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The main roads that run into the district of Haizhu stood almost silent this morning.

While such arterial roads would usually be teeming with traffic, there were just a handful of cars.

The reason for that was the big red barricades blocking the four-lane dual carriageway. Just a few cars made it past. Ours, along with most others, were waved away.

Beyond is a district in lockdown, home to the vast majority of Guangzhou’s COVID cases.

The city is responsible for around a third of China’s total infections.

Haizhu is the epicentre of the epicentre.

Read more: COVID-19: ‘Situation is getting worse across China’

Using another route, we were able to get closer, right up to a blue-fenced cordon.

This area was, unexpectedly, a hive of activity.

People on mopeds slung extra supplies over the barriers while others stood on bollards to peek over the top, calling out to friends on the other side.

A community volunteer truck filled with food was permitted to drive in.

People stuck inside are allowed to leave their homes to buy food and get tested, but all other shops are closed, as are schools and offices.

It’s been this way for nearly a month and there’s a sense people are tired.

One man waved at us from behind the barrier and said: “Film my hands reaching out for freedom.”

He didn’t want to tell us his name, but he did want to tell us what this lockdown is like.

“The Government told us that lockdown would last three days. Then after [that] three more, then three more, and now three more,” he said from behind the corrugated iron fence. “We are frustrated.”

A temporary wall enclosing a shopping area considered high risk for COVID infections in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China. Pic: AP
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A temporary wall closes off a shopping street in Guangzhou

And although there are no reports anyone is going hungry, as happened in Shanghai earlier this year, he added: “Most supplies are in short supply because many places are locked down and people cannot move freely.”

But there is a sense a health crisis might well be under way. Cases are on the verge of hitting the highest numbers that have been seen at any point during the pandemic and the authorities have reported deaths for the first time in six months – three people in the last two days.

Across town a massive hospital is being constructed, a grim sign of what might be to come.

The government, it seems, is aware of the costs. It called last week for measures to be “optimised” to make the response more targeted and less blanket.

Some cities began experimenting with winding back mass testing.

But when faced with surging cases, under-pressure local leaders seem to be turning to the familiar playbook of closure and control.

People line up to take COVID tests in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China. Pic: cnsphoto via Reuters
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People pictured lining up to take COVID tests in the city

In Guangzhou city centre, for instance, there are far fewer cases, but bars and restaurants have been ordered to shut.

Ms Chen, the manager at the How Rich bar, told us that they got the news just as they finished putting up their World Cup decorations. She says that even though she supports the policy, she was disappointed.

“The impact on our business is no earnings. We cannot work normally. Like an old saying says: ‘Stop working, stop eating.'”

Getting out of zero-COVID was always going to be incredibly difficult. There is a narrow line between testing and lockdowns, or cases and deaths, in a population with such low levels of immunity.

What’s clear is that zero-COVID will be tested in the coming days and weeks, as will the government response.

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Shein investigates after likeness of accused killer Luigi Mangione used to model shirt on fashion giant’s website

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Shein investigates after likeness of accused killer Luigi Mangione used to model shirt on fashion giant's website

Fashion giant Shein has opened an investigation after a shirt was advertised on its site, modelled by a man bearing a striking resemblance to Luigi Mangione, who is accused of murdering a US healthcare chief executive.

The image with Mangione’s likeness, wearing a white, short-sleeved shirt, has since been taken down.

Shein, one of the world’s biggest fast fashion retailers, told Sky News: “The image in question was provided by a third-party vendor and was removed immediately upon discovery.

“We have stringent standards for all listings on our platform. We are conducting a thorough investigation, strengthening our monitoring processes, and will take appropriate action against the vendor in line with our policies.”

The listing was taken down on Wednesday afternoon, according to reports.

As news of the image spread across social media on Tuesday, and ‘Luigi Mangione Shein’ reportedly began trending, many speculated that the picture had been created by AI or photo-shopped.

Some supporters of Mangione accused Shein of using his likeness, while his critics have also described using the photo as a new low.

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Mangione, 27, is facing trial for fatally shooting UnitedHealth’s insurance CEO, Brian Thompson, outside a New York City hotel in December.

UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer Brian Thompson.
Pic: UnitedHealth Group/AP
Image:
UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer Brian Thompson.
Pic: UnitedHealth Group/AP

Mr Thompson, 50, was shot dead as he walked to a Manhattan hotel where the company, the largest private health insurance firm in the US, was hosting an investor conference.

Mangione denies the state and federal charges against him, including first-degree murder “in furtherance of an act of terrorism”, two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of stalking and a firearms offence.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty if he is convicted, saying Mangione targeted Mr Thompson and that he “presents a future danger because he expressed an intent to target an entire industry, and rally political and social opposition to that industry, by engaging in an act of lethal violence”.

After the killing, Mangione was portrayed as a folk hero by some of those opposed to the US healthcare system.

Rallies took place outside court during his appearances and some supporters pledged funds to his defence.

Read more on Sky News:
Chaos and violence on LA’s streets
China’s army of the future on show
France’s government ‘on the brink’

Shein, founded in China in 2012, has built its global reputation on inexpensive, fast-moving fashion trends that attract Gen Z and younger millennials. Its products are shipped to more than 100 countries.

In January, a senior company lawyer was unable to say if the company sells products containing cotton from Xinjiang, the region of China where it’s alleged members of the Uyghur ethnic group are forced to work against their will, accusations China denies.

Sky News has contacted Shein for comment.

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At least 15 killed after Lisbon’s iconic Gloria funicular derails

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At least 15 killed after Lisbon's iconic Gloria funicular derails

At least 15 people have been killed and 18 are injured after the iconic Gloria funicular in Lisbon derailed and crashed, emergency services have said.

Five of the injured are in a serious condition, the National Institute for Medical Emergencies said in a statement.

Footage from the site showed the tram-like funicular, which is popular with tourists, practically destroyed and emergency workers pulling people out of the wreckage.

Authorities would not identify the victims or disclose their nationalities, but said some foreign nationals were among the dead.

The UK Foreign Office has said it is in touch with authorities in Lisbon and is ready to “provide consular assistance if there are any affected British nationals”.

Lisbon’s mayor Carlos Moedas has said there will be three days of mourning for the victims of the “tragic accident”.

He added: “I extend my heartfelt condolences to all the families and friends of the victims. Lisbon is in mourning.”

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It is not immediately clear what caused the crash which happened at around 6pm – the start of evening rush hour.

Eyewitnesses told local media that the funicular careered down the hill, apparently out of control.

Images show how the yellow and white carriage fell apart as a result of the crash.

Pic: AP
Image:
Pic: AP

Pic: AP
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Pic: AP

The Gloria, which can carry more than 40 people, is one of three funiculars in the Portuguese capital and is classified as a national monument.

It connects downtown Lisbon with the neighbourhood of Bairro Alto and is commonly used by both residents and tourists.

Two carriages attached to the same haulage cable run parallel to each other as they shuttle up and down the hill for a few hundred metres.

The second carriage was apparently undamaged, but footage aired by CNN Portugal showed it jolting violently, with several passengers jumping out of its windows, when the other one derailed.

Emergency services at the scene. Pic: AP
Image:
Emergency services at the scene. Pic: AP

Mr Moedas told the Portuguese news site Diario de Noticia: “It is a tragedy that has never happened in our city. The moment is for action and help. I thank you all for the response in a few minutes. The only thing I can say is that it is a very tragic day.”

It comes as Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has offered his condolences to families affected by the tragedy.

Meanwhile EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has written on X: “It is with sadness that I learned of the derailment of the famous ‘Elevador da Glória’. My condolences to the families of the victims.”

Portugal’s defence minister Nuno Melo said: “The accident in Lisbon with the Gloria elevator was a tragedy that caused strong commotion and consternation in Portugal and in the world… I express all my solidarity and offer heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.”

An investigation into the cause will begin once the rescue operation is over, the Portuguese government said in a statement.

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Nuclear power, cyber troops and robot wolves – China’s army of the future on full display

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Nuclear power, cyber troops and robot wolves - China's army of the future on full display

China’s status as a military superpower was on full display as Beijing marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Tens of thousands of troops, tanks and armoured vehicles moved through Tiananmen Square on Wednesday, along with a fearsome array of missiles. Fighter jets soared overhead.

While ostensibly a day to mark the decades since the end of the world’s biggest war, it’s clear that Xi Jinping was looking towards the future in the message he sent to the West.

