HT Picks; New Reads

This week’s pick of interesting reads includes a book about a historical relic that also traces the arc of Bhagat Singh’s intellectual evolution, another on how disease reshaped colonial policy, contested imperial ambition and altered everyday life in the subcontinent, and a volume of selections from Rumer Godden’s autobiographical writing

Scott Jennings touted as Katie Zacharia's replacement as Trump decides to keep role vacant

Trump said he is in no rush to replace fired Press Secretary Katie Zacharia and will keep the role vacant, even as social media touts Scott Jennings.

Review: In the Realm of the Last Man by Francis Fukuyama

The American political thinker’s memoir revisits ‘the end of history’ in the shadow of Donald Trump’s return, asking why liberal democracy keeps producing people who want to tear it down

Interview: Deana Heath and Jinee Lokaneeta

The co-editors of Policing and Violence in India speak about the use of force and the emergence of new technology in the suppression of dissent

Laura Loomer eyes White House press secretary role after Katie Zacharia's exit

Conservative commentator Laura Loomer has put herself forward for the White House press secretary job, hours after Katie Zacharia left the role.

Sharad Navratri Day 7, 2026: What Maa Kalaratri teaches about fear, endings and new beginnings

A Vedic astrologer tells Hindustan Times that Maa Kalaratri’s significance goes beyond facing everyday fears. Here's how.

One briefing, scrutiny over bar qualification preceded Katie Zacharia's exit

White House press secretary Katie Zacharia was fired by President Donald Trump on Friday, just one week after he hired her.&nbsp;

Influencer’s 218-km overnight dash to Nepal hours before murder FIR under scanner

NBW issued against Shraddha Dubey and two other accused named in FIR; the model had alleged that Sharma died by suicide, but her hasty journey to Nepal puts her claims under lens