WORLD WORLDWIDE EUROPE Eu - euboserver - The Friday Five - Friday 14 August 2026.

 

The Friday Five Editor-in-chief picks her favourite stories of the week. EU risks winter gas-price spiral, as stocks run low A leading British forecaster said it will revise up its European gas price forecast next month, to an average of close to €60 per megawatt hour this winter, up from €45. Operation Matryoshka: Russia using ‘BBC news’ fakes to pervert key German vote With fake videos posing as BBC, ARD, or major German newspapers flooding X, TikTok, and Bluesky, millions of German voters risk making decisions in September based on AI-generated lies targeting Kremlin-critical candidates. Rwanda revealed as EU’s first migrant return hub, but what’s in it for Kigali? Rwanda is seeking to host EU migrants, in return for a free pass on its abuses in DR Congo and at home. But the idea is “all show and no substance”, say critics, who believe the scheme is doomed to fail. Meta and Ray-Ban’s ‘pervert glasses’ prompt criminal complaint in Germany Meta’s Ray-Bans can film you whether you’re aware of it or not. Rights groups have argued this poses a threat of non-consensual sexualisation, and are taking legal action to ensure regulation catches up to tech. A Golden Age in central and eastern Europe, which became one of the best places in the world to live (Edward Lucas) Some of the world’s best places to live are, apparently, now in central and eastern Europe.   Copyright © 2026 EUobserver.com. All rights reserved.