Hacking attempt on Alibaba's shopping site

BEIJING • Hackers in China tried to access over 20 million active accounts on Alibaba Group's Taobao e-commerce website using Alibaba's own cloud computing service, according to a state media report posted on the Internet regulator's website.

An Alibaba spokesman yesterday said the company detected the attack in "the first instance" and worked closely with the police investigation.

REUTERS

Women to serve on Indian Navy warships

NEW DELHI • After the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy has said that it will soon allow women to serve on warships and as naval pilots.

Indian Navy chief R.K. Dhowan told the media on Wednesday in the southern port city of Visakhapatnam : "A proposal to induct women as pilots is already with the Indian Defence Ministry and the Navy is moving towards making warships conducive for women officers to be posted on them."

XINHUA

Thai police arrest elderly bridge players

BANGKOK • The Thai junta's vow to rid the country of foreign criminals has netted an unlikely group of outlaws - elderly bridge players.

Police and military volunteers raided a bridge club on Wednesday in Pattaya, arresting 32 foreigners.

Pattaya police superintendent Suthat Pumphanmuang said all but one of those arrested were freed on 5,000-baht (S$200) bail after 12 hours in custody.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE