Al-Alam, Iran's international news TV channel, says it has received no official word that it faces a ban in Egypt. Security forces in Cairo ransacked the Al-Alam office earlier this week and confiscated equipment, including cameras, computers and two videotapes.

The Egyptian government, stung by an Iranian documentary on the assassination of Anwar Sadat, is sponsoring a movie criticizing Ayatollah Khomeini.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is looking to the past for lessons on how to make next month's Mideast peace conference a success. As she prepares to host the international meeting in Annapolis, Md., Rice has delved into the history of U.S.

Former President Jimmy Carter said Saturday that the storm of criticism he has faced for his recent book has not weakened his resolve for fair treatment of Israelis and Palestinians.

The Bush administration must push harder - and be evenhanded - to revive sagging peace hopes in the Middle East, former President Carter said Monday.