In response to the explosion at the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic on Saturday, May 17, Dr. Maher Abdallah, who runs the clinic, posted this statement on Facebook:

“We. Choose. Hope.

This morning, an unexpected and tragic incident occurred outside our Palm Springs facility when a vehicle exploded in the parking lot near our building.

See related story: 1 dead in apparent car explosion damaging Palm Springs fertility clinic

We are heartbroken to learn that this event claimed a life and caused injuries, and our deepest condolences go out to the individuals and families affected.

We are immensely grateful to share that no members of the ARC team were harmed, and our lab—including all eggs, embryos, and reproductive materials—remains fully secure and undamaged. We are heavily conducting a complete safety inspection and have confirmed that our operations and sensitive medical areas were not impacted by the blast.

Our mission has always been to help build families, and in times like these, we are reminded of just how fragile and precious life is. In the face of this tragedy, we remain committed to creating hope—because we believe that healing begins with community, compassion, and care.

Out of every tragedy, there is an opportunity to come together with deeper purpose. While today’s events have shaken us all, they also shine a light on the strength of our community, the bravery of our first responders, and the resilience of the families we serve.

At ARC, we believe in creating life—not just in the biological sense, but in the emotional and spiritual sense, too. We see this moment as a reminder to hold loved ones close, to show kindness whenever possible, and to continue our work with even more intention and heart. From adversity, we choose hope.

ARC will be fully operational on Monday morning, and our team is here to answer any concerns you may have. We appreciate the incredible support from our patients and local community, as well as the swift action of Palm Springs Police, Fire, and emergency responders.

This moment has shaken us—but it has not stopped us. We will continue to serve with strength, love, and the hope that brings new life into the world.

With heartfelt gratitude.”

1 dead in apparent car explosion damaging Palm Springs fertility clinic

Friends and family congregated at 16th Street in Hermosa Beach on Saturday morning, May 17, to celebrate the life of surfer and filmmaker Greg Browning.

Known for his movie series “Drive Thru,” Browning died from complications related to ALS in April, but Saturday’s paddle out, as well as a celebration of life at Dive N’ Surf in Redondo Beach, was about the man whose favorite saying was, “Be cool to everybody,” according to his brother, Jeff Browning.

The paddle out, which began around 9 a.m., drew about 300 to 400 people. There were also three photos of Browning and one of a memorial at the 16th Street storm basin, which attendees were signing.

The celebration of life at Dive N’ Surf, meanwhile, featured stories about Greg Browning, who grew up around 11th Street in Hermosa Beach, as well as pictures and screenings of some of his films featuring iconic surfers — like himself.

Greg Browning was known not only as a filmmaker and surfer, but also as a family man. He was also known for having a great sense of humor and being a fan of “Star Wars.”

Browning was inducted into the Surfers Walk of Fame in Hermosa Beach in 2024, and was a surfing coach, serving as a beloved mentor to champion surfers like Tatiana Weston-Webb and Carissa Moore.

In August 2023, he was diagnosed with incurable Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Browning was 50 years old at the time of his death.

Freelance photographer Gil Castro-Petres contributed to this report.

By Wafaa Shurafa, Zeke Miller and Samy Magdy | Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Hamas said Sunday that the last living American hostage in Gaza, Edan Alexander, will be released as part of efforts to establish a ceasefire, reopen crossings into the Israeli-blockaded territory and resume the delivery of aid. Two Hamas officials told The Associated Press they expect the release in the next 48 hours.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed late Sunday in a message to AP that Hamas had agreed to release Alexander as a good will gesture toward Trump.

The announcement of the first hostage release since Israel shattered a ceasefire in March comes shortly before Trump visits the Middle East this week. It highlighted the willingness of Israel’s closest ally to inject momentum into ceasefire talks for the 19-month war as desperation grows among hostages’ families and Gaza’s over 2 million people under the new Israeli blockade.

“This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones,” Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday evening. “Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!”

Alexander is an Israeli-American soldier who grew up in New Jersey. He was abducted from his base during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that ignited the war in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the U.S. informed it of Hamas’ intent to release Alexander “without compensation or conditions” and that the step is expected to lead to negotiations on a truce. Netanyahu’s government was angered by U.S. direct talks with Hamas earlier this year — which led to a Hamas offer to release Alexander and the bodies of four other hostages if Israel recommitted to a stalled ceasefire deal. Days later, however, Israel resumed the war.

