AGP Executive Report

Oil Spill Response: Senator Sasha Renée Pérez says crews contained an East Los Angeles underground pipeline rupture that spilled about 2,400 gallons of crude oil into storm drains, while state and local teams assess impacts on nearby residents and she calls for a full investigation and accountability. World Cup 2026 Watch: Al Jazeera highlights big names missing the tournament, including Georgia’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Poland’s Robert Lewandowski after their nations failed to qualify. UEFA Format Shake-Up: UEFA proposes a Champions League-style qualifying revamp for the 2030 World Cup and Euro 2032, aiming to cut one-sided matchups by separating top teams into a League 1 tier. Local Culture & Community: Pride Source won five Detroit SPJ awards for its LGBTQ+ coverage, while the Huntington Library’s Rose Garden—home to 1,300+ rose varieties—remains a standout San Marino draw. Transit & Sports: Pasadena Transit and LA-area agencies waive fares for Bike Day, and Southern Section baseball playoff results set the next round matchups.

UEFA Shake-Up: UEFA has proposed a Champions League-style revamp for men’s 2030 World Cup and Euro 2032 qualifying, splitting Europe’s top 36 into three groups of 12 and keeping elite teams away from minnows like San Marino and Andorra—aimed at ending predictable blowouts. Local Transit: Pasadena Transit, Metro and Metrolink are waiving fares today for Bike Day, with free rides across LA County to encourage cycling. Immigration Pressure: Senator Pérez backed detainees on hunger strike at Adelanto’s ICE facility, pushing for stronger statewide inspection rules for private detention centers. Luxury Watch Fraud: California prosecutors filed 23 felony counts against former Pasadena jeweler Nelson Andres Holdo, accused of taking nearly $1.5 million for Rolex watches that never arrived. Aviation Update: Gama Aviation (San Marino) received its air operator’s certificate (AOC #SM-007), signaling new charter plans.

UEFA Shake-Up: UEFA has proposed a Champions League-style revamp for men’s 2030 World Cup and Euro 2032 qualifying, splitting Europe’s top 36 teams into three groups of 12 and keeping them away from minnows like San Marino and Andorra—each team would play six matches against six different opponents, with a decision due in September. Local Transit & Community: Pasadena Transit and LA Metro are waiving fares today for Bike Day, with free rides across buses, trains, and shuttles (and free Metrolink rides for riders boarding with a bike). Immigration Pressure: Senator Sasha Renée Pérez backed a hunger strike at Adelanto’s ICE detention site, calling for better medical care, food, oversight, and accountability. Fraud Case Hits San Marino Links: California AG Rob Bonta filed 23 felony counts against former Pasadena jeweler Nelson Andres Holdo, accused of a $1.5 million “phantom Rolex” scam involving stores tied to San Marino. Sports & Travel: Bangladesh’s new men’s coach Thomas Dooley is set to arrive in Dhaka Friday; and Thailand is rolling back visa-free stays for 93 countries to 30 days.

Aviation Milestone: Gama Aviation San Marino has received its air operator’s certificate (AOC) #SM-007, a fresh document tied to a Citation Jet 1 based in Munich Augsburg, with the company already operating under the “GSR” code since April 29 and planning to bring in two G280s by mid-2026 for charter. World Cup Ticket Watch: Austria’s World Cup campaign is set to kick off June 16 vs Jordan, and official ticket lotteries are now over, pushing fans toward limited last-minute sales. Euro Qualifying Shake-Up: UEFA is redesigning men’s tournament qualifiers for 2030 with a Champions League-style two-tier system, aiming to stop big teams from repeatedly playing minnows like San Marino. Local Sports: Trinity Classical Academy punched into the CIF Southern Section baseball quarterfinals after a home win over Troy. Demographics Alarm: A new fertility-rate snapshot shows San Marino among the lowest in Europe, as more countries face long-term population decline.

Demography Panic: A new global fertility-rate snapshot shows the world’s richest countries are now facing the opposite of overpopulation—people simply aren’t having enough babies. Among the lowest rates in 2025: Macao (0.69), Hong Kong (0.74), South Korea (0.75)… and San Marino at 1.16—raising fears of labor shortages and aging societies. Major Fraud Case: California’s AG filed felony charges against former Pasadena jeweler Nelson Andres Holdo, accused of a $1.5 million “phantom Rolex” scheme that prosecutors say left 22 victims out of pocket. UEFA Shake-Up: UEFA approved a Champions League-style qualifying overhaul for the 2030 World Cup and Euro 2032, designed to cut mismatches—meaning England won’t face minnows like San Marino or Andorra in the group stage. Local Sports: Trinity Classical Academy punched into the CIF Southern Section Division 6 quarterfinals with a home win over Troy. Eurovision Aftermath: Bulgaria won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, with Israel second and the UK finishing with “nul points” in the public vote.

