Politics Surgical stitch-up: meet the placebo surgeon Could the placebo effect work in surgery? When a doctor wanted to investigate – by opening patients up but not operating – some said it was… By Xan Rice
The greatest and the least loved: Chris Froome’s extraordinary resilience Why is the cycling champion of his generation so underappreciated? By Xan Rice
How the Oval regained its shape: the famous cricket ground hosts its 100th Test The challenge for Surrey is to ensure that the new fans drawn to the stadium in recent years keep… By Xan Rice
The most powerful woman in Brussels: who is Margrethe Vestager? The European commissioner for competition is taming the tech giants. By Xan Rice
Why the All Blacks are so great What makes New Zealand's national rugby team the most dominant side in the history of sport? By Xan Rice
View from Barnsley Central: on the trail with Labour’s former future leader What does Dan Jarvis, a former paratrooper, want – personally and professionally? By Xan Rice
The old man and the mountain The 85-year-old Nepalese adventurer who died on Everest earlier this month climbed because he had "to do something, and this is what… By Xan Rice
The friendly hitman: how boxing gave Anthony Joshua a second chance At 19, he was fitted with an electronic tag. At 27, he is the world’s top heavyweight boxer. By Xan Rice
This 85-year-old wants to climb Everest (again). Is it time to rethink old age? Consider this. In 1914, the chance of a child living to 100 was 1 per cent. My son has… By Xan Rice