Daily Polichicks - Friday

Campaign '08:

Hillary Clinton hopes for an "upset of the century" win in North Carolina. [The Washington Post]

John McCain blasts the Bush administration's handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster during a vist to New Orlean's Lower 9th Ward. (Hmm... First McCain apologizes for voting against the King holiday during a speech at a MLK memorial. Now he's calling Bush out in black neighborhoods. Could this Republican be making an early play for black voters?) [The Los Angeles Times]

U.S. News:

After a 60 year battle, Filipino veterans win a Senate vote on military benefits for them.  Filipino soldiers fought under U.S. command against Japan in World War II. [The Los Angeles Times]

No bullies allowed in doggie daycare. PetSmart's PetsHotel and Dog Day Camp do not welcome any dogs with "bully breed" classifications. [The Los Angeles Times]

International News:

Prince Harry boosts his rep to best brother Prince William [AP]

The oldest oil paintings ever discovered, murals painted in the 7th century, have been found in caves in Afghanistan.  The entry to the caves was blocked by two 6th century Buddha statues until 2001, when the Taliban blew them up. [CNN]

Iraq's disabled athletes compete "in the midst of a sandstorm with explosions going off in the distance." [CNN video and CNN article]

Meet you at Starbucks? The Chineese government leadership and a rep of the Dalai Lama have agreed to meet. [CNN]

Sports:

Frenemies Charles Barkley and Kobe Byant air kiss and make up [The Los Angeles Times]