Terry Jones in "Life of Brian" 1979

SAN NARCISO, Calif. (Bennington Vale Evening Transcript) -- Responding to the outrage ignited by the anti-Islamic film "Innocence of Muslims," Egyptian authorities on Tuesday ordered the arrests of Terry Jones and seven Coptic Christians for their alleged involvement in the video's production. The movie's offensive portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad has led to protests across the Middle East and North Africa. At the U.S. Consulate in Libya, the ambassador and several other staff members were killed by well-equipped gunmen during the rioting. Prosecutors in Egypt demanded the suspects be extradited to the Egyptian government for trial. Their statement also indicated that convictions could be punishable by death. Officials in the United States have not responded to the request but seem unlikely to comply. In the United Kingdom, however, British authorities refused to hand over Terry Jones, whom they described as a "national treasure" for his work with the storied comedy team, Monty Python.

CAIRO, Egypt -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stunned and disappointed hundreds of thousands of protesters Thursday when he announced that he would not be stepping down, but would instead transfer the powers of his office to the vice president. Mubarak has ruled the country for over a generation and, according to millions of young Egyptians, has denied his people many of the rights and civil liberties enjoyed in Western nations. In the original story carried by The Bennington Vale Evening Transcript, those close to Mubarak claimed that he responded to calls for his resignation -- and then demands for an explanation of why he failed to tender one -- with the phrase “I’d prefer not to.”

Ironically, Hosni Mubarak found himself out of a job Friday after the vice president begged him to remain in power. Mubarak, again, replied, “I’d prefer not to.”

CAIRO, Egypt -- President Hosni Mubarak refused to step down Thursday despite intimations to the contrary. He said in a nationally televised speech that he would assign the tasks of president to his vice president, a move sanctioned by the country’s constitution, but the decision drew outrage and confusion from hundreds of thousands of protesters who have been calling for the authoritarian leader’s ouster. After the speech, however, Mubarak became aloof and mysterious, and in a bizarre twist began responding to questions by saying only, “I’d prefer not to.”

CAIRO, Egypt -- Flared tensions have turned to widespread chaos with a throng of Egyptians calling for the ouster of 82-year-old President Hosni Mubarak, whom they charge with 30 years of oppressive rule under a rigged, undemocratic election process. However, many view Mubarak, a secular leader, as strong on fighting religious discrimination and Islamic terrorism in the region. They also worry that Mubarak’s departure will lead to joblessness and economic decline. But liberals in the United States have focused solely on what they call Egypt’s “chilling communications blackout,” which sets a “dangerous global precedent.”