Azhar Merchant

Associate Producer for National Affairs at PBS

Associate Producer, National Affairs @newshour • @NewsHourUnion • alum @UF • [email protected]

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Articles

How the Trump administration’s plans to slash NASA’s budget will impact science

3 weeks ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

Jun 2, 2025 6:40 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Funding for science is very much on the chopping block in President Trump's proposed budget. It's a fraught moment for NASA, particularly for those focused on earth science and not human space travel. Over the weekend, Trump announced he was withdrawing the nomination of his original pick to lead NASA, billionaire Jared Isaacman. Miles O'Brien reports.
Why public health groups are concerned about changes to COVID vaccine recommendations

1 month ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the CDC would drop the COVID vaccines from its list of recommended shots for pregnant women and children. That decision and other recent changes under Kennedy are leading to major worries and unease among medical and public health groups. Ali Rogin discussed more with Dr. Richard Besser.
NPR CEO discusses suing Trump administration over order targeting funding

1 month ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

May 27, 2025 6:40 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio NPR and three Colorado public radio stations filed suit against the Trump administration in federal court over his executive order targeting funding for NPR, PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The lawsuit contends Trump's order is a violation of the First Amendment. Geoff Bennett discussed more with NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher.
Kennedy’s ‘MAHA’ report targets vaccines, food supply and prescription drugs | PBS News

1 month ago | pbs.org | Ali Rogin |Jackson Hudgins |Azhar Merchant

President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released a report about the uptick in chronic childhood diseases and what they say are the underlying causes. The report from the "Make America Healthy Again" commission is in line with the ideas and beliefs that Kennedy has promoted. Ali Rogin discussed more with Lauren Weber of The Washington Post.
Breakthrough gene editing treatment helps child born with rare disorder

1 month ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Doctors announced this week that they have treated a newborn baby with a rare genetic disease using the world’s first personalized gene editing therapy. Geoff Bennett discussed the treatment and its potential with Dr. Peter Marks. He oversaw gene therapy treatment and vaccine safety and approval for the FDA before he left in March.
Baseball reinstates Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, making them Hall of Fame eligible

1 month ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

May 13, 2025 6:25 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio After previously being on the ineligible list, Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson are now eligible to be inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. The two immensely talented players were both tainted by scandal. Rose admitted to betting on games while Jackson and seven other teammates were banned for allegedly fixing the World Series in 1919. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Howard Bryant of ESPN.
What’s next for Trump’s trade war after pausing tariffs with China

1 month ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

May 12, 2025 6:53 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio As the U.S. and China announced a surprising pause on tariffs, we're taking a look at what's behind it and where things go in the weeks ahead. To discuss the trade negotiations, Geoff Bennett spoke with Derek Scissors of the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, who closely follows the Chinese economy and U.S.-China relations.
What’s behind the major delays and cancellations at Newark’s airport

1 month ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Newark Airport continues to be marred by cancelled flights and delays. The problems are front and center after a technical failure caused widespread disruption last week. Air traffic controllers who were in the thick of it have taken leave to recover from "traumatic stress," compounding a massive staffing shortage. Geoff Bennett discussed more with aviation correspondent Miles O'Brien.
Utility assistance frozen after Trump administration fires program’s staff

2 months ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

Apr 24, 2025 6:20 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Money for heating and cooling assistance for those in need is on the line. As part of the cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, the Trump administration reportedly fired the staff that runs the Low-Income Home Energy Program. Congress already approved funds for the program but with the staff gone, the allocated money is frozen. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Logan Atkinson Burke.
Economic forecasts show Trump’s tariffs having major global impact

2 months ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

Apr 22, 2025 6:55 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio President Trump’s trade wars are likely to slow down economic growth across the globe significantly this year, according to projections from the International Monetary Fund. And Treasury Secretary Bessent reportedly told investors that he believes the trade war with China is unsustainable and hopes tariffs on both sides could be eased. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Ron Insana.