a trip to the MLS Cup final on Dec. 7 on the line. The Red Bulls have made the playoffs in 14 straight seasons but never won the Cup. Orlando City grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute on an unassisted goal by Ramiro Enrique , who scored off a corner kick that struck the chest of teammate César Araújo near the goal. It was the first goal contribution for Enrique in seven playoff appearances. He scored eight times in the regular season - his second in the league. Gallese did not have to make a save in his 10th career postseason start — all with Orlando City. Three of his five shutouts in the playoffs have come in the past two seasons. He had eight clean sheets during the regular season. Brad Guzan saved three shots for Atlanta United. He has started 18 times in the postseason for Atlanta United following four starts for Chivas USA in 2006-07. Atlanta United lost Daniel Ríos to concussion protocol four minutes into the second half and Ronald Hernández replaced him. Atlanta United has had the upper hand in the series during the regular season, posting an 11-4-7 record. Atlanta United won both matchups this regular season — 2-1 on the road and 2-0 at home. The two clubs had never met in the postseason. AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccerThe expected rate of population growth in the Lower Mainland is “a bit too much,” especially if the federal government does not properly plan for the infrastructure required to accommodate it, says Metro Vancouver Regional District chair Mike Hurley. Last week, Metro Vancouver released new population projections showing the region of 23 local governments is expected to grow, on average, by 50,000 new residents each year until 2050 when the total population reaches 4.21 million people. If that pace proves true, that’s a 1.7 per cent annual compound growth rate from 2021 when population reached about 2.6 million. Metro Vancouver stated the new growth rate is based on “evolving federal immigration policy, and trends in non-permanent residents.” Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the region was expecting 35,000 new residents annually to reach 3.8 million. The new analysis shows a low-growth scenario of 3.98 million people and a high-growth scenario of 4.39 million people. “I think the growth rate is a bit too much,” said Hurley. “I think that — and this is just my personal opinion, not Metro Vancouver's — until our infrastructure really starts to catch up and there's infrastructure deficit everywhere, including schools, hospitals, not just the Metro Vancouver infrastructure and other cities’ infrastructure, I just think it's a lot to be put on to municipalities,” said Hurley, who is also the mayor of Burnaby. And the federal government, which applies GST on new homes, “is not really stepping up to help out when it comes to infrastructure projects,” said Hurley. The analysis also noted that by 2035 all of the population growth will be from immigrants, based on birth rate trends, meaning the issue falls squarely on immigration policy. As an immigrant from Northern Ireland, Hurley said immigration “has to be controlled in more of a solid fashion and more reasoned fashion, so that we can keep up with the infrastructure issues.” Asked where this growth directive is coming from, Hurley said the business community concerned about their workforces is “probably a primary driver.” Asked if the region, or Canada in general, can sustain a lower growth rate — such as Scandinavian nations — given its dependence on construction, buying and selling of homes, Hurley said: “I think that's such a big part of our economy now that we've become reliant on that a bit, but I think we can live well within that one per cent growth range, one and a half per cent growth range, and I think our economy could handle that.” Hurley said all three levels of government need to be on the same page. “There needs to be some think tank amongst them, you know, the three orders of government, laying out exactly what the plan is here. Because I'm not seeing a real plan. I'm just seeing this is what's happening.” Glacier Media also spoke to Eric Woodward, Metro Vancouver’s chair of the regional planning committee, for his personal opinion on projected growth rates and whether they are the right path for the region. “I don't think about it in those terms, because a lot of these predictions are based on inputs that are out of the control of Metro Vancouver or local government. “There isn't a ton of political input in terms of producing them, and whether they're right or wrong or not, is also not much of a consideration that I've seen. This is, again, an academic exercise in predicting what is going to happen,” he said. Woodward, who said he ran on a pro-building campaign in 2022, suggested cities are effectively forced to react to the population increases of the federal government. “I think it would be more important to say, ‘Well, if it is going to happen, then we need to improve how we're managing it.’ I think there's lots of areas where that can be improved.” [email protected]

