Ukraine says children among 14 killed in Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih
At least 50 people have been wounded in ballistic missile attack on residential area, local authorities say. At least 14 people, including six children, have been killed in a Russian missile attack on a residential area of the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, making it one of Moscow’s deadliest strikes this year. Friday’s attack on Zelenskyy’s hometown, which comes as United States President Donald Trump is pushing for a ceasefire in the war, damaged residential blocks and caused fires, Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak wrote on the Telegram messaging app. The dead and wounded could be seen lying on the pavement, one of them by a playground, in unverified videos circulating on Telegram as grey smoke rose into the sky. At least 50 people were wounded, the emergency services said, adding that the figure was growing. More than 30 people, including a three-month-old baby, were admitted to hospital, Lysak said. Russian forces used a ballistic missile for the strike, according to human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. Such weapons take just minutes to reach their targets and are difficult to shoot down for all but high-end air defences. Advertisement “Not a single military facility – just civilian infrastructure,” Lubinets wrote on Telegram. Russia’s Defence Ministry said it had launched a missile at a gathering of Ukrainian servicemen and foreign instructors in the city. “As a result of the strike, enemy losses total up to 85 servicemen and officers of foreign countries, as well as up to 20 vehicles,” the ministry said on Telegram. Zelenskyy said on Friday that the rescue effort was under way and called on the West to exert greater pressure on Moscow. “The whole world sees it. Each missile, every attack drone proves that Russia seeks only war,” he wrote on Telegram. Earlier, Russia launched a barrage of drones in an overnight attack, killing at least four people and injuring 35 in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, regional officials said. In the fourth such strike on the city so far this week, Russian drones hit residential quarters, damaging several multistorey apartment blocks and causing multiple fires. Zelenskyy also said Russia had launched a drone attack at a thermal power plant in the southern city of Kherson, accusing Moscow of violating a US-brokered moratorium on attacks on energy infrastructure. Later on Friday, Russian drones staged another “massive” attack on Kryvyi Rih, local officials aid, adding that the strikes caused fire at four different areas in the city. The United States said last week that it had agreed with Russia and Ukraine that they would cease strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure, the first such step since Trump took office in January. Advertisement Both sides have since accused each other of flouting the agreement. Kyiv said it had earlier agreed to a US proposal for a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire, but Russia rejected such a step in separate talks with US officials. Adblock test (Why?)
New book details Obama’s strained relationship with Democratic party: ‘Obama destroyed that s—‘
Former President Barack Obama sought to distance himself from the Democratic Party after leaving it in shambles following his departure from the White House, according to a new book. The book, “Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House,” published by William Morrow and Company, claims that Obama was never a Democratic Party loyalist. Instead, the authors allege, Obama curried favor from a group of “Black professionals” for his campaigns, unlike former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and former President Joe Biden. Additionally, Obama’s creation of Organizing for Action — a nonprofit that launched in 2012 following Obama’s re-election to advance his legislative priorities — fractured the Democratic Party, according to the book, authored by political journalists Jonathan Allen of NBC News and Amie Parnes of The Hill. “Though Organizing for Action never realized his vision, it competed with the party for power and money,” the book said. “He left the Democratic Party far weaker than he found it. Or, as one Black party operative put it, ‘Obama destroyed that s—.’” KAMALA HARRIS WAS ‘VERY ANNOYED’ WITH OBAMA AS SHE SOUGHT HIS ENDORSEMENT, BOOK REVEALS The book also detailed how the Clintons, along with Biden and former Democratic National Committee Chair Donna Brazile and a few other party operatives, sought to “rebuild the party infrastructure” following Obama’s 2016 departure from the White House. This meant preventing far-left Democrats from seizing control of the party and ensuring party loyalists ran the show, according to the book. “By helping