AGP Executive Report

F1 Calendar Shake-Up: Stefano Domenicali says Formula 1 is ready to finish 2026 in Europe if Qatar and Abu Dhabi can’t go ahead, with a decision expected mid-September. Race Relocation: The Bahrain Grand Prix has been moved to Malaysia’s Sepang circuit for Oct. 2–4 and will be branded “Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia,” after April cancellations tied to the Middle East conflict. Local Aviation Boost: DC Aviation Al-Futtaim won standalone CAR-145 approval from San Marino’s SMCAA, expanding maintenance, repair and overhaul services for San Marino (T7)-registered aircraft at Dubai South. Culture & Controversy: Boy George released “We Will Dance Again,” a pro-Israel track sparking backlash over lyrics rejecting genocide claims in Gaza. Arts Loss: Assemblage artist Betye Saar, whose work drew on Pasadena roots, died at 99. Community Note: A South Pasadena fire caused outages affecting San Marino, with no injuries reported.

San Marino Aviation: DC Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF) secured standalone CAR-145 maintenance approval from the San Marino Civil Aviation Authority (SMCAA), expanding line and base MRO services for San Marino (T7)-registered aircraft at Dubai’s Al Maktoum hub. Arts & Culture: Assemblage pioneer Betye Saar, whose work tackled Black identity and racism, died at 99; her Huntington Library installation “Drifting Toward Twilight” remains on view through Nov. 30, 2027. International Spotlight: British pop star Boy George released “We Will Dance Again,” a pro-Israel track tied to the Oct. 7 Nova attacks, sparking intense backlash over lyrics and claims about genocide in Gaza. F1 Update: The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix has been rescheduled to Malaysia’s Sepang circuit (Oct. 2-4) and will be branded “Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.” Local Impact: A South Pasadena fire damaged multiple structures and knocked out power and internet lines affecting thousands of homes in South Pasadena and San Marino; no injuries were reported.

Aviation & Economy: DC Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF) has secured standalone CAR-145 maintenance approval from the San Marino Civil Aviation Authority, expanding aircraft MRO services for San Marino (T7)-registered planes at Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport. Sports & Identity: Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix is being moved to Malaysia’s Sepang circuit for Oct. 2-4, but will still carry “Bahrain” branding—an unusual fix driven by regional instability. Local Diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s ambassador Rashad Aslanov has been recalled, including his post as ambassador to San Marino. Culture: Assemblage artist Betye Saar, closely tied to Pasadena and whose work is shown at the Huntington in San Marino, has died at 99. Community & Safety: A San Marino-linked U.S. senator statement condemned fresh antisemitic vandalism at the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center.

San Marino Diplomacy: Azerbaijan has recalled its ambassador to Italy, Malta, and San Marino, Rashad Fakhraddin Aslanov, and named him ambassador to Türkiye instead, signaling a fresh shift in regional ties. Gaza Debate in Pop Culture: British singer Boy George released a pro-Israel reggae track, “We Will Dance Again,” posting it on X and Instagram with lyrics rejecting “genocide” in favor of “war,” sparking immediate backlash and debate online. F1 Calendar Shake-Up: The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix has been rescheduled to Malaysia’s Sepang circuit on Oct. 4, branded as the “Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia,” after April races were canceled amid the Iran war. Local Community Impact: Pasadena’s Senator Sasha Renée Pérez condemned new antisemitic vandalism at the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, urging accountability while the community rebuilds. Travel Paperwork Reminder: UK airline passport guidance for summer travel is being updated across easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, and TUI, with travelers urged to check destination entry rules before flying.

F1 Reschedule: Formula 1 has confirmed the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix will be staged at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit on Oct. 4, keeping Bahrain branding while moving the race after April cancellations linked to the Middle East situation. Local Diplomacy: Azerbaijan has recalled its ambassador to Italy, Malta and San Marino, and appointed Rashad Aslanov as ambassador to Türkiye. Travel Watch: With summer holidays underway, major airlines’ passport rules for easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and TUI are being highlighted, with travelers urged to check destination entry requirements before flying. Sports (San Marino link): In European qualifiers, Larne’s run continues after beating Tre Fiori of San Marino, while Larne later fell 4-0 to Red Star Belgrade in the first leg. Solo Travel Safety: A new risk index names San Marino among the safest destinations for solo travelers in 2026.