CAIRO: Syrian refugees and residents in Egypt face an uncertain future as new regulations may jeopardize their right to remain in the country after Bashar Al-Assad’s ouster earlier this month. European countries quickly suspended Syrian asylum applications after the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham swept into Damascus on Dec 8, forcing Assad to flee after a 13-year civil war. Other countries are also responding to the changing political landscape. Egypt last week ratified a new law giving the government the power to determine refugee status. A decision has not been made on whether Syrians in Egypt would qualify as refugees under the new law, security sources told Reuters. The UN refugee agency UNHCR estimates six million Syrians are living as refugees around the world, primarily in neighboring countries. It expects 1 million to return in the next six months, but some Syrian refugees fear being forced to return home. Egypt is also suspending the renewal of existing residency permits, held by many Syrians for tourism, education, or business, pending a security check, security sources told Reuters. Syrian residents who spoke to Reuters were mostly unaware of the new rules, and many were also cautious about returning home. “The situation there is not stable and we still do not know what will happen,” said Ahmed Al-Akhras, owner of a car spare parts business, who said his children’s schooling and his shop were other reasons to stay. He said his residency permit renewal was delayed so, like a number of other Syrians, he recently applied for UNHCR refugee status. “If I go back to Syria, it won’t be now,” he said. “We are afraid of the unknown, we don’t know who the new person that took over is, we don’t know the future,” said another Syrian who had been in Egypt for 12 years. Residency decisions would be based on security considerations, the sources said. One cited concerns about Egypt’s own internal security after Assad’s replacement by the rebels. Egypt has taken a diplomatic approach to the upheaval in Syria, but state-linked media have referred to the rebels as “terrorist” groups. With Egypt tackling an economic crisis of its own, officials have often described refugees in the country, which they number at 10 million, as a burden. The UNHCR puts the number of refugees in Egypt at around 800,000, including about 159,000 Syrians. Hundreds of thousands more Syrians have residency permits in Egypt, and many own businesses. “There is no other country in the globe hosting this number of refugees while receiving the same treatment as Egyptian citizens despite the fact we are not a rich country,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told reporters last week, citing the absence of refugee camps and access to free education, healthcare, and subsidies. “This law strikes a balance between upholding our international commitments, while preserving the national security of Egypt.” The law, ratified on Dec 17, transfers the asylum system to the government from the UN, and allows the government to collect more data on the number of refugees. “Of course, the increase in numbers of registered refugees will contribute in providing more aid (from the international community) to Egypt. This is not a bad thing,” said lawmaker Freddy Elbaiady. The law includes provisions protecting refugee rights to work, health, and education and freedom from exploitation. Rights groups have criticized the new law. They point out that the definition of a refugee is ambiguous, and authorities have the right to deport anyone they deem does not qualify. While there was no sign of a sudden deportation of Syrians, it was likely Cairo would change its perception of Syrians as a group in need of protection as the situation stabilizes, said Karim Ennara of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, an independent human rights organization. In response to questions by Reuters, the UNHCR said it would continue to advocate for clear asylum procedures in Egypt. — Reuters

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Kaylene Smikle scored 16 points and made a couple key baskets down the stretch to help No. 10 Maryland hold off George Mason 66-56 in a matchup of unbeatens Saturday at the Navy Classic. The Terrapins (7-0) led by just two when Smikle stole the ball and made a layup while being fouled. The free throw pushed the lead to 58-53. Then a putback by Smikle put Maryland up by seven. The Terps won despite shooting 13 of 26 on free throws. George Mason (6-1) trailed by 10 at halftime before outscoring Maryland 18-7 in the third quarter. The Patriots' final lead was 49-48 in the fourth after a jumper by Kennedy Harris. Harris led George Mason with 26 points. Maryland is off to its best start since winning its first 12 games in 2018-19. George Mason: The Patriots have lost all nine meetings with Maryland, but it's been more competitive of late. The Terps won 86-77 last year, and this game was more competitive than the final score suggested. Maryland: After a down season by their standards, the Terps are off to a nice start, but the free-throw problems in this game nearly cost them. With the score 55-53, George Mason had a chance to tie, but the Patriots never really recovered after Smikle swiped the ball from Harris and went the other way for a three-point play with 3:08 remaining. Although Maryland was awful at the line, at least the Terps got there. George Mason was only 3 of 8 from the stripe, and the Terps held the Patriots to 32% shooting from the field. George Mason faces Navy in this event Sunday. Maryland takes on Toledo. