Gurgaon woman busts myth of ‘lavish corporate life’, says salary disappears after paydayA Gurgaon woman shared how bills and daily expenses left her with little of her salary soon after payday. Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 14:24:23 IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy
Who is Hannah Israel? Heartbroken owner speaks out after beloved donkey HeeHaw is killed by cop: ‘He was my son!’Hannah Israel, the owner of a donkey, HeeHaw, was left heartbroken after a Cedartown police officer allegedly shot the animal dead in Polk County. Published on: Sep 1, 2026
India is preparing a framework that would let AI agents make small digital payments without approval for every transaction, three sources familiar with the matter said, potentially making UPI one of the world's largest networks with agentic payments
Founder who survived on bread, water at 18 thinks everyone should go ‘completely broke’ onceA Mumbai-based founder claimed that surviving on bread and water at 18 removed his fear of startup failure and financial losses. Updated on: Sep 1, 2026
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 22 states sued Amazon on Monday for allegedly "manipulating" online auctions for digital advertising, resulting in more than $20 billion in overcharges for 1.2 million customers. Amazon "has secretly and systematically overcharged its approximately 1
‘Prove my role, I’ll retire’: Karanataka minister Priyank Kharge challenges HD Kumaraswamy over KPSC rowKarnataka minister Priyank Kharge claimed Kumaraswamy was asked by the RSS or Amit Shah to target him. Updated on: Sep 1, 2026, 14:28:17 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link
Always looking for a sweet treat after dinner? Fitness coach Eric Roberts shares 3 reasons for late-night sugar cravings Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 14:09:20 IST By Eshana Saha Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Read more to find out why your sugar cravings intensify at the end of the day!
3-year-old kidnapped from Delhi found 1,000 km away in Bihar; accused woman had 6 daughters, wanted a sonThe child went missing while he was playing near his mother, who had gone to the hospital to collect medicines, police said. Updated on: Sep 1, 2026
As heatwaves strike
Steven Scholtysek, 36, is no stranger to Europe's heatwaves. The German engineer has lived through sweltering summers since his childhood.
But this year the heat has been especially unbearable. Western Europe has experienced its hottest June on record, and cities across Germany saw temperatures rise above 40C (104F). The region is bracing for more heatwaves before the summer ends.
To make things worse, a few months ago Scholtysek moved into an attic apartment - the kind that's notorious for overheating.
"It's not possible to live a normal life in those flats, below the roof, in summer heat," says Scholtysek, who lives in the town of Hamelin, north-central Germany.
He soon stumbled upon the PortaSplit, a portable split air-conditioner made by Chinese home appliance giant Midea, designed to meet European regulations - an appliance that has become one of the most sought-after products in the region this summer.
"It was a game changer," he says.
His experience is one that is becoming increasingly common across Europe - a region with typically low air-conditioning ownership rates, as heatwaves grow more intense.
A previously little-known brand in Europe, Midea has become a household name this summer because of the PortaSplit.
Units have sold out in stores over the past few weeks, and models have even popped up on resale sites, where they are marked up to double or even triple its original retail price of around €750 (£639; $856).
There's even a site dedicated to tracking the availability of these units, called MideaFinder.
Much of the craze has centered around the models' ability to sidestep structural constraints, including strict historic-preservation rules in many European cities that restrict exterior-wall modifications such as drilling for external AC units.
The PortaSplit, which comes with a lightweight outdoor unit that users can perch outside their windows themselves, advertises itself as "perfectly compatible with most European window types".
"Midea solved this problem in quite an interesting way," Denis Yurchak, a Vienna resident, tells the BBC.
Yurchak first came across the PortaSplit a few weeks ago, while researching air-conditioners to tide him through the heatwave.
From glowing online reviews to forums dedicated to exchanging tips about air-conditioners, the 27-year-old quickly realised there was "a kind of cult about Midea".
And since raving about his PortaSplit on X, he has also been co-opted into the community - he says he has been receiving curious messages about the air-conditioner every day.
During the worst of the heatwave, Yurchak said he "basically had it on 24/7".
In countries like France, Spain, Germany and the UK, Midea sales surged more than 70% year-on-year, the company told Chinese state media the Global Times - though its Europe office has declined to confirm these figures to the BBC.
And they're not alone.
Chinese company TCL Technology told the Global Times that its air-conditioner sales have jumped more than 300% in France alone.