Travel Documents Watch: UK airlines are warning holidaymakers to double-check passport and entry rules before flying, with easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair and TUI all pointing passengers to destination-specific requirements and noting that systems like EES may affect entry planning. F1 Calendar Shake-Up: The 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix has been rescheduled to Malaysia’s Sepang circuit (Oct. 2–4), keeping Bahrain branding while the FIA and F1 finalize approvals. Basketball (U18 EuroBasket): Kosovo and Andorra set up the Division C final after Kosovo beat Albania and Andorra stunned Malta. San Marino Diplomacy: Azerbaijan recalled its ambassador to Italy, Malta and San Marino and appointed Rashad Aslanov as ambassador to Türkiye. Sports (Europe Football): Larne’s European run continues after beating Tre Fiori, but they face a tough second leg against Red Star Belgrade after a 4-0 first-leg loss. Solo Travel Safety: A new risk index names San Marino among the safest countries for solo travellers, topping a list that includes Venezuela, Peru and Gabon at the highest risk end.

F1 Calendar Shake-Up: Formula 1 has confirmed the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix will be held at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit on October 4, officially branded the “Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia,” after April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled amid Middle East tensions. The race will slot between Azerbaijan and Singapore, keeping the season at 23 rounds, with Qatar and Abu Dhabi still under uncertainty. Travel & Safety Spotlight: A Squaremouth report ranks San Marino as the safest solo-travel destination for 2026 (risk index 0.78), while Venezuela tops the riskiest list (9.74), citing factors like healthcare access, safety conditions, and local infrastructure. Diplomatic Update: Azerbaijan has recalled Rashad Aslanov from posts including ambassador to San Marino and appointed him as ambassador to Türkiye.

Sports (San Marino ties): Larne’s European run continues after beating Tre Fiori of San Marino, but they now face a tough Champions League qualifier after a 4-0 first-leg loss to Red Star Belgrade, with the return in Serbia next week. Local sports (San Marino in youth): Malta routed San Marino 106-67 in FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2026 Division C group play, while Kosovo and Andorra set up a Division C final showdown after big wins. Diplomacy (San Marino mentioned): Azerbaijan recalled Ambassador Rashad Fakhraddin Aslanov from posts including San Marino, and appointed Rashad Aslanov as ambassador to Türkiye. Travel (San Marino in the mix): A solo-travel risk index lists San Marino among the safest destinations for 2026. Travel rules (Europe): UK airline passport guidance highlights that travelers should check entry requirements ahead of summer, with EES-related rules affecting some routes. US legal dispute (not San Marino): DHS/ICE renewed a custody push in California over a case involving a daycare assault.

US Immigration Crackdown: DHS/ICE is pressing California “sanctuary” leaders to keep custody of Turkish national Gokhan Bagci, accused in Sacramento of sexually assaulting and raping a 6-year-old daycare worker in July 2025, after ICE filed a detainer and says officials previously refused to cooperate. Diplomatic Shuffle: Azerbaijan recalled Ambassador Rashad Fakhraddin Aslanov from Italy, Malta and San Marino posts and named him ambassador to Türkiye, with Ilham Aliyev signing both orders. San Marino in Sports: Larne’s European run continues after beating Tre Fiori (including the San Marino side), but they face a tough Champions League qualifier vs Red Star Belgrade after a 4-0 first-leg loss. Local Youth Sports: Little League softball regionals are underway across the US, with San Marino National of Southern California set to play Nevada in the West Region. Travel & Borders: Europe’s new biometric EES system is causing long queues at some entry points, while San Marino is listed among the safest solo-travel destinations.

Diplomatic Shake-Up: Azerbaijan recalled Ambassador Rashad Fakhraddin Aslanov from posts including Italy, Malta and San Marino, and named him new ambassador to Türkiye, via presidential orders. Local Planning Watch: A revised bid has been resubmitted to convert the upper floors above a San Marino Italian restaurant in Sankey Bridges into a five-bedroom HMO after an earlier refusal over access, safety and visual impact concerns. Sports—San Marino Connection: Malta beat San Marino 106-67 in FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2026 Division C group play, while Larne’s European run continues after beating Tre Fiori of San Marino to set up a tie with Red Star Belgrade. Global Mobility: A new travel study ranks San Marino among the safest places for solo travellers, while other reports highlight shifting visa and entry rules across Europe. Culture & Community: A profile on hunting for rare San Marino euro coins in everyday circulation spotlights the microstate’s euro deal and collector appeal.

Local Sports Spotlight: Little League softball is heating up across the U.S. with regional tournaments deciding the road to the 2026 World Series, including a West Region Junior League setup in San Bernardino where San Marino National of Southern California faces Nevada in an elimination game on ESPN2. San Marino in the News: San Marino also shows up internationally in sports and diplomacy—Peru’s president received credentials from San Marino’s ambassador in a protocol ceremony in Lima, underscoring ongoing bilateral ties. Global Travel & Safety: A new solo-travel risk index names Venezuela, Peru and Gabon as the riskiest destinations for 2026, while San Marino, Andorra and Singapore top the safest list. Education & Community: San Marino Unified School District highlights another strong year of progress across safety, fiscal health, community and post-graduate success, reinforcing its top-performing status. Culture: Huntington in San Marino, California, continues to display Betye Saar’s “Drifting Toward Twilight” through November 2027.

