China web temporarily blacked out

A brief internet blackout rendered a number of Chinese and foreign websites inaccessible for around two hours on Thursday, as officials warned against internet users spreading online rumors, The Wall Street Journal reported. The cause of the blackout was unclear, though netizens ventured that Wednesday’s 8.6-magnitude earthquake near Indonesia or internet system adjustments were at fault. The disruption gained notice partly due to the current sensitive political climate and occurred after numerous web postings about Community Party official Bo Xilai, who was removed this week from China’s Politburo. Bo is under investigation for “serious violations” and his spouse has been implicated in the death of a British businessman. Officials said through state media on Thursday that any person found spreading rumors online would be punished.