Latest news with #KalaivananBalakrishnan
CNA
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - More realistic and accurate graphics on MAPS
Singapore's 60th National Day Parade involves over 39 artistes and over 3,000 performers, while featuring a 360-degree mobile stage, light projections on buildings, massive floats and fireworks displays. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speaks with Boo Junfeng, Creative Director, NDP 2025. Water guns that shoot gel beads are one of the newer tools the National Parks Board has started using to keep monkeys away from residential areas. How do water gel guns work, and is there a better way to manage macaques? Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak with Kalaivanan Balakrishnan, Chief Executive of the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society. In 'Destination Anywhere' Melanie Oliveiro finds out where Singaporeans and Singapore residents can go to discuss and view the works of underground local filmmaker Tzang Merwyn Tong. Tong will talk about two public events that will examine his early works as an underground filmmaker as well as his contributions to early Singapore cinema. Held at two different places, Tong will highlight his talk 'e'Tzaintes before Faeryville: Insight on 90s Guerilla Filmmaking in Singapore' and the double bill screening of his films e'Tzaintes and Faeryville. In 'Made in SG' Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Rachel Nadia Goh founder of Kin Collective, a social impact group creating children's books and theatrical experiences. Goh will talk about Kin Collective's mission: helping children nurture empathy from a young age, and hopefully raising a generation of thoughtful changemakers. She'll also discuss the theatrical adaptation of the book, 'Sara, Hana and Their Three Wishes,' and how the play brings to life the voices of children from conflict zones, and invites families and educators to reflect on the role of empathy in today's divided times.
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Egyptian TV reports rare arrival of fuel trucks for Gaza
CAIRO - Egypt's state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV said on Sunday that two fuel trucks carrying 107 tons of diesel were set to enter Gaza, months after Israel severely restricted aid access to the enclave before easing it somewhat as starvation began to spread. Gaza's health ministry has said fuel shortages have severely impaired hospital services, forcing doctors to focus on treating only critically ill or injured patients. There was no immediate confirmation whether the fuel trucks had indeed entered Gaza. Fuel shipments have been rare since March, when Israel restricted the flow of aid and goods into the enclave in what it said was pressure on Hamas militants to free the remaining hostages they took in their October 2023 attack on Israel. The Gaza health ministry said on Sunday that six more people had died of starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, raising the toll of those dying of such causes to 175, including 93 children, since the war began. Israel blames Hamas for the suffering in Gaza but, in response to a rising international outcry, it announced steps last week to let more aid reach the population, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, approving air drops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys. United Nations agencies have said that airdrops of food are insufficient and that Israel must let in far more aid by land and open up access to the war-devastated territory where starvation has been spreading. COGAT, the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid, said 35 trucks have entered Gaza since June, nearly all of them in July. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore LTA, Singapore bus operators reviewing Malaysia's request to start services from JB at 4am Singapore Despite bag checks and warnings, young partygoers continue to vape in clubs in Singapore Singapore President Tharman meets migrant workers who saved driver of car that fell into sinkhole Singapore Now flying solo, Acres CEO Kalaivanan Balakrishnan presses ahead with wildlife rescue efforts Opinion The charm – and drawbacks – of living in a time warp in Singapore Business UMS Integration becomes first SGX company with secondary listing in Malaysia Singapore Ong Beng Seng to plead guilty on Aug 4, more than 2 years after trip to Qatar with Iswaran Business Decoupling to save on tax? You may lose right to property if ties go awry The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said on Sunday that nearly 1,600 aid trucks had arrived since Israel eased restrictions late in July. However, witnesses and Hamas sources said many of those trucks have been looted by desperate displaced people and armed gangs. More than 700 trucks of fuel entered the Gaza Strip in January and February during a ceasefire before Israel broke it in March in a dispute over terms for extending it and resumed its major offensive. Palestinian local health authorities said at least 18 people had been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes across the coastal enclave on Sunday. Deaths included persons trying to make their way to aid distribution points in southern and central areas of Gaza, Palestinian medics said. Among those killed was a staff member of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, which said an Israeli strike at their headquarters in Khan Younis in southern Gaza ignited a fire on the first floor of the building. The Gaza war began when Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in a cross-border attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli figures. Israel's air and ground war in densely populated Gaza has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to enclave health officials. According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive. REUTERS
Straits Times
03-08-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Now flying solo, Acres CEO Kalaivanan Balakrishnan presses ahead with wildlife rescue efforts
