Reuters - Republicans, beset by an array of political troubles, are cranking up the attacks on Democrats and trying to change the subject from President George W. Bush ahead of November's congressional elections.

More on Apple vs. France, and the "N" word. In Rants 'n' Raves.

Reuters - One thing can be said about the Environmental Film Festival: it's not Cannes or Sundance. It may not even be Missoula. But it is part of a U.S. trend to feature movies about nature and the assaults on it.

AP - The big bats came out Friday.

AP - L.A. Fashion Week, its focus on fall 2006, came to a glamorous close with the debut of Collection bebe, the new couture offering from the casual California clothier.

AP - Three days after saying it will delay the consumer version of its new Windows Vista operating system, Microsoft Corp. said Friday that the update to its Office business software suite also won't appear in stores until January.

HealthDay - FRIDAY, March 24 (HealthDay News) -- Giving more weight to the notion that Alzheimer's may be a diabetes-like disease, researchers say rats depleted of insulin in the brain went on to develop an Alzheimer's-like illness.

AFP - Microsoft Corp. confirmed the timeline for the release and availability of its 2007 Microsoft Office system, saying it will be in retail circulation by January.

AFP - French President Jacques Chirac defended his eye-brow-raising exit from an EU summit session, accusing the French head of Europe's employer union of piquing French pride by daring to speak in English.

AFP - China confirmed that a 29-year-old woman has died of bird flu, as the nation's biggest city stepped up measures to prevent the potential spread of the disease.

AFP - A special ASEAN envoy abruptly cut short a trip to Myanmar aimed at pressing the junta over democratic reforms without meeting detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, security sources and diplomats said.

AFP - Pakistani troops and helicopter gunships killed up to 20 militants near the Afghan border, officials said, hours after President Pervez Musharraf warned foreign rebels to leave the area or die.

Reuters - Warner Music Group Corp. said on Friday it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ryko Corp., an independent, integrated music and entertainment company, from an investment group led by JPMorgan Partners for $67.5 million.

AP - Hawaii could almost change its state motto to "Help Wanted." "Now hiring" signs decorate storefront windows. Some companies entice with flexible scheduling. First Hawaiian Bank has doubled its hiring bonus to $500 besides offering gym memberships, tuition reimbursements and medical spending programs.

AP - Laughin' all the way, George Mason coach Jim Larranaga is having a grand ol' time at the NCAA tournament. He tells his players to relish the moment, then makes sure they do by making them guffaw at his awkward dance moves or by having them play a version of stickball.

Reuters - Microsoft Corp. on Friday said it will complete work on the new version of its Microsoft Office software package this October and make it available to business customers at that time.

Reuters - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi pledged support for Palestinian militant group Hamas, which faces cuts in Western funding over its refusal to denounce violence against Israel, state news agency Jana said on Friday.

AFP - Nigeria came to a virtual halt as the country's first census in 15 years moved into a fourth day marked by arrests, more violence and growing clamour for the count to be extended.

Reuters - Warner Music Group Corp. said on Friday it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire independent record label Ryko Corporation from an investment group led by JPMorgan Partners for $67.5 million.

Reuters - The government agency responsible for insuring corporate pensions sought private legal advice this week to help sort through a range of possible financial scenarios involving General Motors Corp. , including possible bankruptcy.