Up to 46 killed by Yemen rally snipers

A massive demonstration against Yemen’s government turned into a killing field today as snipers fired down on protesters from rooftops and police made a wall of fire with tires and petrol, blocking a key escape route.

At least 46 people died, including some children, in an attack that marked a new level of brutality in President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s crackdown on dissents. Medical officials and witnesses said hundreds of people were wounded.