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island is getting a rare presidential visit Monday, the first in 12 years. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are traveling from Washington, D.C. to Staten Island, via a stop at JFK Airport to transfer from Air Force One to the helicopter that will carry them to Miller Field in New Dorp. Touchdown on Staten Island is expected at 5:30 p.m. Once on the borough, a motorcade will whisk the first couple and their entourage to Fort Wadsworth, where they will host a “friendsgiving” event to thank service members and their families at U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York. The route, along Father Capodanno Boulevard, will be closed to traffic for about four hours. The Advance/SILive.com will be providing live updates, below, during the course of the visit. Refresh this page for updates. 4:11 P.M. -- DEPARTING D.C. The Bidens were pictured departing Washington, D.C. on Air Force One. The Bidens depart Washington, D.C. and are headed for New. York. Associated Press They are traveling with a large group including personal assistants, aides and press. 3:53 P.M. -- DISSENT, BUT RESPECT Along Biden’s motorcade route to Fort Wadsworth stands the former Island Shores senior home, which now serves as a shelter for migrants -- one of several opened on Staten Island as the city grappled with an influx of more than 200,000 people who had crossed the border. The shelter has been a flashpoint on Staten Island, with long-standing protests over the course of last year. In the hours leading up to Biden’s arrival, two Staten Islanders took up spots in front of the shelter with signs reading “Stop Biden’s Border Bloodbath“ and ”Trump America First/Biden America Last." “We are very excited to voice our dissent with the policies that Joe Biden has, especially right here at 1111 Father Capodanno Boulevard,” said Kieran Brown of Annadale, who wore a bright red Trump cap. “But at the same time, it is very important that we maintain respect and we show the hospitality of our Island, regardless of political affiliation,” he continued. “We’re good people and we want the best for our country.” 3:42 P.M. -- PREPARING FOR THE PRESIDENT Preparations for the Bidens' visit have been ongoing all weekend and into Monday. On Saturday, Miller Field was closed from 8 to 10 a.m. for an aircraft training exercise, Gateway National Recreation Area announced. Also beginning on Saturday, metal NYPD barricades were set up along Father Capodanno Boulevard, where the motorcade will make its way to Fort Wadsworth. Over the weekend, Borough President Vito Fossella warned Staten Islanders to be prepared for closure along Father Capodanno Boulevard from about 4 - 8 p.m., and announced that the area park and ride lot would be closed. Following a contentious election, Staten Islanders were -- as expected -- split in their take on the presidential visit, with some looking forward to the spectacle and others fuming that the president was visiting a borough where president-elect Donald Trump won the majority of votes three presidential contests in a row. “It’s very interesting; I never thought I’d see a presidential motorcade driving past my house,” Donna Curatola told an Advance/SILive.com reporter on Sunday. “Whatever your views, it’s still the president and not something you see every day.” Meanwhile, a large “F*** Biden” sign was hung from a home on Father Capodanno Boulevard, just past Midland Avenue. By Monday morning there was also a large police presence in the area preparing security measures for the Bidens' arrival in the evening. 3:16 P.M. -- TURKEYS PARDONED IN DC Hours before leaving for Staten Island, Biden held an event in Washington, D.C. where he performed the annual pre-Thanksgiving presidential pardon of two lucky turkeys. President Joe Biden is pictured with John Zimmerman, chair of the National Turkey Federation, from left, and Zimmerman's son Grant, after pardoning the national Thanksgiving turkey Peach during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP AP The 82-year-old president welcomed 2,500 guests to the South Lawn under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom” and sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency after a half-century in Washington power circles. “It’s been the honor of my life. I’m forever grateful,” Biden said, taking note of his impending departure on Jan. 20, 2025. Biden introduced Peach as a bird who “lives by the motto, ‘Keep calm and gobble on.’” Blossom, the president said, has a different motto: “No fowl play. Just Minnesota nice.” *** RECOMMENDED • silive .com With President Biden set to visit Staten Island, residents brace for traffic mess - and a motorcade Nov. 24, 2024, 7:00 p.m. President Biden is visiting Staten Island on Monday, Nov. 25: Here’s his itinerary Nov. 25, 2024, 1:42 p.m. Local reporting by: Erik Bascome, Jessica Jones-Gorman, Paul Liotta, Mike Matteo, Jason Paderon, Jan Somma-Hammel Associated Press material was used in this report.July uprising: Women activists feel sidelined and forgotten