UEFA Overhaul: UEFA has agreed a new men’s qualifying format aimed at ending lopsided matchups—starting after Euro 2028—by using Nations League rankings and a Champions League-style setup with bigger groups and six games per team, so major sides like England won’t keep drawing minnows such as San Marino. World Cup/Euro Roadmap: The same direction is set for 2030 World Cup and Euro 2032, with a top tier of the 36 best-ranked teams split into three groups of 12, plus a second tier feeding into playoffs. Routes Europe Handoff: In aviation, Routes Europe 2026’s hosting duties have moved to the 2027 team in Antalya, with Rimini and San Marino’s airport partners formally handing over. Local Sports: CIF Southern Section baseball playoff results are in, including Saugus beating San Marino 11-10, and quarterfinal matchups set for May 22. Travel Rules: Thailand is tightening entry—visa-free stays for more than 30 days are ending for citizens from 93 countries, including the UK.

Iran Sanctions Escalate: The U.S. Treasury has rolled out fresh Iran-related sanctions, adding more than 50 new designations and targeting 19 tankers tied to Tehran’s shadow banking and shipping networks, as President Trump says he’s delaying a new round of attacks while negotiations continue. Eurovision Aftermath: In Vienna, Bulgaria won Eurovision 2026 with Dara’s “Bangaranga,” while Israel finished second and the UK crashed to the bottom with “nul points,” amid a boycott that kept several countries away. Gaza Flotilla Tensions: Israeli forces intercepted Gaza-bound flotillas near Cyprus, with organizers saying dozens of boats were stopped and detention figures remain disputed. Local Sports: CIF Southern Section baseball playoff results landed with a standout—Saugus beat San Marino 11-10 in Division 4—while more playoff matchups are set for Tuesday. Community Spotlight: South Pasadena’s Prayer Breakfast handed out six $1,000 grants to local nonprofits.

Nursing Home Rankings: Glendora Grand, Inc. has registered as LA County’s second biggest nursing home for Q1 2026, underscoring how large facilities continue to dominate local eldercare capacity. Community Grants: South Pasadena’s Prayer Breakfast handed out six $1,000 grants to local nonprofits, with the Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena highlighting its response to families displaced by last year’s Eaton Fire. Gaza Flotilla Standoff: Israeli forces intercepted and boarded vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, with activists accusing “piracy” and Israel citing security concerns as the convoy pushes toward Gaza. Eurovision Aftermath: Bulgaria’s Dara won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with “Bangaranga,” while Israel finished second amid a week of boycotts and protests tied to the Gaza war. Sports & Local Pride: In Ireland football, Shamrock Rovers’ Ed McGinty and Adam Brennan earned senior call-ups for friendlies, adding to the club’s growing pipeline of international talent.

Humanitarian Sea Clash: Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla again, boarding and surrounding vessels about 250 nautical miles from Gaza, after earlier stops off Crete. The flotilla says it’s a legal, non-violent mission to deliver aid and establish a humanitarian corridor, while Israel claims it’s using nationality-based tactics and alleges links to violent groups. Eurovision Fallout: In Vienna, Bulgaria’s Dara won Eurovision 2026 with “Bangaranga,” beating Israel into second place—despite a five-country boycott over Israel’s Gaza role and protests that followed the contest all week. Local Spotlight: In Pasadena-area sports, the National Football Foundation honored inaugural Girls Flag Football Scholar-Athlete winners, awarding scholarships and Rose Bowl tickets. Regional Sports: Ireland’s Jack Moylan netted a debut hat-trick in a friendly win over Grenada, while Northern Ireland prepares to host a major men’s volleyball championship featuring teams including San Marino.

Eurovision Shockwave: Bulgaria’s Dara won the 70th Eurovision in Vienna with “Bangaranga,” while Israel finished second and the UK’s Look Mum No Computer crashed to the bottom with “nul points,” as the contest stayed overshadowed by a five-nation boycott and protests over Israel’s Gaza war. International Justice Push: In Chisinau, most Council of Europe members backed a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, with 34 countries plus the EU signaling intent to join—though Georgia stayed out. Aviation & Tourism: Gibraltar’s Aircraft Registry held an industry briefing at the Sunborn Gibraltar, pitching growth and aiming to attract hundreds of aircraft, while Routes Europe 2026 is set to bring 120+ airline planners to Rimini for thousands of route meetings. Local Public Safety: Haverford Township police logged a $2,500 jewelry theft, a $2,000 interest-rate scam, and other incidents. Sports & School Spotlight: Pasadena-area students were honored as inaugural Girls Flag Football Scholar-Athlete winners, and CIF Southern Section baseball playoffs advanced with key Division 1 matchups.

