In brief: Yemen leader warns of civil war

Sanaa, Yemen – Yemen’s U.S.-backed president, his support crumbling among political allies and the army, warned that the country could slide into a “bloody” civil war Tuesday as the opposition rejected his offer to step down by the end of the year.

Tens of thousands protested in the capital demanding his immediate ouster, emboldened by top military commanders who joined their cause.

Ali Abdullah Saleh’s apparent determination to cling to power raised fears that Yemen could be pushed into even greater instability. In a potentially explosive split, rival factions of the military have deployed tanks in the capital Sanaa – with units commanded by Saleh’s son protecting the president’s palace, and units loyal to a top dissident commander protecting the protesters.

The defection on Monday of that commander, Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, a powerful regime insider who commands the army’s 1st Armored Division, has been seen by many as a major turning point toward a potentially rapid end for Saleh’s nearly 32-year rule.

Canadian election likely in May

Toronto – A spring election in Canada is all but certain after opposition parties said Tuesday they will vote against Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s latest budget plan.

The government needs the support of at least one party to stay in power but all three opposition parties in the Parliament immediately rejected Harper’s budget after it was announced.

A vote on the budget is expected either Thursday or Friday. If the budget is defeated, an election will be triggered and probably will be held on May 2 or May 9.

Fire erupts in ministry building

Cairo, Egypt – Fire swept the upper floors of Egypt’s Interior Ministry building on Tuesday as policemen protested outside to demand higher pay. A security official accused demonstrators of starting the blaze in downtown Cairo.

TV footage showed flames climbing the top floors of the building and a huge plume of black smoke filling the sky. Later, firefighters on tall ladders sprayed water to extinguish the fire.

One protester denied they had lit the fire and accused those inside of setting if off by burning security files to get rid of evidence of police abuses.