AGP Executive Report

San Marino Football: Bangladesh’s new coach Thomas Dooley has taken his squad to San Marino for a June 5 friendly at the San Marino Stadium, with midfielder Hamza Choudhury joining the camp and goalkeeper Anisur Rahman “Zico” returning after a 19-month absence. Dooley says his plan is possession-based, with coordinated pressing and players not “chasing the ball.” Local Sports Spotlight: The match is Bangladesh’s first European friendly and a chance to kick off Dooley’s era against a San Marino side that regularly competes at a high level. International Travel Note: Germany has waived the airport transit visa requirement for Indian nationals transiting by air through German airports, effective June 3, easing travel between India and Germany. Heritage & Diplomacy: Captains Regent Alice Mina and Vladimiro Selva sent congratulatory messages to President Ilham Aliyev, while San Marino also appears among countries backing a UN condemnation of a Russian drone violation of Romanian airspace. Arts & Culture: Pope Leo XIV is set to visit San Marino on Aug. 22.

Bangladesh–San Marino Football: Bangladesh’s new coach Thomas Dooley has kicked off his first era with a 23-man squad and the team has arrived in San Marino for a FIFA friendly on June 5, with midfielder Hamza Chowdhury joining camp and saying he’s ready for the challenge. Local Sports Spotlight: San Marino’s Yilin Wu won the women’s half-marathon at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego, adding to a weekend of standout California performances. Border & Travel Update: Germany has removed the airport transit visa requirement for Indian nationals transiting by air through German airports, effective June 3, easing onward travel. International Policy: A joint statement by 56 countries and the EU condemned a Russian drone violation of Romanian airspace at the UN Security Council. Heritage & Diplomacy: Mayors at the Global Mayors Dialogue in Huangshan focused on long-term heritage protection over short-term gains, with San Marino’s mayor Andrea Crescentini highlighted in coverage. Business Deal Watch: Caesars Entertainment has agreed to be acquired by Fertitta Entertainment in a $17.6B deal, with local officials in Virginia expecting no noticeable operational changes if approved.

San Marino Football: Bangladesh’s new coach Thomas Dooley has named a 23-man squad for the team’s first-ever friendly on European soil, with the match against San Marino set for June 5 at the San Marino Stadium. Dooley says he wants possession-based, positional football and has brought back experienced goalkeeper Anisur Rahman “Zico,” plus recalls for Isa Faisal and Rafiqul Islam. Pope Visit: Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to travel to the Republic of San Marino on Aug. 22, following an invitation from the country’s former captains regent. Sports Calendar: San Marino is also in the spotlight at the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in Gibraltar (June 23–28), where the team will play in Group A. Local Community: Pasadena Chorale’s free SummerSing choir camp runs June 22–26 at San Marino Community Church, offering students in grades 7–12 daily music training at no cost. Research Honor: USC has recognized San Marino resident Amy Lee with a 2026 Faculty Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of work on glucose-regulated proteins.

Local Sports & Community: Bangladesh’s national team has left Dhaka for San Marino for its first European friendly, with new coach Thomas Dooley naming a 23-man squad and aiming for possession-based football ahead of the June 5 match at San Marino Stadium. International Spotlight: Pope Leo XIV is set to visit San Marino on Aug. 22, with Vatican plans placing the trip in the morning and linking it to events in Rimini. Regional Governance: Mayors meeting in Huangshan focused on heritage conservation over short-term gains, warning that damaging authenticity can hurt long-term prosperity. San Marino in Europe’s Sports Calendar: The FIBA European Championship for Small Countries runs June 23-28 in Gibraltar, with San Marino in Group A alongside Gibraltar, Andorra and Malta. Science & Local Pride: USC honored San Marino resident Amy Lee with a 2026 Faculty Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of work on glucose-regulated proteins tied to cancer, metabolism and disease. Culture & Travel: ETIAS is expected to launch in late 2026 with a €20 fee, but most travelers booking now won’t need to worry yet.

Bangladesh-San Marino Football: Bangladesh’s new coach Thomas Dooley has sent a 23-man squad to San Marino for the June 5 friendly, with goalkeeper Anisur Rahman “Zico” returning after 19 months away. Dooley says he wants possession-based football and won’t be distracted by bigger-name matches. FIBA Small Countries: San Marino is set to play at the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in Gibraltar (June 23-28), with the group including San Marino, Gibraltar, Andorra and Malta. Pope Visit: Pope Leo XIV will travel to San Marino on Aug. 22 as part of a pastoral trip tied to Rimini events. Local Sports Spotlight: San Marino’s Yilin Wu won the women’s half-marathon at the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego. Travel Rules Watch: Wizz Air warns UK travelers to arrive up to three hours early due to EES border checks and biometric registration delays. San Marino in the News: Captains Regent Alice Mina and Vladimiro Selva sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on Independence Day.