Eurovision Aftermath: Bulgaria’s Dara won the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna with “Bangaranga,” beating Israel into second place and leaving the UK’s “nul points” public vote humiliation as the night’s headline. The win came after a week of Boycott Fallout: five countries—Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland—stayed away over Israel’s Gaza war and the EBU’s handling of rules, while protests and boos followed Israel’s act through the week. Local Spotlight: San Marino’s own Eurovision presence was part of the controversy and the scoreboard story, with the country among those jury panels awarding points during the final. Ongoing Watch: In California sports, CIF Southern Section baseball playoffs continued with multiple Division 1 pool results and elimination games set for Tuesday. Diplomacy Track: Separately, 36 countries backed a special tribunal for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, with Georgia notably refusing to join the committee.

Eurovision Shock Result: Bulgaria’s Dara won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with “Bangaranga,” taking the trophy for the first time as Israel finished second and the UK’s Look Mum No Computer crashed to last place in the public vote with “nul points.” Boycott Fallout: The final played out amid a five-nation boycott over Israel’s Gaza war and EBU handling of rules, with Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland staying away. San Marino in the Mix: San Marino’s jury handed points to Israel during the final, and the country’s Eurovision hopes were also tied to Senhit and Boy George earlier in the week—both ultimately missing out on the grand final. Local Sports: In California CIF Southern Section baseball playoffs, Saugus advanced after a Ramirez home run helped power a 5-2 win over Walnut, while other Division 1 pool games set up Tuesday elimination matchups. Justice Watch: Separately, 36 countries backed a special tribunal for Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine, with Georgia notably refusing to join the agreement.

Eurovision Finale Shock: Bulgaria won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna for the first time ever, with Dara’s “Bangaranga” edging Israel into second in a tense finish. Boycott Fallout: The win came amid a major political rift, with several countries boycotting over Israel’s Gaza role—yet Israel still reached the final and drew boos during the week. UK Low Point: The UK’s Look Mum No Computer finished last, scoring just one jury point and zero from the public. Next Up in San Marino’s Orbit: While Vienna stole the spotlight, San Marino di Carpi hosted a Cuba solidarity event, with volunteers and aid shipments continuing to flow. Local Governance Watch: In California, Senator Sasha Renée Pérez’s bills advanced after Senate Appropriations votes, including measures aimed at insurance claim transparency and faster payments. Sports Notes: CIF Southern Section baseball playoffs continued with multiple pool winners locking in quarterfinal spots. International Justice: Separately, Georgia refused to join a special tribunal framework targeting Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as more countries sign on.

Eurovision Final Frenzy: Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle hosts the Eurovision 2026 grand final Saturday with 25 countries set to perform, including Australia’s Delta Goodrem after she booked her spot in the second semi-final with “Eclipse,” while Israel’s Noam Bettan advances amid ongoing protests and boycotts from Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia over Israel’s Gaza campaign. San Marino Spotlight: San Marino’s Senhit and Boy George’s “Superstar” failed to qualify earlier in the week, a blow that kept the political debate front and center. Local Sports: In Southern Section baseball playoffs, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame beat Norco 4-0, Saugus rallied past Walnut 5-2 on Abraham Ramirez’s three-run homer, and Friday’s schedule/results continue to shape the next round matchups. Policy Watch: In Sacramento, Senator Sasha Renée Pérez advanced eight bills after Senate Appropriations Committee votes, including measures aimed at insurance claim transparency and faster, accountable payments.

Eurovision 2026: Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle is hosting the Grand Final after two tense semi-finals, with 25 acts set to perform and the running order now locked in. The week’s biggest story is the boycott fallout: Ireland, Spain, Iceland, the Netherlands and Slovenia stayed away over Israel’s participation, while Israel still advanced and will take the stage again. Delta Goodrem has Australia in the mix after qualifying with “Eclipse,” and Look Mum No Computer is also in the final. Local politics: In California, Senator Sasha Renée Pérez says eight bills cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee, including measures aimed at insurance claim transparency and faster payments, and she weighed in on Governor Newsom’s May budget revision, praising education investments while pushing for more school and scholarship funding. San Marino di Carpi: A Cuba solidarity event is set for Friday in the town, with volunteers and aid groups sharing updates from recent convoys.

Elder Fraud Surge: Fraud losses for Americans 60+ have nearly quadrupled since 2020, jumping from about $600M to $2.4B in 2024, with the biggest hits tied to investment scams, romance scams, and impersonation schemes. “Pig Butchering” Tactics: San Marino Police Commander Naved Qureshi says these cons are built to win trust over weeks or months—often starting with a friendly message and ending with victims losing hundreds of thousands. Community Spotlight: In San Marino, volunteers are being celebrated for keeping the local library’s Book Shoppe running, with supporters calling it more than fundraising—it’s a social hub. Eurovision Final Focus: Vienna’s Eurovision week is peaking: Bulgaria’s DARA qualified for Saturday’s final, and Australia’s Delta Goodrem is set to perform after reaching the grand final. Justice Push: Thirty-six countries have signed up for a special tribunal targeting Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, with the “point of no return” language making headlines.