install party loyalists at the national and state committees over the course of years, these establishment Democrats kept progressive outsiders at bay. ‘You know who did that?’ said one Black Biden ally familiar with the maneuvering. ‘Bill and Hillary motherf—ing Clinton,’” the book related. “Fight,” released Tuesday, also revealed how Obama remained hesitant to back former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election to replace Biden, amid concerns about his mental fitness. The book claimed that Obama didn’t believe Harris had the capacity to beat now-President Donald Trump in the November 2024 race, frustrating Harris. Ultimately, Obama endorsed Harris five days after Biden announced he would not run for office again in the 2024 race — a delay that offended Harris and required some “mending” between the two Democrats, a source close to Obama said, Allen and Parnes wrote. A spokesperson for Obama’s press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Even so, Obama’s wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, appeared at the Democratic National Convention in August 2024 after Harris clinched the party’s nomination. TENSIONS ALLEGEDLY RISE BETWEEN BIDEN WHITE HOUSE AND HARRIS CAMPAIGN: ‘TOO MUCH IN THEIR FEELINGS’ “Kamala Harris is more than ready for this moment,” Michelle Obama said at the convention. “She is one of the most qualified people ever to seek the office of the presidency and she is one of the most dignified — a tribute to her mother, to my mother, and probably to your mother, too, the embodiment of the stories we tell ourselves about this country.” Meanwhile, Democrat strategists predict that Barack Obama’s influence over the Democratic Party is waning, and some have suggested he is out of touch with the appeal of Trump. For example, political commentator and author Ben Burgess wrote an op-ed after Obama delivered a speech at the Obama Democracy Forum that part of the “problem” is Obama doesn’t understand why Trump won the 2024 election and that the American public should stop listening to the former president. “Obama’s characteristic rhetorical virtues were on full display,” Burgess wrote in December 2024 for MSNBC, following Obama’s speech. “He was a constitutional law professor before he was a politician, and he still sounds like one. At the same time, he was a once-in-a-generation talent as a political communicator. He knows how to convey a complex set of ideas in a digestible and appealing way.” “But there was a massive gaping hole at the center of his speech,” the op-ed stated. “He still doesn’t understand why his eight years in power culminated in the rise of Trump.” “Fight” details how Trump secured the White House for a second term and the fallout of his victory for the Democratic Party. It is based on interviews Allen and Parnes conducted with more than 150 political insiders, according to the book’s description. Fox News’ Hanna Panreck and Emma Colton contributed to this report.
Texas sues San Antonio over abortion funding
Attorney General Ken Paxton previously sued the City of Austin for helping residents travel out-of-state for abortions.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: ‘Liberation Day’ Backstory
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… –Dem Jasmine Crockett silent as aide attempts to intimidate, block reporter’s question about violence -Reporter’s Notebook: The Senate’s all-night session on the big, beautiful bill –Biden green energy project goes down in flames For decades, President Donald Trump has remained a staunch advocate for tariffs — routinely declaring the word one of the most beautiful in the dictionary and regularly accusing foreign countries of ripping off the U.S. Following through on 2024 campaign promises and building upon policies his first administration introduced, Trump unveiled a series of historic tariffs at the White House’s Rose Garden Wednesday for a “Make America Wealthy Again” event as part of a day his administration dubbed “Liberation Day” for the U.S. While some lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have voiced concern over the policy, tariffs are an area where Trump’s views have remained incredibly consistent over the years, as he has routinely decried that other countries have treated the U.S. unfairly in trade deals…Read more MONEY TALKS: Trump admin halting more than $500M in federal funding to Brown University over antisemitism response ‘DEEPLY CONCERNED’: Obama urges Americans to ‘possibly sacrifice’ in resisting Trump policies TARIFF TANTRUM: Trump’s China tariffs face legal challenge from conservative group calling them ‘unlawful’ CALIFORNIA PLEADIN’: Newsom to ask world leaders to exempt California exports from retaliatory tariffs ‘ABSOLUTELY RIGHT’: Rubio, in Europe, says US has to ‘reset the global order of trade’ and Trump is ‘absolutely right to do it’ SECURITY RISK: Houthis shoot down third US reaper drone as Trump administration continues daily airstrikes WARNING STRIKE: In warning to Turkey, Israel hits strategic targets in Syria amid rising tensions BUCKING TRUMP: One Republican senator voted against confirming Trump nominee Harmeet Dhillon VOTE-A-RAMA: Republicans charge ahead on Trump budget, setting up marathon Senate votes VOTED DOWN: 15 Democrats back Sanders’ failed resolutions to cancel military aid to Israel ‘GOLDEN’ AGE: Democrat Rep. Jared Golden says his party’s moving in ‘wrong direction’ on trade TACKLING TRUMP TARIFFS: Dem senator looks to hijack key Trump budget process with tariff challenge HAUGH OUT: National Security Agency Director Gen. Haugh fired, civilian deputy director reassigned TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK: Maryland bill creating commission to study, recommend slavery reparations heads to governor’s desk GAME FACE: Illegal accused in jogger Rachel Morin’s murder set to face family, jury ‘THEY ARE TERRORISTS’: 3 alleged MS-13 gang members in Florida hit with federal murder charges TRAVELERS BEWARE: Iowa student’s passport seizure in Dominican Republic raises red flags for Americans traveling: what to know Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Judge targeted by GOP for impeachment deals blow to Trump’s FEMA objectives
A Rhode Island federal judge targeted for impeachment dealt the Trump administration a legal blow on Friday, ordering it to lift a freeze on federal funds. U.S. District Judge John McConnell ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to unfreeze federal funds to states after plaintiffs alleged the agency had failed to comply with an earlier court order. The lawsuit was originally launched by 22 states and the District of Columbia, challenging the Trump administration’s decision to block funding for programs like the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant and other environmental initiatives. LAWSUIT TRACKER: NEW RESISTANCE BATTLING TRUMP’S SECOND TERM THROUGH ONSLAUGHT OF LAWSUITS TAKING AIM AT EOS Plaintiffs in the suit, including the states of New York, California, Illinois and Rhode Island, argued that FEMA’s implementation of a manual review process for payment requests violated a previous preliminary injunction issued by McConnell. The states argued that the review “constitutes ‘a categorical pause or freeze of funding appropriate by Congress.’” The defendants, which include President Donald Trump and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), responded that the review did not violate the order because “FEMA is relying on its own independent authorities to implement the process rather than the OMB Directive.” McConnell concluded that the plaintiffs had “presented evidence that strongly suggests that FEMA is implementing this manual review process based, covertly, on the President’s January 20, 2025 executive order.” COURTROOM COMBAT: INSIDE THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY SYSTEM WHERE TRUMP’S AGENDA IS UNDER ASSAULT “The Court reaffirms its preliminary injunction order,” McConnell wrote. McConnell had issued a restraining order in late January that enjoined the defendants from freezing federal funds. This came after OMB released a memo on Jan. 27 announcing the administration’s plans to temporarily pause federal grants and loans. The White House later rescinded the memo on Jan. 29. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the move didn’t equate a “recission of the federal funding freeze.” ‘CORRUPT, DANGEROUS’: GOP REP MOVES TO IMPEACH JUDGE WHO BLOCKED TRUMP FEDERAL FUNDS FREEZE After McConnell ordered the administration to comply with the restraining order, the government appealed to the First Circuit — which refused to stay the orders. McConnell also recently made headlines after becoming one of several federal judges hit with impeachment articles. Georgia Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde formally introduced his articles of impeachment against McConnell on March 24, after his initial announcement in February. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The articles, first shared with Fox News Digital, charged McConnell with abuse of power and conflicts of interest, stating he “knowingly politicized and weaponized his judicial position to advance his own political views and beliefs.” “The American people overwhelmingly voted for President Trump in November, providing a clear mandate to make our federal government more efficient,” Clyde told Fox News Digital. “Yet Judge McConnell, who stands to benefit from his own injunction, is attempting to unilaterally obstruct the president’s agenda and defy the will of the American people. Judge McConnell’s actions are corrupt, dangerous, and worthy of impeachment.” Fox News Digital’s Diana Stancy contributed to this report.
