An Ignoble Experiment: The 7: What the death of Hamas’s leader means; Trump’s below-the-belt jokes; a makeover at George Washington’s home; and more

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Good morning. It's Friday, Oct. 18, and these photos of microscopic scientific wonders are amazing — particularly the spooky crab spider eyes. Now let's get to the news.

The leader of Hamas was killed by Israeli troops in Gaza.

Who? Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel last year. He spent 22 years in Israeli jails, built a reputation as a brutal enforcer and became Hamas's leader in 2017.
What his death means: The U.S. hopes it will spur a cease-fire and hostage releases. But Hamas has not been destroyed and Israeli leaders say the war will continue.

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Kamala Harris said Donald Trump is "gaslighting" Americans about Jan. 6.

What to know: Harris blasted Trump yesterday for calling the 2021 Capitol attack "a day of love." Trump has recently been expressing more sympathy for the rioters.
In other campaign news: Trump delivered some below-the-belt jokes at a charity roast. And Barack Obama has become increasingly anxious about a potential Trump victory.
One more thing: Crypto cash is flooding the election. See who's benefiting here.

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The Secret Service needs a shake-up after the Trump rally shooting, a review said.

The details: An independent panel said the protective agency needs new leadership, or failures like July's assassination attempt in Pennsylvania "can and will happen again."
What happened that day? A 20-year-old gunman opened fire at Trump from a rooftop before being fatally shot by the Secret Service. This 3D model shows how it unfolded.

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The execution of an autistic man was temporarily halted in Texas.

The case: Robert Roberson, 57, was accused of killing his 2-year-old daughter by shaking her in 2002. His supporters say his conviction was based on junk science.
Yesterday: The Texas Supreme Court stayed Roberson's execution, nearly four hours after he was scheduled to die. It followed a last-ditch appeal from state lawmakers.

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California is facing dangerous autumn fire weather this week.

Why? After months of hot weather, the fire risk is ramping up because of fierce winds. Fire warnings stretch from Northern California into the Central Coast.
Across the U.S.: Winter may bring mixed weather. Colder conditions are likely in the North and drier weather is expected in the South. Find a full winter forecast here.

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It will soon be much easier to cancel subscriptions.

Why? A new federal rule will force businesses to make canceling take only as many steps as signing up does. Starting in April, it will apply to gyms, streaming services and more.
Other online news: Hackers struck the Internet Archive last week, leaking millions of users' data. The nonprofit took its popular Wayback Machine offline.

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George Washington's home is getting its first big rehab in more than 150 years.

Mount Vernon gets about 1 million visitors a year, and millions more check out the historic estate online. (Pete Kiehart for The Washington Post)

Why? Mount Vernon's foundations have come loose over time, so they need to be secured. On Nov. 1, the Virginia estate will close to visitors for several months.
It's a tricky operation: Basement pillars will be removed and some floors may need to be pulled up. The work could reveal more amazing artifacts, like these old cherry bottles.

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Before you go … need a break? How to plan the perfect last-minute fall getaway. Plus: Hotel prices are way up, but these tips can save you money.

One more good read: The U.S.-Mexico border, the wall and the thousands of acres between them.

Presidential polls: Who's ahead, and what has changed, in battleground states?

From The Post archive: Have you purchased your Halloween candy? If not, read this list of favorites, and consider the full-size candy bar.

And finally … end your week by playing On the Record, The Post's quotable quiz. The weekend version is 10 questions, and you can risk all your points on a final bonus question. Ready to play? Click here. Or try our word game, Keyword.

You're all caught up. See you Monday.