Searchers have been scouring areas of interest for missing Christchurch woman Yanfei Bao. The real estate agent was last seen in Wigram last Wednesday, and police are now treating the disappearance as a homicide investigation. Efforts are focused on the Halswell River, Greenpark, Lake Terrace Road and near New Brighton and Palmers Road intersection. NZ Herald senior crime reporter Sam Sherwood says the duration of the investigation and new discoveries coming to light have caused police to launch a homicide investigation. "As the week has progressed, and in particular, the last couple of days, more information has come to light- which is now why they've launched a homicide investigation."

Fonterra's very likely to cut its milk price forecast for farmers soon and it is looking like this season's milk price will be below the break-even point for many farmers, according to Westpac economists. Giant dairy co-operative Fonterra has made an opening milk price forecast for the season that started last month of between $7.25-$8.75 per kilogram of milk solids, giving a 'mid-point' price of $8. He said that for many farmers, this season’s milk price is likely to be below their break-even point. $0.50/kg above our milk price forecast. With that in mind, plus the experience gained during previous downturns, we expect that farmers are well-placed to manage through this milk price cycle."

Lauren Dickason’s mother has taken the stand to give evidence at her triple murder trial. Her defence opened its case today - painting Dickason as a mentally disturbed woman in the depths of postpartum depression. The Herald's Anna Leask says her mother Wendy Fawkes told the court Dickason loved her kids, but she was concerned she'd have a 'breakdown'. "Well, her mum has spoken today about what Lauren was like as a parent. She said she was paranoid and over-protective, but there's no doubt in her mind that she loved those children."

READ MORE:* Quiz: Afternoon trivia challenge: July 2, 2023* Quiz: Morning trivia challenge: July 1, 2023* Quiz: Afternoon trivia challenge: July 1, 2023Got a good quiz question? Send your questions to quiz@stuff.co.nz

Act leader accused of politicising Kiri Allan’s mental health struggles in urgent debateAct leader David Seymour is being accused of politicising Kiri Allan’s mental health struggles after calling for the House to urgently debate the former Justice Minister’s resignation. We are a boiling cauldron of resentment towards one another, the ignorant arrogant reactionary Right vs the unforgiving puritanical woke Left. We are manipulated by social media hate algorithms and economic anxiety we can not navigate. It’s amazing the Political Right have such audacity to attack Kiri when they have staff in front of the courts for far, far, far worse! If you can’t contribute but want to help, please always feel free to share our blogs on social media

The renewal of local roads, footpaths and drinking water networks lags behind depreciation expenses. At the Local Government NZ conference, his niggling has ensured infrastructure maintenance and renewals are high on the agenda. Many of these assets are owned and looked after by public institutions – central government agencies and entities, and local councils. – Maxine Forde, infrastructure consultantMaxine Forde, infrastructure consultantMaxAsset Management principal Maxine Forde is one of New Zealand’s most recognised independent asset management consultants. "It would also help in my view if media were highlighting issues such as KiwiRail as asset management concerns, and asking why is it not better?"

Cabinet has approved legal changes to reverse the “astonishing” regulation blunder that accidentally loosened access restrictions to highly addictive opioid painkillers in the middle of a global overdose crisis. That’s despite opioid drugs contributing to 333 Kiwi overdose deaths from 2017-2021, according to the NZ Drug Foundation. In a submission calling for the regulation change to be reversed, then Pain Society president David Rice called the move “nothing short of astonishing”. As a result of the opposition, Cabinet on Monday approved legal changes to reverse the rule change blunder. George Frey/Reuters Opioid drugs contributed to 333 Kiwi overdose deaths from 2017-2021, according to the NZ Drug Foundation.

MANILA, Philippines – The final whistle echoed through Wellington Regional Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, and it wasn’t a dream — the Filipinas have won a match in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Against all odds — a World Cup appearance was only a pipe dream months ago — the Philippines has showed the world that they’re here, they’re real, and they’re determined to stay. Now, with all the confidence in the world, the Filipinas have a chance to continue pushing forward. With bated breath, the Filipinas and their countrymen all over the world await to write another page of history. --Editors’ Note: The author, a former full-time sports reporter for Philstar.com and now one of its contributors, has long been a passionate follower and chronicler of the Philippine women’s football team.

