Azhar Merchant

Associate Producer for National Affairs at PBS

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

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Articles

Alex Ovechkin breaks Gretzky’s record to become NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer

2 weeks ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

Apr 7, 2025 6:25 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio In a historic moment for hockey, Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin surpassed Wayne Gretzky's record for most goals scored in a career. Amna Nawaz discussed Ovechkin and his record-breaking achievement with Joe Beninanti, play-by-play announcer for the Capitals on the Monumental Sports Network.
Trade war, tariffs and uncertainty drag markets to worst week in years

2 weeks ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

Apr 4, 2025 6:55 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Stocks were in free fall again Friday, ending the markets' worst week in years as a trade war heated up. China responded to President Trump’s tariffs with their own, 34 percent on all imported U.S. goods. Markets also fell after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said tariffs are expected to lead to higher prices and weaken the economy. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Justin Wolfers.
The security vulnerabilities of using Signal to discuss military operations

3 weeks ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio The news of Trump officials using Signal for a group chat on military operations has raised many questions about just how secure such messaging apps are and the risks if government officials use them on their personal devices. Lisa Desjardins reports.
CDC the latest federal agency to face leadership shakeup and cuts

4 weeks ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

Mar 26, 2025 6:30 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio President Trump has put into place a very different team than his predecessors when it comes to public health and research. The CDC is very much in the thick of it. Five senior leaders at the CDC have announced their departures and staff are anticipating cuts that could affect as much as a third of its workforce. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Lena Sun of The Washington Post.
What happens to DNA data of millions as 23andMe files bankruptcy?

1 month ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

Mar 25, 2025 6:30 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio The bankruptcy of 23andMe is raising concerns about the future of its DNA information. Once a pioneer in the genetic testing industry, the company faced backlash after hackers leaked user data in 2023. Now, millions could see their genetic data dealt in a potential sale. Geoff Bennett discusses the implications with Ginny Fahs of Consumer Reports.
Canada and EU announce retaliatory tariffs, escalating Trump’s trade war | PBS News

1 month ago | pbs.org | Stephanie Sy |Jonah Anderson |Azhar Merchant

The trade war between the U.S. and dozens of countries escalated yet again Wednesday. Canada and the European Union announced their own tariffs designed to inflict economic pain and pressure on America. But President Trump said he would not be deterred from his campaign. Stephanie Sy reports.
Businesses hit by new tariffs U.S. slaps on Mexico, Canada and China | PBS News

1 month ago | pbs.org | Geoff Bennett |Ryan Holmes |Azhar Merchant

The White House is implementing two new policies with global consequences ahead of President's Trump's address to Congress. The Trump administration is halting military aid to Ukraine and it's imposing new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China. Roben Farzad, economic analyst and host of public radio's "Full Disclosure," joins Geoff Bennett for perspective.
Remembering the life and legendary career of actor Gene Hackman

1 month ago | artscanvas.org | John Yang |Azhar Merchant

Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. Geoff Bennett: And famed actor Gene Hackman has died. Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, yesterday. Authorities are still investigating the cause, but a search warrant affidavit described their deaths as suspicious. Police say both had been dead for some time before their bodies were found, along with one of their dogs.
Remembering the life and legendary career of actor Gene Hackman

1 month ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman is dead at the age of 95. Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on Wednesday. Authorities are still investigating the cause, but a search warrant affidavit described their deaths as "suspicious." As John Yang reports, Hackman was one of the great actors of his generation.
Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore on their longer than expected stay in space

1 month ago | pbs.org | Azhar Merchant

Feb 25, 2025 6:20 PM EST Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio For NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, the long wait to return to Earth is almost over. They went to the International Space Station last June in a Boeing Starliner spacecraft. They were supposed to return a week later, but because of problems with the Starliner, they’ve stayed at the station for over 250 days. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Williams, Wilmore and crewmate Nick Hague.