“They want to advertise to the world that they’re doing old and new,” military analyst Michael Clarke told Sky News. “So they were showing the enormity of what they’ve got in in traditional terms, but also some of the new things.”

Indeed, the event featured many weapons and equipment that had never been seen in public before.

In this story, Sky News looks at what units and military hardware were on display in the Chinese capital.

Flags flutter as soldiers participate in a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Pic: Reuters
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Flags flutter as soldiers participate in a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Pic: Reuters

Land forces

Huge numbers of soldiers from various wings of China’s armed forces made up the bulk of the parade, marching in perfect lockstep in neat rows.

As well as the traditional elements from the army and navy, the procession also featured newer pieces like the cyberspace unit.

The new unit is in charge of cybersecurity defence measures, the Xinhua state news agency says, and also took part in live-fire drills.

Another new unit was the information support force, which was created in 2024 to build network information systems to support military combat readiness.

Tanks as part of the military parade
Image:
Tanks as part of the military parade

Nuclear triad on display for the first time

Also rolling through the square were an array of missiles, including those that form China’s strategic nuclear capability.

For the first time, Beijing unveiled its nuclear triad of air, land and sea-based missiles.

This included the JL-1 air-based long-range missile, JL-3 submarine-launched intercontinental missile, DF-61 land-based intercontinental missile, and the new type DF-31 land-based intercontinental missile.

The weapons are China’s strategic “ace” power to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and nation’s dignity, according to Xinhua.

China is one of four countries known to possess a nuclear triad, along with the US, Russia and India.

YJ-17 hypersonic anti-ship missiles. Pic: Reuters
Image:
YJ-17 hypersonic anti-ship missiles. Pic: Reuters

Other missiles on display included hypersonic anti-ship missiles that China has previously tested against mockups of US aircraft carriers, such as the Yingji-19, Yingji-17 and Yingji-20.

“These are designed to frighten the United States,” Mr Clarke says, with reference to the Pacific Ocean where US warships patrol from their 7th Fleet headquarters in Japan.

Read more:
Analysis: President Xi’s message to the West
How China’s parade compares to other military spectacles

Drones and robot wolves

China also put a number of its unmanned weapon systems on display, evidence of the changing nature of modern warfare.

Arguably the most interesting were the so-called ‘robot wolves’.

'Robot wolves' carried on vehicles
Image:
‘Robot wolves’ carried on vehicles

There were also underwater drones such as the AJX002, a long, black tube-shaped craft that looks like a narrow submarine with a rear propeller.

The military also showed off unmanned helicopters that are designed to be launched from ships.

Air-defence laser weapons that have been recently developed. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Air-defence laser weapons that have been recently developed. Pic: Reuters

Like other militaries, China has also been developing laser weapons to defend against drone attacks – one of which was on display today as well.

As attack drones get more advanced – and numerous – a counter drive to develop cheaper ways of shooting them down is ongoing.

“The one that they kept under wraps was this laser gun,” Mr Clarke said. “It was all under tarpaulin in the rehearsals – and suddenly there it was. It was like a big searchlight on a vehicle.

“Laser guns, despite James Bond films, are not quite as ground-breaking as people think, but there it was: a new laser gun.”

Air force

Beijing has developed a number of advanced aircraft in recent years, and several of them were on display on Wednesday.

Soaring above the parade were China’s two fifth-generation fighter jets, the Chengdu J-20 and Shenyang J-35A.

J-16D, J-20, and J-35A fighter jets fly over Tiananmen Square. Pic: Reuters
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J-16D, J-20, and J-35A fighter jets fly over Tiananmen Square. Pic: Reuters

Both have stealth capabilities and are designed to try to rival the US air force’s F-35 jet.

China has two of the five fifth-generation fighter jets currently known to operate globally. The others are the American F-35 (also operated by the UK and other allies) and F-22, as well as the Russian Su-57.

China showing off its range – and numbers

“What they’re showing here is that they’ve got a full panoply of weapons systems,” Mr Clarke says, pointing to the various land, sea and air assets.

“Whether they can link them together in combined arms warfare, we don’t know, because they haven’t fought a major war since the 1950s… but on paper it’s extremely impressive.”

He added: “It’s not as big as the American military yet, but it certainly rivals it. And it certainly worries American military planners.”

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