Witkoff told the AP that Hamas’ goal in releasing Alexander was to restart talks on a ceasefire, the release of additional hostages and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza before Israel carries out a threatened total takeover of the territory.

Khalil al-Hayyah, a Hamas leader in Gaza, said the group has been in contact with the U.S. administration over the past few days.

Al-Hayyah said in a statement Hamas is ready to “immediately start intensive negotiations” to reach a final deal for a long-term truce, which includes an end to the war, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and hostages in Gaza and the handing over of power in Gaza to an independent body of technocrats.

Indirect talks between Hamas and the U.S. began five days ago, an Egyptian official and a senior Hamas official told the AP, with both describing the release of Alexander as a gesture of goodwill.

The senior Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said Alexander is expected to be released on Monday. Hamas was advised to “give a gift to President Trump and in return he will give back a better one,” the official said.

Another Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss negotiations, said Alexander’s release is expected in the next 48 hours, adding that it requires Israel to pause fighting for a couple of hours.

The Egyptian official involved in ceasefire negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss talks, said Hamas received assurances from the Trump administration through Egyptian and Qatari mediators that Alexander’s release “will put all files on the negotiating table” including an end to the war.

Alexander’s parents did not immediately return requests for comment.

Trump and Witkoff have frequently mentioned Alexander, now 21, by name in the past few months. Witkoff was traveling to the region on Monday ahead of Alexander’s expected release.

“Every time they say Edan’s name, it’s like they didn’t forget. They didn’t forget he’s American, and they’re working on it,” Edan’s mother, Yael Alexander, told The Associated Press earlier this year.

Hamas released a video of Alexander in November during the Thanksgiving weekend, his mother said. The video was difficult to watch as he cried and pleaded for help, but it was a relief to see the latest sign that he was alive, she said.

The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostage.

Israel’s offensive has killed over 52,800 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were combatants or civilians. The offensive has destroyed vast areas of the territory and displaced some 90% of its population.

Fifty-nine hostages are still in Gaza, around a third of them believed to be alive. Most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. The Hostages Families Forum, the grassroots forum representing most hostage families, said Alexander’s release “must mark the beginning of a comprehensive agreement” that will free everyone.

Trump, whose administration has voiced full support for Israel’s actions, is set to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates this week in a regional tour.

Bombardment continues

Israeli strikes overnight and into Sunday killed 15 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to local health officials.

Two strikes hit tents in the southern city of Khan Younis, each killing two children and their parents, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies. Another seven people were killed in strikes elsewhere, including a man and his child in a Gaza City neighborhood, according to hospitals and Gaza’s Health Ministry.

The Israeli military says it only targets militants and tries to avoid harming civilians. It blames Hamas for civilian deaths in the 19-month-old war because the militants are embedded in densely populated areas.

Israel has sealed Gaza off from all imports, including food, medicine and emergency shelter, for over 10 weeks in what it says is a pressure tactic aimed at forcing Hamas to release hostages. Israel in March shattered the ceasefire that had facilitated the release of more than 30 hostages.

Aid groups say the humanitarian crisis is worse than at any time in the war, with food running low.

Israel recovers remains of soldier killed in Lebanon in 1982

In a separate development, Israel said it retrieved the remains of a soldier killed in a 1982 battle in southern Lebanon after he had been classified as missing for more than four decades.

The Israeli military said Sgt. 1st Class Tzvi Feldman’s remains were recovered from deep inside Syria, without providing further details.

Netanyahu visited Feldman’s surviving siblings and told them that the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad late last year led to an “opportunity” that allowed the military and the Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, to gather additional intelligence and locate and retrieve the body, according to video released by his office.

Feldman went missing, along with five other Israeli soldiers, in a battle with Syrian forces in the Lebanese town of Sultan Yaaqoub.

Magdy reported from Cairo and Miller from Washington. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue in Beirut, Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

The three-day country music festival that takes over Brea Downtown each year continues Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18.

The always popular Brea Bonanza Days will feature the Morgan Leigh Band at 3 p.m. and a tribute band to Toby Keith at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday is capped off with Franklin Wall playing at 3 p.m. and The Pistold Blonde at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

There are line dancing lessons all weekend and even a play spot for kids.

