Best photographs of 2014 – in pictures Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email From the Ferguson riots to the school attack in Peshawar, a Missouri ‘firenado’ and hailstones in Siberia: the Guardian’s features picture editor Sarah Gilbert selects the most compelling images of 2014 Sarah Gilbert, Homa Khaleeli and Paula Cocozza Sun 28 Dec 2014 17.00 GMT Last modified on Thu 26 Mar 2020 14.

Prevent strategy This article is more than 11 months oldFormer counter-terror chief hits out at ‘insulting’ findings of Prevent reviewThis article is more than 11 months oldNeil Basu claims parts of government-backed review of scheme are driven by ‘rightwing viewpoint’ Britain’s former top counter-terrorism officer has said parts of the government-backed review of Prevent appear to be driven by a rightwing ideology and are “insulting” to professionals fighting to stop attacks on Britain’s streets.

Health & wellbeingBe positive, look on the bright side, stay focused on success: so goes our modern mantra. But perhaps the true path to contentment is to learn to be a loserIn an unremarkable business park outside the city of Ann Arbor, in Michigan, stands a poignant memorial to humanity’s shattered dreams. It doesn’t look like that from the outside, though. Even when you get inside – which members of the public rarely do – it takes a few moments for your eyes to adjust to what you’re seeing.

Maine shootingsIn the bitter and politically fraught gun ownership debate in the US, distinctions are often lost, leaving some frustrated The mass shooting deaths of 18 people in Lewiston, Maine, has again shone a spotlight on gun ownership and safeguards around mental health in a state that has prided itself both on high levels of gun ownership and low levels of violent crime. The suspect, an experienced marksman and US army reservist Robert Card, is believed to have used an AR-15 military style weapon with an expanded magazine, perhaps carrying 60 rounds, similar to the gun that was found later in his abandoned car.

Photograph: Romas Foord/The Observer Photograph: Romas Foord/The ObserverClassic cookbookVegetarian food and drinkDeborah Madison was a pioneer of meat-free menus. David Tanis recalls the pleasures of her San Francisco restaurant’s cookbook Deborah Madison is one of the most prolific food writers, beloved by vegetarians and omnivores alike for more than 30 years. We have known each other for at least that long, shared meals and worked together. I’m one of her most ardent fans.