Twitter blocked in China

According to multiple sources, Chinese authorities blocked access to Twitter across the country after ethnic riots broke out in a province in the western part of the nation.

Deadly riots flared up in the remote Xinjiang province on Monday. According to a Chinese state media source, the riots were caused by Muslim Uighur separatists. Over 100 casualties were reported to have occured.

Last month, China restricted access to Twitter and other foreign websites during the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen square democratic uprising in Beijing.

Twitter became a popular means of communication amongst members of the Iranian opposition during protests that took place during the past two weeks. Supporters of opposition candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi took to the streets alleging that incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stole the election.