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IsraelIsraeli minister says only ceasefire can free hostages, as cabinet rift deepensGadi Eisenkot launches blistering attack on Netanyahu’s campaign, saying ‘total victory’ over Hamas is unlikely Middle East crisis – live updates A senior minister in the Israeli war cabinet has said that only a ceasefire deal can win the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas inGaza, and that Israel is unlikely to achieve its aim of “total victory” over the militant Islamist group.

Ryder CupThe wife of the US Ryder Cup captain has firm views on the importance of her roleThe Captainess has landed. In an event where spouses have long played a prominent role Lisa Pavin, wife of the USA captain, has surpassed herself and those who have gone before her. "I don't deserve this much attention," said the 36-year-old, who was by her husband's side today as the team landed at Cardiff airport.

10 of the bestMusicIn the last of this series, we look back at Soft Cell’s bleak but beautiful synthpop – from their run of Top 3 hits to their disintegration amid drug use and nervous breakdown 1. MemorabiliaLikeminded art student renegades at Leeds Polytechnic in the late 70s, Dave Ball and Marc Almond originally came together to make music to accompany theatrical productions – an evolution of Almond’s developing interest in often extreme, sexual, graphic and confrontational performance art.

ObituaryHoyt AxtonSinger-songwriter who spanned folk, country and rock musicThe work of American songwriter, singer and actor Hoyt Axton, who has died following a series of heart attacks aged 61, spanned folk, country and rock music. His songs included the Kingston Trio hit Greenback Dollar, Three Dog Night's Joy to the World and Steppenwolf's The Pusher. Axton was born in Oklahoma to two schoolteachers. His mother, Mae, became well known as a country music songwriter - her biggest break coming as co-composer with Tommy Durden of Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel.

The Battle of Orgreave (2001) reenactment of the miners’ strike, by Jeremy Deller. Photograph: Martin Jenkinson/mjenkinson@pressphotos.co.ukView image in fullscreenThe Battle of Orgreave (2001) reenactment of the miners’ strike, by Jeremy Deller. Photograph: Martin Jenkinson/mjenkinson@pressphotos.co.ukThe ObserverJeremy DellerIn extracts from his new book, the Turner prize-winning artist reflects on three of his best known works: a re-enactment of the miners’ 1984 clash with riot police, an inflatable Stonehenge and a burning sculpture of the Murdochs

Reinterpreting the nude: the photography of Mona Kuhn Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email In a career spanning more than 20 years, Mona Kuhn has reimagined the nude in contemporary art, most often through the female form. Her new book, Mona Kuhn: Works, published by Thames & Hudson, illustrates her distinct approach to documenting the body Main image: AD6046, 2014, one of Mona Kuhn’s photographs as featured in Works (Thames & Hudson, £40).

Washington DCSecret Service investigating vehicle crash into gate of White House complexA driver was taken into custody as ‘cause and manner’ of the Monday evening collision was being looked into A vehicle crashed into an exterior gate of the White House complex in Washington on Monday evening, the US Secret Service said. The Secret Service chief of communications, Anthony Guglielmi, said a driver was taken into custody as “the cause and manner” of the 6pm ET incident was being investigated.

Short storiesReviewThe earthy resilience and joie de vivre of these stories about being a young woman today make for an exhilarating debut “I don’t know if I was enjoying myself or just in a continual state of curiosity,” says Meg in Snakebite, one of 10 short stories in 25-year-old British author Saba Sams’s exceptional debut collection. Sams joins the ranks of writers such as Megan Nolan and Frances Leviston with these acute portraits of the fragile intimacies and euphoric moments snatched by a generation of women coming of age into a precarious future.

Bald men hold annual competition to celebrate baldness GuardianJapan This article is more than 6 years oldShiny headed people, laughing: how balding Japanese make light of their lossThis article is more than 6 years oldAn annual get-together tries to ‘view baldness in a positive manner’ and also involves a game of tug of war using suction cups It’s not normally a club that you want to join, but a few dozen Japanese men are prepared to make a go of it and celebrate their baldness in the Tsuruta City Bald Men’s Club.