Bangladesh–San Marino Football: New coach Thomas Dooley sent Bangladesh off for their first-ever friendly on European soil, with a 23-man squad including goalkeeper Anisur Rahman “Zico” returning after 19 months, ahead of the June 5 match at San Marino Stadium. Local Sports Spotlight: The same week, San Marino’s Eurovision connection stayed in the headlines as Boy George—who guested with Senhit in 2026—pushed for writing a future UK entry after the song failed to reach the final. Border and Travel Watch: Wizz Air warned British travelers to arrive up to three hours early as Europe’s Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric checks keep causing long queues, with ETIAS still expected later in 2026. Culture and Community: Pope Leo XIV is set to visit San Marino on Aug. 22, adding another major international moment for the microstate. Public Life: Pasadena firefighters contained a Sunday house fire to one room, but a resident was displaced after hoarding conditions hampered crews; mutual aid included San Marino Fire.

San Marino Football Spotlight: Bangladesh’s new coach Thomas Dooley has named a 23-man squad for the FIFA friendly against San Marino on June 5, with goalkeeper Anisur Rahman “Zico” returning after 19 months away and Dooley stressing a possession-and-positional style. Pope Visit to San Marino: Pope Leo XIV is set to travel to the Republic of San Marino on Aug. 22, with the Vatican saying the visit will take place in the morning and include activities in the Diocese of Rimini and the Rimini Meeting. San Marino in the News Beyond Sports: San Marino’s Captains Regent Alice Mina and Vladimiro Selva sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on Independence Day. Europe Travel Rules: ETIAS is expected to launch in late 2026 (not yet needed for most trips), while the EES border system is already fully operational across Schengen. Global Business Watch: Tilman Fertitta’s Entertainment is moving to acquire Caesars in a $17.6B deal, pending regulatory approvals.

FIFA Friendly: Bangladesh’s national team has left Dhaka for San Marino for their first-ever European friendly, with new coach Thomas Dooley naming a 23-man squad and leaning on experienced players like keeper Anisur Rahman “Zico” ahead of the June 5 match at San Marino Stadium. Local Sports & Coaching: Dooley says his plan is possession-based, with players not “chasing the ball,” and he’s prioritizing tactical work over big-match distractions like the Champions League final. Pope in San Marino: Pope Leo XIV is set to visit the Republic of San Marino on Aug. 22, with Vatican details confirming a morning program and events tied to Rimini’s major religious and cultural calendar. Diplomacy: San Marino’s Captains Regent Alice Mina and Vladimiro Selva sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on Independence Day. Sanctions Watch: The U.S. Treasury and State Department expanded “maximum pressure” sanctions tied to Iran’s oil trade, including tankers and companies linked to maritime activity involving flags that include San Marino. Eurovision Buzz: Boy George, who guested with San Marino’s 2026 entry, says he wants to write a future UK Eurovision song and questions the contest’s automatic qualifiers.

Papal Visit Confirmed: Pope Leo XIV will travel to the Republic of San Marino on Aug. 22, with Vatican details saying the visit will be in the morning and include activities tied to Rimini’s major Catholic events. Eurovision Spotlight: Boy George, who guested with San Marino’s 2026 entry led by Senhit, says he wants to write the UK’s next Eurovision song and argues the contest isn’t an even playing field due to automatic qualifiers. Bangladesh Football Ties to San Marino: New Bangladesh coach Thomas Dooley named a 23-man squad for a June 5 friendly against San Marino, with goalkeeper Anisur Rahman “Zico” returning after a long absence. Major Business Deal: Tilman Fertitta’s firm agreed to buy Caesars Entertainment in a $17.6B all-cash deal, pending regulatory approval, a move that would reshape the US casino landscape. US-Iran Pressure: The US Treasury and State Department announced fresh sanctions targeting Iran-linked oil networks, including tankers and companies flagged for shipping activity.

San Marino Football: Bangladesh coach Thomas Dooley named a 23-man squad for the June 5 friendly in San Marino, with veteran goalkeeper Anisur Rahman “Zico” returning after a 19-month absence. Pope & Diplomacy: Pope Leo XIV is set to visit San Marino on Aug. 22, with Vatican plans placing the stop in the morning before Rimini later that day. San Marino in Sports (Tennis): Ireland’s Sinead Lohan will lead a Billie Jean King Cup team playing in San Marino June 17-20, aiming for promotion in Europe Group III. Local Governance & Community: Pasadena will waive transit fares on Election Day, June 2, including paratransit service for riders in Pasadena, Altadena, and San Marino. International Spotlight: Boy George, who guested with San Marino at Eurovision 2026, says he wants to write the UK’s next Eurovision entry.

Papal Visit: Pope Leo XIV is set to visit the Republic of San Marino on Aug. 22, with Vatican plans placing the stop in the morning before events in Rimini later that day. Diplomatic Ties: Captains Regent Alice Mina and Vladimiro Selva sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev for Independence Day. Eurovision Buzz: Boy George, who appeared with San Marino’s Senhit at Eurovision 2026, says he wants to write the UK’s next entry and criticized the “Big Five” automatic qualifiers for making the contest “not an even playing field.” Local Spotlight: A San Marino-linked aviation milestone: Fly Alliance secured a San Marino AOC for its Global Express aircraft. International Pressure: The U.S. Treasury announced new sanctions tied to Iran’s oil trade, including vessels flying the San Marino flag. Business Watch: In the wider region, Fertitta Entertainment agreed to buy Caesars Entertainment in a $17.6B deal—big news for the U.S. casino industry.