‘Absolute no’: Proxy voting is a dereliction of ‘constitutional duty,’ Nancy Mace says
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said, “As a woman and as a mom,” she does not support proxy voting exceptions for new mothers in Congress, a hotly debated topic that brought the House to a grinding halt this week. A bill sponsored by conservative firebrand Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., and Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo., which would let new parents vote by proxy for 12 weeks while caring for their newborns, appears to have split the GOP. While President Donald Trump has said he supports proxy voting for new parents in Congress, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has said he believes proxy voting is “unconstitutional.” With 218 lawmakers backing the move, it has enough support to force a vote. TRUMP SUPPORTS PROXY VOTING FOR NEW MOTHERS IN CONGRESS: ‘DON’T KNOW WHY IT’S CONTROVERSIAL’ After Democrats and nine Republicans blocked an effort to sideline the issue, prompting Johnson to call the House into recess for the rest of the week, Mace said she is an “absolute no” on the question. “I’m an absolute no on any and all proxy voting. It’s wrong,” Mace told Fox News Digital. “We have a job. We have a constitutional duty to show up here and work, and we should.” Asked whether any exceptions should be made for new mothers and fathers in Congress, Mace answered, “Nope, none, zero.” PRESIDENT TRUMP, CONSERVATIVES CELEBRATE ‘ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE’ FLORIDA SPECIAL ELECTIONS SWEEP “As a woman and as a mom, I want to make it on my own merit,” she added. “I don’t want to be given an exception for anything. I want to be able to make here like any man would.” Addressing other hot questions about exceptions for women, Mace also shared that she strongly supports Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s moves on standards. “Doing it based on merit and making the standards be the same, I think that’s good for our country. It’s good for those who are willing to risk their lives, put their lives on the line for their fellow countrymen,” she said. SCOOP: WHITE HOUSE RALLIES HOUSE GOP ON TRUMP TARIFF PLAN IN SECRET CALL “I love what Pete Hegseth is doing,” she added. “I think he’s doing a remarkable job, and he’s bringing so much transparency to DOD and the Pentagon. And where they failed, then he is trying to pick up the pieces and put it back together, including how men and women are treated in uniform and how we are combat-ready.” Despite changes to standards, Mace predicted a “major uptick with recruitment” in all military branches under Trump and Hegseth’s leadership, saying, “I think we’ve got great things to come. Our enemies should be scared.”
Trump again extends deadline for TikTok sale to avoid US ban
President Donald Trump pauses enforcement of law requiring Bytedance to divest from TikTok or face ban in the US. United States President Donald Trump has again extended a deadline for owners of the popular video app TikTok to sell to non-Chinese buyers or be banned in the US. The executive order announced on Friday would extend the deadline by 75 days. Trump had previously extended a January deadline set out in the law passed by the US Congress last year. “My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress,” Trump posted on the Truth Social network, which he owns. He added “the deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed.” “We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the Deal,” Trump said. The 2024 law, passed with bipartisan support, had mandated that the platform be divested from Chinese technology company ByteDance or barred in the US, citing data harvesting and national security concerns. Earlier this year, the US Supreme Court ruled that the national security concerns outweighed freedom of speech concerns and allowed the law to stand. Advertisement But on his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order pausing the ban. The order said the delay would allow the Trump administration “the opportunity to determine the appropriate course forward in an orderly way that protects national security while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans”. The Trump administration has since received an array of offers from US businesses seeking to buy the platform, but ByteDance has so far publicly insisted it has no plans to sell the app. The Reuters news agency has reported the administration is coalescing around a plan for the largest non-Chinese investors in ByteDance to increase their stakes and acquire the app’s US operations. That would entail creating a new US entity for TikTok and diluting Chinese ownership to below the 20 percent threshold required by US law, according to the report. For its part, TikTok, which has headquarters in Singapore and Los Angeles, has said it prioritises user safety, and China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said China’s government has never and will not ask companies to “collect or provide data, information or intelligence” held in foreign countries. In response to Trump’s announcement, ByteDance confirmed it was in talks with the US government, but warned that there remained “key matters” to solve. “An agreement has not been executed,” the company said. Trump has also floated reducing tariffs on China, which will reach 54 percent on April 10, following Wednesday’s reciprocal tariff announcement, to push through a deal with ByteDance. Advertisement TikTok is not owned by China’s government and its leaders have denied influence, although critics have pointed to Beijing’s increased controls on the country’s tech industry. About half of the US population uses TikTok, making it one of the most popular social media platforms in the country. Adblock test (Why?)