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Mr Kalaivanan Balakrishnan took over as the sole president of Acres in May 2025. SINGAPORE - After four years of running a wildlife rescue non-profit with a co-pilot, Mr Kalaivanan Balakrishnan is now flying solo – and taking the challenges that come with it in his stride. The 39-year-old – formerly one of two co-chief executives of the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) – intends to continue its mission of rescuing all needy wildlife, even those that may not be cute or cuddly. Ms Anbarasi Boopal, the other former Acres co-chief executive, stepped down from her role on April 30. She plans to work on policies on the welfare of farmed animals next. The pair had originally taken on the co-chief executive roles in 2021, when Acres founder Louis Ng relinquished the role to focus on politics. He served as a PAP MP for Nee Soon GRC for a decade, from 2015 to 2025. Ms Boopal oversaw Acres' advocacy arm, while Mr Kalaivanan managed the group's day-to-day operations, such as its efforts to rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife. One of his most memorable rescues was in 2018, when he helped to save a dolphin tangled in a fishing line at Bedok Jetty. He has also been involved in rescues of more commonly seen wildlife, including Javan mynahs and kingfishers stuck in glue traps, and injured pigeons, macaques and otters. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore LTA, Singapore bus operators reviewing Malaysia's request to start services from JB at 4am Singapore Despite bag checks and warnings, young partygoers continue to vape in clubs in Singapore Singapore Ong Beng Seng to plead guilty on Aug 4, more than 2 years after trip to Qatar with Iswaran Singapore NDP 2025: Veteran Red Lion says each leap 'feels like 5km run' Business Decoupling to save on tax? You may lose right to property if ties go awry Singapore Lessons learnt from Singapore's love-hate relationship with e-scooters Opinion At UN's Wipo, Singaporean Daren Tang strives to create an equal music for haves and have-nots Asia Mass grave with over 100 skeletons in Sri Lanka brings up old wounds With Ms Boopal's departure, Mr Kalaivanan has had to take on fund-raising efforts, which he says is a big challenge for him. 'Fund-raising for wild animals is a challenge on its own, because our animals do not wag their tails, do not purr, do not meow – they don't have a cute factor,' he said in an interview on July 23 at Acres' premises in Sungei Tengah. 'Not everybody can resonate with snakes or pigeons, so to fund-raise, we need to constantly find new ways.' Alongside a team of around 30 staff members, he is planning for Acres' upcoming gala – its largest annual fund-raising event – on Aug 16. The organisation held its first gala in 2005. This year's ball aims to raise $400,000, with those in the last few years raising around $100,000 to $300,000. Though galas in the past were usually held in the month of May to coincide with Acres' birthday, the 2025 gala was delayed due to the leadership transition. The funds raised will help to cover the operating costs of its rescue hotline and in-house veterinary facilities, and fund the expansion of its wildlife rescue centre . In 2024, owing to a lack of funds, Acres ceased the 24-hour operations of its wildlife rescue hotline. Its rescue services now run from only 7am to 1am daily. The organisation also lost several volunteers during the Covid-19 pandemic. 'We've been trying to attract more volunteers who can help us more consistently, but that has proven a challenge, because everybody's so busy with work in Singapore,' Mr Kalaivanan said. Working in wildlife rescue was not always in the cards for Mr Kalaivanan, who is an industrial designer by training. The wildlife aficionado first joined Acres in 2009 as a volunteer, before becoming a full-time staff member in 2011. Being able to apply his design skills to help animals – be it in creating roadshow banners or building enclosures – kept him going all these years, Mr Kalaivanan said. 'At NGOs (non-government organisations) like Acres, you often have to make do with less, to do more. That's something I find very addictive,' he said. Mr Kalaivanan helps to ensure that Acres' animal rescue, rehabilitation and repatriation efforts run smoothly. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN One of his biggest milestones was leading the construction of Acres' first animal sanctuary in 2013. The sanctuary meant that animals saved from the illegal wildlife trade get the opportunity to bask outdoors. Prior to the construction of its outdoor sanctuary, many of Acres' rescued animals were kept in quarantine areas or indoor enclosures. Animals such as Indian star tortoises and ball pythons are often illegally brought into Singapore to be kept as pets. 'For the first time in many years, a lot of the tortoises, turtles, could be under sunlight, feel the rain,' he said. Having a sanctuary also opened up the opportunity for Acres to conduct private educational tours, further raising awareness about the plight of rescued animals, Mr Kalaivanan said. Moving forward, Mr Kalaivanan's vision is for Acres to expand its premises and the breadth of its work. Today, 129 animals – including various species of reptiles, birds and mammals – live on its 0.5ha premises, about the size of a football field. Some animals, like the 30 pig-nosed turtles under Acres' care, are highly territorial, and have to be housed in individual enclosures, leading to significant space constraints. 'If you have insufficient space, you can keep rescuing animals, but the quality of care is going to decrease for each animal,' Mr Kalaivanan said. As such, his top priority is to reclaim and develop the 1.5ha of previously poisoned land beside its existing premises, which the authorities greenlit in May 2024. Acres had originally been allocated 2ha of land in their current Sungei Tengah site, but contamination by a building contractor rendered much of it unsafe for use. A groundwater test in December 2023 found a fall in the level of contaminants. Prior to the construction of its outdoor sanctuary, many of Acres' rescued animals were kept in quarantine areas or indoor enclosures. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN Acres hopes to approach the expansion with care, Mr Kalaivanan said, adding that a biodiversity survey had been done to identify flora and fauna potentially impacted by the expansion. Animals that used the space included birds such as the long-tailed parakeet and common emerald dove, as well as other animals such as the plantain squirrel, reticulated python and Indochinese rat snake. 'We will keep pockets of small greenery so that wild animals like birds, snakes and turtles can continue to be there,' he said. Acres will also continue its advocacy efforts to urge people to better co-exist with wildlife in Singapore, he said. 'If we can get people to co-exist more with nature, then we have to rescue less animals and can save resources.' Mr Kalaivanan also hopes for Acres to strengthen its focus on cruelty-free living. This would mean enhancing educational initiatives on veganism, and greater outreach on the origins of leather and other animal products, he said. 'My goal is to ensure that when people see Acres, they don't recognise us just for animal rescue and rehabilitation. Instead, I want them to think of animal welfare at large.'
CNA
21-05-2025
- General
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - It's no monkey business! Spate of cases involving monkeys entering homes
CNA938 Rewind Between Sept 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, the National Parks Board (NParks) received around 200 reports relating to macaques in Punggol. The authorities have responded to a spate of cases involving wild monkeys entering flats in Punggol by culling some, sterilising others and conducting exercises to herd the animals back into nature areas. How concerning is this monkey business? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman find out from Kalaivanan Balakrishnan, Chief Executive, Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres)
