BBC Future

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has said a move to rejoin the European Union is among the options for the UK's future relationship with Europe. Speaking to the BBC, he argued the current Brexit settlement had caused "more harm than good" and called for closer ties. His comments are likely to reignite debate within Labour over Europe and whether the party should risk reopening the Brexit question.

A BBC Future article is drawing attention to homeowners swapping gas generators for personal house batteries as backup power during storms. One household profiled said they did not mind the cold, but just wanted morning coffee and the news back on. Commenters contrast the old, fuel-dependent generator technology with newer direct-current battery systems, and at least one reader is being identified as coming from the Fark community.

Fernando Alonso has explained his reasons for continuing his Formula 1 career, telling BBC Sport that he still feels as fast as anybody on the grid. The Spanish veteran's comments come as fans and pundits debate how long he can keep racing at the top level and what his future in the sport might look like.