Barcelona vs Real Betis: LaLiga – team news, kickoff, how to follow, stream
Al Jazeera’s preview as Barcelona attempt to move six points clear in LaLiga when they face Real Betis on Saturday. Who: Barcelona vs Real BetisWhat: Spanish LaLigaWhere: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, SpainWhen: Saturday at 8pm (18:00 GMT) Follow Al Jazeera Sport‘s live text and photo commentary stream. LaLiga leaders Barcelona’s 21-game unbeaten run will face a test on Saturday when they host Real Betis – a side who have already stunned the Catalans’ Madrid title rivals Real and Atletico. Al Jazeera takes a look at a match that could upset Barca’s form book. How are Barcelona and Real Madrid faring? Barca are top on 66 points, three ahead of Real Madrid and nine clear of Atletico. Real and Barca are both chasing three trophies but the pacesetters are favourites to win LaLiga as the only team in Europe’s top-five leagues yet to lose in 2025. Why do people think Betis can upset Barca? Barca’s next opponents Betis are on a six-game LaLiga winning streak and have been the surprise package this term. They denied Real Madrid a chance to go top with a 2-1 win in March after ending Atletico’s 10-game unbeaten run in October. Advertisement Barcelona were held 2-2 at Betis in the reverse fixture in December but thrashed Manuel Pellegrini’s side 5-1 to knock them out of the Copa del Rey in January. Sixth-placed Betis are level on 47 points with Villarreal in fifth and trail fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao by six as they push for a European spot while also bidding to win the Conference League. Hansi Flick when asked about the treble ☘ pic.twitter.com/qHPNS6s7Ou — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 3, 2025 What do Barcelona say before Betis test? “We are not unbeatable because we have lost some matches (before),” Barcelona midfielder Pedri said. “There are things to improve, and we must be self-critical. But we are in great form and full of confidence. “I think high pressing is something that defines us. That forward line, the intensity we play with, staying calm on the ball … The attackers make the difference, and it shows.” What are Barca’s treble chances? Barcelona’s attacking prowess stands out as they top LaLiga’s scoring chart with 82 goals – 20 more than Real Madrid. If Barca are to claim a treble – in boss Hansi Flick’s debut season – they will likely need to beat Madrid at least twice, in the Copa del Rey final on April 26 and in LaLiga in May. There is also the potential of a “Clasico” in the Champions League final. Real have failed to beat their rivals in LaLiga so far this season, drawing both of their fixtures with Atleti and suffering a 4-0 humiliation at home to Barca. They had to go through the playoffs to reach the Champions League knockout rounds. 🔥 @lewy_official is the first #LALIGAEASPORTS player to score 25 goals in the first 28 games of a season since Lionel messi for @fcbarcelona in 2018/19 campaign (29 goals). pic.twitter.com/dYXwP3uIiy — LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) April 4, 2025 Advertisement Flick plays down Barca’s treble chances “I know everyone wants us to talk about the final, it’s a ‘Clasico’, I get that, but I don’t live in the past or in the future and our focus should be Betis, who are our next opponents in LaLiga,” Flick told a news conference. “Yes, we are in a great moment but I’ve been in this business enough time to know how everything can change in a heartbeat, so we need to keep focused. “Dreaming is allowed but first we need to work really hard and stay focused so we can keep that dream alive.” Who are Real Madrid and Atletico playing? With nine league games remaining, second-placed Real will look to keep pace on Saturday when they host 15th-placed Valencia, who sit four points above the drop zone. Third-placed Atletico will try to rediscover their early-season form when they visit mid-table Sevilla on Sunday. Atletico’s Champions League exit to Real Madrid was followed this week by defeat in the Copa del Rey by Barcelona as Diego Simeone’s side’s winless run stretched to three matches, with fans fearing a fourth straight season without a trophy. Barcelona team news Lamine Yamal faces a late fitness test due to a cut suffered to his foot in the win against Girona. Dani Olmo, Marc Casado, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen all remain absent due to injuries. Real Betis team news Isco is suspended due to his accumulation of yellow cards this season. Marc Roca is set to miss out once more due to a foot injury. Adblock test (Why?)
