McCain's Diagnosis • Solar Eclipse Approaches • Trump's Revealing Interview • Patch Morning Briefing

Good morning! It's Thursday, and the weekend is approaching. Here's what you need to know to start your day.

McCain Diagnosed With Brain Cancer

Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, 80, will pursue treatment for brain cancer in the coming months, his office has announced. A tumor was discovered and removed from his head when doctors operated on a blood clot in his eye last Friday. McCain's absence from the Senate makes passing health care reform even more of a challenge. Well-wishers from across the political spectrum sent their prayers and praise to the McCain family. "Give it hell, John," said President Obama. (Patch)

A Total Solar Eclipse Is Coming, And The US Has Prime Seats

On Aug. 21, in just over a month, a full solar eclipse will pass over the United States. We haven't seen one since 1979, and we won't see one again until 2024. Will it pass over your state?

Travel Ban: Grandparents, Cousins Exempt, Supreme Court Rules

The Supreme Court will allow grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunts of Americans to be exempt from President Trump's travel ban on six predominantly Muslim countries, denying the White House's petition for stricter limits. But the high court sided with the Trump administration in one aspect of the appeal, saying the government may enforce firmer restrictions on refugees, at least for now. (Patch)

Trump Gives Revealing Interview To The New York Times

New York Times reporters Peter Baker, Michael S. Schmidt and Maggie Haberman interviewed President Trump Wednesday, discussing health care, his Paris trip and the Russia investigation. He made several bold statements about Attorney General Jeff Sessions' decision to recuse himself, the boundaries of Robert Mueller's probe and his previously undisclosed conversation with Russian President Putin. (Patch)

Quick Hits

Ultimate Gentrifying Bar Touts Bullet-Riddled Wall To Sell Fancy Cocktails To Brooklynites (Patch)

Naked, Drunk And Fast: Driver Nabbed Going 105 mph, Police Say (Patch)

Kris Kobach's Math Problem: 'We May Never Know' If Hillary Clinton Won The 2016 Popular Vote (Patch)

VIDEO: Congressman Asks NASA About Alien Civilization On Mars (Patch)

Oh Fudge! Nashville Predators Fan Misses Message About Free Stanley Cup Final Tickets

A Nashville Predators fan forgot to check his direct messages during the Stanley Cup Final and missed a chance at free tickets. (Patch)

Seth Moulton Urges Russia Investigation With Amendment

Rep. Seth Moulton will introduce an amendment that would guarantee "adequate funding" for Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. (Patch)

Kittens Are Being Cared For By Rats In The Brooklyn Cat Cafe: PHOTOS/VIDEOS

Remy and Emile have been tasked with taking care of orphaned kittens. (Patch)

Dementia Treatments May Be Simpler Than We Think

Learning more, staying active and living healthily may be some of the easiest ways to cut down dramatically on the rates of dementia. (Reuters)

Paul Manafort And Donald Trump Jr. Have Been Called To Testify

The Senate Judiciary Committee wants to hear from two of the key figures in the latest controversy around the Trump campaign's ties to Russia. (Bloomberg)

This Day In History

1871 — British Columbia becomes a part of Canada

1969 — The United States successfully lands astronauts on the surface of the Moon

Famous Birthdays

356 BCE — Alexander the Great, the king of Macedonia

1953 — Thomas Friedman, an American columnist for the New York Times and foreign affairs author

Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images