Trump Threatens Syria; Losing Insurance; 'Ugliest Dog': Patch Morning Briefing

Good morning! It's Tuesday, and July 4th is one week away. Here's what you need to know to start your day.

Syria Strikes: Round 2?

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may soon conduct additional chemical weapons attacks, according to the White House. This finding prompted the Trump administration to warn it would make Syria pay a "heavy price" if it follows through on such plans. However, multiple outlets reported that military officials were surprise to see the White House statement Monday night; no further clarifications were provided. (Patch)

Senate Health Care Overhaul Would Leave Millions More Without Coverage

The Senate Republican health care bill released last week would add 22 million Americans to the rolls of the uninsured, according to a new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office. These projections put the plan in line with those proposed by House Republicans, and many key senators have already expressed doubts about supporting the legislation. We've been down this road before, however — the House health care bill seemed doomed to failure even shortly before it passed — so anything could still happen. (Patch)

The 'Ugliest Dog' Is Adorable

One saggy-faced hound will bear the dubious distinction of being the "World's Ugliest Dog," despite her undeniable charisma and charm. Meet Martha, a 3-year-old Neapolitan Mastiff from the quaint Northern California forest town of Sebastopol, who beat out more than a dozen small, yippy types to clinch the title at this year's Sonoma-Marin Fair. (Patch)

Quick Hits

Charlie Sheen Has — And Is Auctioning — Most Historic Red Sox Item (Patch)

Attleboro Rep. Wants To Chase Ex-GF Instead Of Run For Mayor, Facebook Post Says (Patch)

Watch: Michigan Dad In T-Rex Suit Kayaks Through Storm-Flooded Neighborhood (Patch)

Mere Presence Of Smartphones Reduces Cognitive Ability, Texas Researchers Find (Patch)

Takata Air Bag Bankruptcy: 5 Fast Facts About $1.59B Buyer Key Safety Systems

A suburban Detroit air bag manufacturer is acquiring the assets of scandal-ridden Takata, which filed for bankruptcy in Detroit and Tokyo. (Patch)

Meet The Dogs With OCD

"Could understanding canine compulsions help find new treatments for people with obsessive–compulsive disorders too?" asks Shayla Love. (Mosaic Science)

Freaky Furries In Pittsburgh: Five Things You Need To Know

With Anthrocon 2017 beginning Thursday in Pittsburgh, here's what you should know about the fursuiter. (Patch)

What We Know About Prostate Cancer Screenings

Recommendations for screening regimens are changing all the time. Here's what the latest science tells us. (New York Times)

CNN Retracts Trump/Russia Story

The story, which was only reported online and never on air, was thinly sourced and not up to the news agency's standards. Three people involved in the article's publication have resigned, though the outlet is not saying that the story was false; it only says that its claims were not sufficiently supported. (CNN)

In Case You Need A Break From The News

John McEnroe: Serena Williams Would Be Ranked 'Like 700' On Men's Tour

McEnroe said Williams could beat some male players, but if she had to just play the men's circuit, that would be a different story. (Patch)

Grayson, 6, Will Die Without Obamacare, Yet Pence Tweets ‘Personal Responsibility’

A blogger whose son was born with an incurable genetic disease sneers at claim the GOP health plan is steeped in “personal responsibility.” (Patch)

This Day In History

1950 — American forces join the Korean war.

2007 — After ten years, British Prime Minister Tony Blair resigns his position.

Famous Birthdays

1462 — French King Louis XII, known as the "Father of the People"

1880 — Helen Keller, American author and scholar who was blind and deaf

Photo by Robert S. Price/U.S. Navy via Getty Images