Attack of the killer drones

Venezuela attack ... Russia investigation ... Indonesian earthquake ... NRA ... Hawaii

view in browser Monday 8.6.18 The view is not the only draw at the Space Needle. Now the Seattle icon sports the world's first revolving glass floor. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door. By Doug Criss Venezuela attack   Six people have been arrested in connection with what Venezuelan officials call an assassination attempt on President Nicolas Maduro. The attack happened over the weekend as Maduro was giving a speech during a military parade. A pair of drones loaded with explosives flew right toward him. Live footage of the event showed Maduro suddenly looking up startled midspeech, while beside him his wife, Cilia Flores, winced after a loud bang and dozens of soldiers were seen scattering. Authorities were able to knock the drones off course and caused them to detonate away from Maduro. Appearing on TV a few hours later, Maduro blamed the attack on the far right in Venezuela and Colombia, outgoing Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Venezuelans living in the US. Venezuela has been gripped in chaos for a while now, with food and medicine shortages, soaring prices, political instability and violence causing thousands to flee the South American nation.   Russia investigation Did President Trump admit in a tweet that the 2016 Trump Tower meeting was never about Russian adoptions, as Team Trump has always maintained, and instead was just about getting dirt on Hillary Clinton? It seems so. The President was tweeting out his displeasure with reports that he's worried about son Donald Trump Jr.'s legal exposure in the Russia investigation. (He says he's not worried.) Then he wrote that the purpose of that meeting was "to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics." That pretty much contradicts everything the President and his team have previously said. CNN's Chris Cillizza says Trump is "twisting himself in knots" trying to explain the Trump Tower meeting.    Indonesian earthquake   At least 91 people were killed when a 6.9-magnitude earthquake and strong aftershocks hit the Indonesian resort islands of Bali and Lombok. About 200 people were injured, but the number of victims is expected to rise. It was the second big quake on Lombok in a week. A 6.4-magnitude earthquake shook the island July 29, killing more than a dozen people and briefly stranding hundreds of hikers on the slopes of a volcano.   NRA   Is the NRA in danger of shutting down? The influential gun advocacy organization claims it is -- if the state of New York keeps it from doing business with financial companies. In a lawsuit filed in May and amended in July, the NRA accuses New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of trying to stop banks and insurers from dealing with the gun rights group. The NRA says it will have to close its headquarters, shutter its internet presence and stop holding rallies if this doesn't stop. Cuomo said the state won't be "intimidated by the NRA's frivolous lawsuit to advance its dangerous gun-peddling agenda." New York has filed a motion to dismiss the case, and a hearing is scheduled for next month.   Hawaii   It's been a rough 2018 for the Aloha State. The year started off with that false missile alert in January. Then the Kilauea volcano started erupting on the Big Island back in May (and it may keep rumbling for years). Now the state is keeping a wary eye on a hurricane. Hurricane Hector is currently a category 4 storm. While it's expected to pass just south of the Big Island by midweek, it'll still be close enough to affect the islands. Gusty winds, rough surf, coastal flooding, and rip currents are possible, the National Weather Service says, so residents are encouraged to dust off those emergency plans, just in case.   Summit sequel A second summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could happen later this year, a source tells CNN.   People are talking about these. Read up. Join in. Farewell, Mrs. Garrett Charlotte Rae had many roles in her career, but to us she'll always be Mrs. Garrett from "Different Strokes" and "The Facts of Life." Rae died Sunday at age 92. The captain is back Patrick Stewart's Jean-Luc Picard is returning to space in a new "Star Trek" series, and fanboys and girls everywhere are rapturous. 'I will keep fighting' Demi Lovato speaks out for the first time since her apparent drug overdose, giving thanks and vowing to continue down the road to recovery. Crypto coffee Don't have cash but still want that latte? Fear not, coffee lovers. Starbucks may soon let you pay for your fix with cryptocurrencies, like bitcoin. A random act A world famous rapper and actor made her day -- right in the grocery checkout line -- and now she wants to pay that kindness forward. 44 The number of people shot in just 14 hours Sunday in Chicago. Five of the victims died of their injuries. The Windy City has struggled with high shooting and murder rates in recent years. I support LJ.   NBA legend Michael Jordan, joining others -- including first lady Melania Trump -- in standing up for Lebron James after President Trump trashed James in a tweet over the weekend. Chase it down It's Monday, so let's get after it, like this tortoise is going after this lawnmower. (Click to view) Share Tweet ALL CNN NEWSLETTERS CNN Five Things shows up in your inbox every weekday at 6 a.m. ET. Like what you see? Don't like what you see? Let us know. We're all about self improvement. Did a friend forward you this newsletter? Sign yourself up! Sign up to get updates on your favorite CNN Original Series, special CNN news coverage and other newsletters. Copyright © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc. A WarnerMedia Company, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to CNN's 5 Things newsletter. update preferences or unsubscribe