The dead hostages had been abducted from a music festival on Oct. 7.

By Aaron Boxerman

7 Excuses People Gave to Avoid Jury Duty in Senator Menendez’s Bribery Trial

The would-be jurors disclosed challenges familiar to many families: child care, work obligations, long-planned vacations and scheduled surgeries. Other explanations were less conventional.

By Tracey Tully

7 New Movies Our Critics Are Talking About This Week

Whether you’re a casual moviegoer or an avid buff, our reviewers think these films are worth knowing about.

By The New York Times

Yahya Sinwar Helped Start the War in Gaza. Now He’s Key to Its Endgame.

Hamas’s leader in Gaza is considered an architect of the Oct. 7 attacks that prompted Israel to retaliate. As mediators seek a cease-fire, a deal depends on Mr. Sinwar as well as his Israeli foes.

By Patrick Kingsley, Julian E. Barnes and Adam Rasgon

Biden’s Approval Is Low, Except Compared With Everyone Else’s

Voters are grumpy all across the Western world.

By Paul Krugman

Storms Batter Houston, Leaving at Least 7 Dead

School officials canceled classes in the city on Friday, and hundreds of thousands were left without power. It may take as much as 48 hours to restore power to some customers.

By Orlando Mayorquín, Jesus Jiménez and Victoria Kim

Israelis Gather at Site of Oct. 7 Festival Attack to Mourn Loved Ones

People gathered on Israel’s national day of mourning to remember festivalgoers who were killed on Oct. 7 by the Hamas-led assault.

By Reuters and The Associated Press

摩登情爱：好莱坞名人病

这位经常被好莱坞巨星迷倒的娱乐记者，却在寻找真爱这件事上遇到了重重困难。

By Rodrigo Ribeiro