Your morning Briefing: Hot air: NZ carbon test for Morrison

Your 2-minute digest of today’s top stories and must-reads.

Hello readers. Jacinda Ardern challenges ScoMo on climate change, and no day off for Steve Smith despite rain at Lord’s.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern talks to the media Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, in Wellington, New Zealand. While abortions have been available in New Zealand for decades, the procedure is still regulated under the Crimes Act which came into force in 1961. Many say that presents unnecessary obstacles for women who are seeking abortions. (AP Photo/Nick Perry)

Ardern’s climate change challenge to ScoMo

Jacinda Ardern has challenged Scott Morrison to explain his position on climate change as Australia fends off attacks on emissions policies. Graham Lloyd writes that demanding Australia abandon coal for the good of the climate is akin to asking New Zealan­d to give up its love affair with sheep.

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Four cops shot

At least four police officers have been shot in Philadelphia, with at least one gunman still on the loose. The shooting began in the city’s suburb of Nicetown at around 6.30am AEST.

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Recession fears rock stocks

Wall Street has fallen sharply after the bond market flashed a recession warning for first time since 2007.

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CBD knifeman’s ‘descent into insanity’

The trail of events leading up to the stabbing death of Michaela Dunn, 24, and the wounding of Lin Bo, 41, began on the morning of August 7.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Steve Smith of Australia and Steve Waugh, Australian Team Mentor, look on as rain delays the start of play during day one of the 2nd Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on August 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

No day off for Smith

Even in the worst of the rain at Lord’s, champagne tents prospered … and Steve Smith prepared, according to Gideon Haigh.

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(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 29, 2019 China's President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with US President Donald Trump before a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka. - The US public's opinion of China has plummeted amid a surge in strategic and trade tensions in recent years, the Pew Research Center reported on August 13, 2019. The survey group said 60 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of China, the most in the 14 years since the survey began and up from 47 percent a year ago. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)

Hong Kong in terrible danger

Expect more Lenin than Confucius as Xi shores up his dictatorship over Hong Kong, Greg Sheridan suggests.

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Kudelka’s view

Jon Kudelka Letters Cartoon for 15-08-2019Version: Letters Cartoon (1280x720 - Aspect ratio preserved, Canvas added)COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications.Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.