If you go

When: Event space opens at noon on Saturday and Sunday, with a DJ playing before the bands

Where: Birch Street, Brea Downtown

Cost: Free general admission; VIP seating options are available

Information: breadowntown.com

It’s rivalry week in Major League Soccer and the Galaxy are fighting against two opponents.

The first is the Los Angeles Football Club. The annual heated El Trafico series kicks off Sunday at Dignity Health Sports Park. The teams will meet again July 19.

The other is themselves.

Nothing has gone right for the reigning MLS champions this season. The only win came in the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 against CS Herediano. In league play, the Galaxy are winless through the first 13 games.

“Thirteen games, it’s tough,” midfielder Diego Fagundez said. “Right now we’re taking it a game at a time and we have our rivals coming to town, and we need to make sure that that game is a win and we put ourselves ahead and we give it our all. We need to show fans the kind of courage and players we want to be.

“Whoever is out there doesn’t matter. We’re not friends. We go to war and give it our all. Show them that we’re actually passionate and show them how much we want to win.”

After one historic season, the Galaxy (0-10-3) are off to another one, but at the opposite end. The Galaxy have only three points and have scored just 10 goals and allowed 31. LAFC (6-4-3, 21 points), meanwhile, hasn’t lost in six games (3-0-3) and resides in fifth place in the Western Conference.

“Mentally, I think as a team we’re all together and that’s the good thing about it,” Fagundez said. “We haven’t lost each other. We haven’t lost the group. That’s the huge part, but now we need to be mentally in games. Like when you’re up 2-0 (Wednesday against Philadelphia), we know 2-0 is a dangerous lead in soccer. Someone scores one and all the momentum goes their way.

“For us, we need to be smarter in that. We were up 2-0. We don’t really have to go find a third. We can play our game making sure that we keep it to zero in the back. In the end of the day, if we keep it to zero in the back we don’t lose the game. It’s another punch to the face. It hurts really bad and we see it on people’s faces, on our fans. We are all frustrated. The Galaxy are the best team in MLS, and right now we are not showing that.”

The Galaxy definitely aren’t at the championship level of last season, which was expected with the departures of several key pieces, like Mark Delgado, Dejan Joveljić and Gaston Brugman, along with the absence of injured star midfielder Riqui Puig.

“Each guy that we lost, there’s a percentage of who we were that went out the door,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said earlier this month. “And now we are trying to add new guys, build them up, get them to the same level.”

General manager Will Kuntz has said that “we pushed our chips into the middle of the table last year” to go for the championship. The Galaxy haven’t received consistent production from the young players that were brought in to replace last year’s group.

“I really believe that we’re much, much better than a 3-point team,” Kuntz said. “The group is not despondent. I think that’s the thing you worry about the most is do guys start to checking out or worrying about their own personal agendas. I think everybody just kind of feels a lot of pressure. Everybody feels like we’re letting ourselves down, we’re letting the supporters down and we believe a turnaround is coming and we think we have a really good opportunity to show that this coming Sunday.

Just like in 2023, the Galaxy have been hit by the perfect storm, but were able to regroup and transform into an MLS Cup-winning team. Vanney has said that every year is its own journey, but added they can draw on how they made it through 2023.

“That (2023) is a very important lesson for all of us in managing difficult situations,” said Vanney, whose contract was extended Friday through the 2028 season. “We understood that year what the plan was going to be to get out of it and where we would be. Yes, there’s a short-term inside of this where every game and every training session and every meeting matters toward this group being successful and winning the next match and taking points and going.

“As you prepare a team forward, you’ve got to be 12 months, sometimes more than 12 months, out in front of a plan in order for that plan to carry through. I think 2023 was a great example. We had opportunities to add players during the course of the season. We chose not to, because we knew what our plan was going to be at the end of the season. And we chose to be patient and act on it and that put us in a position to win a championship in 2024. I think there has to be some decision-making inside of a broader plan and not just a reactive day-to-day, sort of just trying to put your fingers in the dam to stop the bleeding.

“This group cares, they’re trying, they’re working. Inside of that, you do want to have a certain amount of being calm and being relaxed and being confident and being the things that you need to be to be best version of yourself. And that’s the thing I’m working to try to draw off of these guys so that they can go out on the field and be the best version of themselves.”

LAFC at GALAXY

When: 6 p.m. Sunday

Where: Dignity Health Sports Park

How to watch: Apple TV+, Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)