US Federal Reserve warns of inflation, unemployment from Trump tariffs
NewsFeed The US now faces a higher risk of inflation and increased unemployment because of President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs, the Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced just days after their implementation. Published On 4 Apr 20254 Apr 2025 Adblock test (Why?)
Chinese-owned GNC stores operating on US military bases spark national security concerns
While much of Congress focuses on banning China from buying land near U.S. military bases, freshman Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., says the Chinese Communist Party already has a direct presence on those installations – through national nutrition chain GNC. A bill released by Harrigan this week, the Military Installation Retail Security Act of 2025, would ban any companies of Chinese, North Korean, Iranian or Russian ownership from operating on military bases. “This is actually a situation where the CCP is operating on our military bases. It’s even crazier [than foreign land purchases],” Harrigan told Fox News Digital. In June 2020, vitamin retailer GNC filed for bankruptcy and was wholly acquired by Harbin Pharmaceuticals, a partially state-owned enterprise in China. Harbin had previously acquired a 40% stake in GNC in 2018. ‘MIND-BOGGLING’: SPACE FORCE CHIEF FIRES OFF DIRE WARNING ABOUT CHINESE CAPABILITY TO KNOCK OUT US SATELLITES In 2019, GNC agreed to integrate its manufacturing with International Vitamin Corporation (IVC), which has a consortium of Chinese investors. The company, founded in Pittsburgh, had already been operating on U.S. bases for years at the time of its sale, and its potential to help with Chinese surveillance on military bases was overlooked. Now, some 85 GNC stores operate on U.S. military bases. They operate under what are known as “long term concessions” contracts, meaning they are operated, staffed and supplied by GNC. “This is a really ripe target for intelligence gathering,” said Harrigan. “This is no joke about defending the integrity of our military, making sure that foreign adversaries who are actively seeking to undermine us don’t have the opportunity to do that from within our military bases.” “You know who these people are, the customers you’ve got, their purchasing habits. You have access to sensitive health information based on the type of products that they’re purchasing,” he said. The store could identify individuals with vulnerabilities by tracking frequent purchases of testosterone, sleep aids, or anxiety supplements, Harrigan said. It could also monitor deployment cycles based on changes in buying patterns, he added. Harrigan warned that GNC’s access could even allow adversaries to introduce banned or harmful substances – or counterfeit products – to degrade military readiness. US BANS ROMANTIC AND SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHINESE CITIZENS FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES IN CHINA The store also poses potential cyber risks, Harrigan said, noting that in-store WiFi and mobile data tracking could reveal troop geolocations. Loyalty apps and promotional materials, he warned, could be used to embed malicious links or software. Fox News Digital reached out to GNC for comment but did not receive a response prior to publication. Lawmakers have introduced dozens of bills aimed at blocking China from buying U.S. land near sensitive military sites – a movement that gained urgency after Chinese food producer Fufeng Group purchased 370 acres near a North Dakota Air Force base in 2022. China owned around 350,000 acres of farmland across 27 states as of last year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. GNC Holdings appeared on the System for Award Management – the federal registry for government contractors – in 2023 and 2024, despite not being required to register due to its long-term concessions contract. The company did not disclose its Chinese ownership on the website, and let its registration expire in October 2024. As a U.S. senator from Florida, Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised alarms in 2020 over GNC’s sale to Harbin, warning that customers’ personal data could be handed over to the Chinese Communist Party. He urged the Treasury Department to launch a national security review. Despite those concerns, Bankruptcy Judge Karen Owens approved the $770 million sale. Since then, GNC has capitalized on renewed interest in health and wellness to grow its footprint to more than 4,000 stores in the U.S. and 2,000 internationally, according to the company’s website.