SNAPSHOT | UNHCR warns M'sia against returning refugees; 28 potential athletes identified for LA28

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 9am, 2pm, 6pm, and 9pm.

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6pm

Myanmar refugees

• The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned Malaysia against returning refugees to Myanmar while conflict and violence continue, saying conditions are not yet safe for voluntary repatriation.

  The agency, which is not involved in Malaysia’s planned repatriation programme, said any return must be voluntary, informed and carried out in safety and dignity.

  “Under customary international law – a binding obligation on all states – no one should be sent to a country where their rights or freedoms may be at risk.

  “Any refugee return must be voluntary and based on an informed decision, and take place in conditions of safety and dignity,” UNHCR said, according to Reuters.

  

  The Home Ministry previously said it had finalised the first phase of a programme to repatriate 1,476 refugees to Myanmar on Sept 29.

Sports

• The National Sports Council (NSC) has identified 28 Malaysian athletes who could potentially qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics (LA28), Youth and Sports Minister Taufiq Johari said.

  Berita Harian reported Taufiq said the NSC had begun mapping out qualification pathways for athletes across sports including swimming, diving, athletics, cycling, sailing, archery, badminton and hockey.

  

  “This is all subject to their respective performances and qualification processes. The figure may change from time to time, but more importantly, our direction towards LA28 has already been mapped out starting now,” he said in Putrajaya today.

  He said preparations had to begin early as qualification periods differed between sports, with some already underway this year.

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