Pope Visit Confirmed: Pope Leo XIV will visit the Republic of San Marino on Saturday, August 22, with the stop scheduled for the morning—his second trip to a European microstate after Monaco. US Sanctions Watch: The U.S. Treasury announced new sanctions on 25 people, companies, and vessels tied to Iran’s crude oil trade, including ships flying flags linked to San Marino. Local Spotlight via Sports & Culture: Boy George—who represented San Marino at Eurovision 2026—says he wants to write the UK’s next Eurovision entry, while Rai released televoting results showing San Marino placed 3rd in Semi-Final 1. Business Ties: Fly Alliance secured a San Marino air operator’s certificate for its Global Express unit, and the Pope’s visit also intersects with U.S. ambassador Tilman Fertitta’s San Marino connection. Regional Note: A Cyprus–Lebanon ferry route resumes June 9 using a vessel flagged in San Marino.

San Marino Diplomacy: Pope Leo XIV is set to visit the Republic of San Marino on the morning of August 22, before heading to Rimini for the Meeting for Friendship among Peoples. Local Economy & Energy: San Marino’s public utility AASS has launched a call for investors to sell solar projects or development-stage companies, aiming to boost domestic renewable generation and cut reliance on imported electricity. Aviation & Business: Fly Alliance (San Marino) has secured a San Marino air operator’s certificate for operations using a Global Express, with plans to expand services later, including an India launch. Sports (San Marino on the calendar): The Eurovision 2026 results show San Marino ranking 3rd in Semi-Final 1 televoting, while separate coverage notes Bangladesh’s June 5 friendly against San Marino and a June 17–20 Billie Jean King Cup event in San Marino. International Spotlight: A major U.S. casino deal is in motion as Fertitta Entertainment agrees to buy Caesars for about $17.6 billion, with Fertitta also tied to San Marino via his ambassador role.

Aviation & Business: Fly Alliance says its San Marino unit has secured a San Marino air operator’s certificate (AOC) with Global Express, with certification issued in May and the jet already active in test operations. Energy & Investment: San Marino’s public utility AASS has launched an expression-of-interest program to buy solar assets or development-stage companies, aiming to cut reliance on imported electricity and improve long-term price stability. Football (San Marino link): Bangladesh has named a 30-man preliminary squad for its June 5 friendly against San Marino under new coach Thomas Dooley, with several expat players set to join directly in San Marino. Eurovision (San Marino vote): Rai published televoting results for Eurovision 2026, showing San Marino placed 3rd in Semi-Final 1 with 10.86%. Sports Memorabilia: Gilles Villeneuve’s helmet from the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix sold for a record US$1.25 million. Local Culture: A week of community events is highlighted, including music-heavy festival picks and family-friendly activities.

Energy & Investment: San Marino’s public utility AASS has launched an expression-of-interest drive to buy solar projects or development-stage companies, aiming to cut reliance on imported electricity and boost renewables; projects can be operating, under construction, or ready to build, with commissioning targeted by Dec. 31, 2026. Football & International Fixtures: Bangladesh has named a 30-man preliminary squad for its June 5 friendly against San Marino, with goalkeeper Anisur Rahman “Zico” returning and new coach Thomas Dooley leading a first-ever European trip for the team. Local Sports & Community: Memorial Day coverage highlights the Condor Squadron flyover and traditional color guard ceremonies across South Pasadena, Pasadena, and San Marino’s area—marking those who didn’t come home. Public Safety: In the wider region, officials say evacuations were lifted after a major threat from a ruptured flammable tank incident in Garden Grove, with thousands still kept away before the all-clear. Politics & Diplomacy: A coalition of 50 UN member states, including San Marino, condemned Russia’s escalating attacks on civilians and threats to diplomatic institutions in Ukraine.

Aviation Update: Türkiye’s JetGlobe is back in the air after an eight-month pause, adding a 2004-built Challenger 604 to its fleet—one more jet in a lineup that already includes multiple Falcons and Gulfstream operations. Ukraine Diplomacy: 50 UN member states, including San Marino, condemned Russia’s escalating attacks on civilians and threats to diplomatic institutions, calling for an immediate halt. Local Government: Pasadena Humane Society’s $10.5 million, five-year animal care contract renewal heads to the Public Safety Committee for review ahead of a city decision. Sports Spotlight: CIF Southern Section baseball finals are set, with St. John Bosco returning to the D1 final against Norco after playoff wins. Community & Culture: Newport Beach marked its tourism legacy with a Balboa Island Museum exhibit opening, featuring retro performances tied to the city’s 120-year “Welcome” story. San Marino Angle: The week also included San Marino’s solar acquisition push—AASS seeking investors to buy solar projects to cut reliance on imported power.