San Marino in Europe’s spotlight: Larne’s Champions League qualifier vs Red Star Belgrade is back in focus after the Inver Reds were hit 4-0 at home in the first leg, leaving them needing a big turnaround in Belgrade. Local sports ties: Malta beat San Marino 106-67 in FIBA U18 EuroBasket Division C group play, while the wider tournament heads toward the semi-finals. Diplomacy: Peru’s president received credentials from San Marino’s new ambassador in a formal ceremony at the Government Palace in Lima. San Marino on the map for travel: A solo-travel risk index named San Marino the safest country for solo travellers, scoring 0.78. Education: San Marino Unified School District highlighted a year of top rankings and renewed accreditation at a board meeting. Global business policy: OECD data says Morocco’s corporate tax rate rose to 35% in 2026, placing it alongside San Marino among the highest. Sports coaching: Olympic medalist Myles Amine, who competed for San Marino, was appointed assistant coach at Stanford wrestling.

Diplomatic Appointments: Peru’s president, José María Balcázar, received the credentials of San Marino’s new ambassador in a protocol ceremony at the Government Palace in Lima, with both sides stressing stronger bilateral ties. Travel Safety Watch: A new solo-traveller risk index named San Marino among the safest countries for 2026, scoring it near the top for low risk—while Venezuela, Peru and Gabon topped the riskiest list. Sports & San Marino Connections: Stanford wrestling has hired Olympic bronze medalist Myles Amine, who competed for San Marino and won the country’s first Olympic wrestling medal. Local Education Spotlight: San Marino Unified School District highlighted a record year at a board meeting, citing top national rankings, renewed accreditation, and strong post-graduation outcomes. European Football: Larne’s European run continues after beating San Marino’s Tre Fiori, setting up a glamour tie against Red Star Belgrade. International Mobility: Coverage also notes ongoing European border friction tied to the EES biometric system, while highlighting that some non-Schengen countries—relevant to travellers—aren’t subject to it.

EU-Relations Update: The EU Council has given the green light for the signing and provisional application of a comprehensive association agreement with Andorra and San Marino, aiming to deepen ties and expand participation in an enlarged internal market, with financial services access set to be gradual and tied to regulatory reviews. Local Spotlight: San Marino Unified School District is highlighting another strong year, with board-goal progress spanning safety and wellness, fiscal health, community, and post-graduate success. International Connections: In Belgrade, Serbia’s EXPO 2027 commissioner Federico Pedini Amati met Serbian officials to discuss San Marino’s potential participation, as Serbia prepares a new EXPO city and more countries confirm attendance. Community Notes: U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu named a San Marino resident, Antra Shah, as a finalist in a competition. Culture & Travel: A travel-style feature on San Marino includes a “coin hunt” idea—chasing rare San Marino euro coins in everyday change rather than buying them outright.

EU Deal Watch: The EU Council has greenlit the signing and provisional application of a new association agreement with Andorra and San Marino, aiming for closer ties and participation in an enlarged internal market, with financial services access to come gradually after regulatory checks. Local Sports Spotlight: Larne’s Champions League qualifier is in trouble after a 4-0 first-leg loss to Red Star Belgrade, while San Marino’s Tre Fiori were eliminated earlier by Larne. San Marino Talent: Olympic medalist Myles Amine has been named assistant coach for Stanford wrestling, returning to the sport after winning San Marino’s first Olympic wrestling medal. Community & Education: San Marino Unified School District highlighted another strong year at its board meeting, citing top rankings, accreditation renewal, and student success. Travel & Borders: Europe’s new biometric entry-exit system is causing long queues in some places, while several countries are not required to use it. International Affairs: Serbia’s EXPO 2027 commissioner Federico Pedini Amati met Serbian officials to discuss San Marino’s potential participation in Belgrade next year.

EU ties for San Marino: The EU Council has greenlit and set up provisional application of a new association agreement with Andorra and San Marino, aiming for closer cooperation and wider participation in an enlarged internal market, with financial services access to come gradually after regulatory reviews. San Marino on the EXPO 2027 radar: San Marino tourism officials met Serbia’s EXPO 2027 commissioner in Belgrade to discuss a possible pavilion and how the event could boost international partnerships. Sports spotlight with a San Marino link: Larne’s Champions League qualifier story continues after they beat Tre Fiori (San Marino) 3-1 on aggregate, then fell 4-0 at home to Red Star Belgrade in the first leg of the next round. Local community news: San Marino Unified School District highlighted a record year at its board meeting, citing top statewide rankings, accreditation renewal, and strong post-graduate outcomes. Olympic wrestling milestone: Myles Amine, who won San Marino’s first Olympic wrestling medal, was named assistant coach at Stanford wrestling.