Singapore today dropped the Eurofighter Typhoon from its list of jet fighters being considered for its air force, leaving only the US-made F-15 Strike Eagle and the French Dassault Rafale vying for the lucrative contract.

Asia’s new initiative to combat piracy and deter terror strikes in the crucial Malacca Straits and surrounding seas is nearly ready to start, Singapore’s defence minister said today.

Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong leaves for Washington and London tomorrow amid a growing debate in south east Asia on whether US help is required to protect busy Asian shipping lanes from terrorist attacks.

A 15-year-old boy was sentenced to 240 hours of community service for pretending to be Singapore's education minister in an e-mail to his principal that demanded the expulsion of two fellow students.

Singapore is on guard against terrorists today as the nation is placed on high alert.