Wednesday, 26 July, 2023 - 13:58Frucor Suntory is excited to announce that iconic V Green, the most popular energy drink in New Zealand1, is getting a taste lift and Kiwis are the first to try it. The updated V Green builds upon V Energy’s commitment to ensuring it meets the tastes and preferences of its drinkers. "V Green has gained an extremely loyal following since its launch 26 years ago. Yorston is confident existing V Green drinkers will appreciate the change, as well as new or consumers of this iconic brand. V Green sits1 Source: Kantar brand health tracking, Sept 2022 - Feb 2023, n=1802 NZ non-rejectors of energy drinks, aged 16-64proudly alongside the wider V family - V Green Sugar-free, V Blue, V Blue Sugar-free, V Tropical Tang and V Raspberry Lemonade which will all start sporting the new brand logo and design, but with no change to the taste.

Police are searching the Halswell River in relation to missing woman Yanfei Bao. Reeves said police have established that a property in Trevor St, Hornby, was of significance to the investigation. Forensic staff are investigating a home on Trevor St, Hornby in relation to missing woman Yanfei Bao. Photo: NZ HeraldOn Tuesday, a police tent had been erected outside a home in Trevor St, Hornby as a forensic examination began. As part of inquiries into the disappearance of Yanfei Bao, police are seeking sightings of this vehicle, a silver Mitsubishi sedan, registration DPH101.

This heatwave is a climate omen. But it’s not too late to change courseA chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on theduring the past week: Sun, July 16, 2023 thru Sat, July 22, 2023. Story of the WeekThe warming of the planet ...

The Government has finally commissioned a review of New Zealand’s weather forecasting system, State Owned Enterprises Minister Duncan Webb says. “MetService Te Ratonga Tirorangi and NIWA Taihoro Nukurangi have capability critical to the delivery of aspects of weather forecasting in New Zealand. As the impacts of climate change become more frequent, we must ensure our weather forecasting system is cohesive,” Duncan Webb said. The Government says the weather forecasting review will inform the best approach to improving the system, focusing on the future needs, better integration across the forecasting system and relevant trends within the context of climate change. “A connected weather forecasting system that is integrated with our understanding of flooding impacts on communities and our nation’s infrastructure is essential.

Climate ChangeClimate optimist loses faith in oil and gas industryWhen Costa Rican diplomat Christiana Figueres says she no longer believes the oil and gas industry will do the right thing around climate change, it’s a big deal, including in New Zealand. “I have for years held space for the oil and gas industry to finally wake up and stand up to its critical responsibility in history. "Greenpeace has long said that for us all to have a future, the oil industry can have no future. The plan includes ending new oil, gas and coal exploration and extraction on land and at sea. “The fossil fuel industry carries a lot of weight – money talks.”Barry Coates says oil companies are "adding fuel to the fire of climate change".

Lauren Dickason told police she hadn't felt normal for months before killing her children in Timaru. A jury at the High Court in Christchurch has watched her police interview, filmed the day after the deaths. She admits the killings but says it wasn't murder, with a defence of insanity and infanticide. The Herald's Anna Leask says Dickason told police she'd been "thinking about it... for a while." "She told the police she'd been diagnosed with a major depressive disorder, however in the month before she came to New Zealand, she'd come off her meds because she was feeling better."

nzherald.co.nz published this video item, entitled “Safety concerns after Masterton rail crossing crash | Local Focus” – below is their description. After a train hit a car on a rail crossing at Norfolk Road this week, concerns have been raised in the Wairarapa region about road and rail safety. Full story: https://bit.ly/3rHZwFgPublic Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air. Subscribe and be notified of breaking news: https://goo.gl/LP45jXCheck out our playlists: https://goo.gl/Swd249Like NZ Herald on Facebook: https://goo.gl/tUC4oqFollow NZ Herald on Instagram: https://goo.gl/oLicXeFollow NZ Herald on Twitter: https://goo.gl/Wi6mbvnzherald.co.nz YouTube Channel