(CNN) Despite international tensions and political turmoil, Mother Nature still knows how to steal the show. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door . You can also get "5 Things You Need to Know Today" delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here .

1. Eclipse

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., be sure to click this link on any of your devices to watch the entire event unfold live in virtual reality. You can also watch in the CNN App, on CNN's Facebook page, or on the Samsung VR app on the Gear VR headset.

Biding time until the big event? Here are some other eclipse stories for your viewing pleasure (no glasses needed):

JUST WATCHED How to safely view the eclipse of the century Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH How to safely view the eclipse of the century 01:25

2. Afghanistan

President Donald Trump will unveil his new plan for US involvement in Afghanistan , and a potential escalation of the nation's longest war. He'll be asking Americans to trust him on his new strategy while exercising a president's most somber duty, a decision on waging war. The Presidential address is at 9 p.m. ET.

JUST WATCHED US troops in Afghanistan: A history Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH US troops in Afghanistan: A history 01:27

3. North Korea

Another week, another round of discomfiting quotes from North Korea. The nation announced yesterday that the upcoming US-South Korea military exercises are "reckless behavior driving the situation into the uncontrollable phase of a nuclear war."

Pyongyang also declared that its army can target the US anytime, and neither Guam, Hawaii nor the US mainland can "dodge the merciless strike."

JUST WATCHED North Korea makes threat about annual exercise Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH North Korea makes threat about annual exercise 01:21

4. US Navy

The Navy's 7th Fleet said the USS John S. McCain collided with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while the destroyer was making its way to a port visit in Singapore.

Military experts said the latest incident is not a good look for the Navy and its training practices, and will likely lead to a serious shakeup among the Navy's leadership.

JUST WATCHED US Navy destroyer collides with ship Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH US Navy destroyer collides with ship 01:13

5. Confederate statues

Statues commemorating Confederate forces from the Civil War are dropping like flies after the Charlottesville protests inspired local governments and activists to renew conversations about the statues' public purposes.

The latest to go? Four statues at the University of Texas in Austin were removed in the dead of night over the weekend. There may be more to come, too. Cities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Virginia and Washington have all considered removing statues from public spaces.

JUST WATCHED US Capitol home to several Confederate statues Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH US Capitol home to several Confederate statues 01:14

BREAKFAST BROWSE

People are talking about these. Read up. Join in.

Comedian Jerry Lewis has passed away at 91

JUST WATCHED Jerry Lewis dies at 91 Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Jerry Lewis dies at 91 02:02

Robotic crib will rock your baby to sleep

Elon Musk calls for a global ban on killer robots

The White House arts committee puts subtle message in their resignation

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"May the shadow of the moon fall on a world at peace."

Frank Reynolds, musing about the world of 2017 ABC News', musing about the world of 2017 while reporting on the eclipse of 1979

AND FINALLY ...

You know this was coming...