Singapore - A fisherman snared a metre-long crocodile believed to be the reptile spotted by several people in a park not far from the heart of Singapore, news reports said on Wednesday.

The angler was fishing off a bridge when his line hooked the leg of the crocodile. The animal has been the target of a search by park employees and video enthusiasts since a snapshot was taken in a river canal by a girl more than three weeks ago.

The unidentified fisherman reeled it in, The Straits Times said. He and a companion shone a light at it before they realized it was a crocodile staring back.

They lifted the reptile onto and bridge and turned it on its back to stop it from escaping.

Singapore - The Wednesday deadline for the closure of a shelter for homeless foreign maids has been extended by two months, news reports said Tuesday.

Singapore's Urban Development Authority (UDA) extended the deadline for evicting nearly 100 women, many of whom are victims of abuse and rape.

The Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME), the group that runs the three-storey facility, told The Straits Times that it will get the UDA stamp of approval once it finds another site.

Singapore - Taoists are launching a drive to debunk misconceptions that their religion is based largely on superstition, after a poll showed many young followers are switching to Christianity, leaders of the faith said Tuesday.

An exhibition containing nearly 400 books in 36 languages will include the works of Taoist sage Lao Zi, known as Dao De Jing, and materials from 10 other major religions in Singapore.

Singapore - A shelter for nearly 100 homeless foreign maids, many victims of abuse and rape, is to be closed in two days because of overcrowding, authorities said Monday.

The women have been informed they must leave the three-storey building by Wednesday after an eviction order from the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

The government planning agency said the overcrowding presented health and hygiene problems that could affect the maids.

The women have been sharing seven bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Singapore - An Egyptian minister for investment, accompanied by a 35-member business delegation, Monday wrapped up a visit to Singapore aimed at boosting bilateral trade.

Singapore - Nearly 25 per cent of the traditional Chinese medicine companies in Singapore have pledged not to sell products derived from endangered species, an animal protection group said Friday.

The shops from 189 companies are displaying a bright red and white label proclaiming, "We do not sell endangered species products."

Members of the Animal Research and Education Society said they have found tiger bones, paws and penises in addition to bear products on sale in the city-state.