Chinese manufacturer Gree, one of the world's biggest air-conditioner makers, told the BBC that their air-conditioners had seen "noticeably stronger demand this summer".
Many of our customers are first-time buyers," Gree said in a statement. "The increasingly frequent and prolonged summer heatwaves have clearly changed consumer attitudes.
But the use of air-conditioners isn't without its drawbacks.
Air conditioning accounts for 7% of the world's electricity use, and releases 2.7% of the world's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuels and industry, according to one 2024 report.
Environmental advocates and politicians across Europe have long opposed air-conditioners for their consumption of electricity. Some argue that the air-conditioners, which expel hot air outside, could exacerbate outdoor temperatures in densely populated areas.
Some residents simply see air-conditioners as a wasteful purchase for what is usually a week or two of uncomfortable heat - though for others, it is a necessary purchase.
In late June, hundreds of schools were forced to close as France recorded its hottest day on record. France's power utility announced days later that it would commit €80m (£68m; $91m) to installing cooling systems - including fans and air-conditioners - in schools and community leisure centres.
The World Health Organization's Europe office has recommended a "nuanced approach towards the use of AC", saying that while it is not a sustainable solution to dealing with extreme heat, it "remains crucial to protect populations at increased risk from high temperatures".
All of this has been hailed by Chinese media as a win for Made in China goods - a label that is commonly associated with more low-quality, often cheaply made products.
"The fact that Chinese air conditioners have become a necessity for Europeans is not merely a trade phenomenon, but a microcosm of 'Chinese-style empowerment'," reads a commentary by state media outlet People's Daily.
In fact, European PortaSplit owners tell the BBC that they were surprised to find out it comes from a Chinese brand.
The marketing and design, it was not typical to what I was used to of older Chinese products. It was more modern," says Scholtysek in Germany. "Also, when I got it, the quality was comparable to what I was used to from Europe or somewhere else.
Launched in Germany in 2024, the PortaSplit is advertised on its website as a combination of "German engineering" from Midea's research centre in Stuttgart with "Italian design".
This is part of a "general shift" in the image of Chinese tech products, Scholtysek says, from drone maker DJI to electric vehicle brands.
And after buying the PortaSplit, Scholtysek even decided to buy shares of Midea stock - a sign of his confidence in the company's prospects.
This confidence is also shared by those at Midea. Ralph Kobsik, the general manager of Midea's Europe operation, told the BBC in a statement that they "see considerable long-term growth potential in Europe".
He added that the company would "continuously invest in technologies that meet the specific requirements of European consumers".
One of those satisfied consumers is Adrien Olar in France, who recently bought his first air-conditioner: a Midea PortaSplit.
"This is maybe my first Chinese product," the 26-year-old says, describing it as a "revolution". For days before his PortaSplit arrived, he had resorted to squirting water on his face to keep cool at home.
But those days are behind Olar now: "It's like going into a fridge when I go into my room. It's a very, very good difference."
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Barack, Michelle Obama spotted on Steven Spielberg’s $250M superyacht in Italy Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and YUNGBLUD pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne at VMAs Who is Wade Wilson's biological father Steven Testasecca and where is he now Dalai Lama, Steven Spielberg & K-pop history define music’s biggest night Varun Dhawan says he wanted a Hollywood debut with Steven Spielberg Purbayan Chatterjee And Steven Wilson Create A Historic ‘Raga Meets Prog Rock’ Moment In Mumbai How Heatwaves Affect Your Eyes Why the British seem to find heatwaves more unbearable than people in India or Spain Travelling During A Summer Heatwaves Heatwaves May Be Silently Affecting Your Hormones
63-year-old grandmother shares 1 exercise senior citizens must do to stay independent as they age: 'Knee pain is tricky' Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 14:05:05 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Think you should skip squats due to knee pain? This 63-year-old fitness coach says
5 hours ago
India’s economy grew 7.8% year-on-year in the April-June quarter of FY27, significantly stronger than the market expectation of around 7.1% and above the Reserve Bank of India’s 7% projection. The latest number is particularly important because it came at a time when the global economy was
5 hours ago
Like many Gen Zs in Kozhikode, Athira K.B. enjoys eating out and spends much of her free time watching short food videos on Instagram. “If a restaurant regularly pops up on my feed, I instantly feel like checking out what makes it so special,” the 22-year-old college student says
5 hours ago
As Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Mohan Bhagwat took the stage at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday to deliver a message of “universal oneness”, a group of nearly 90 American politicians was preparing a different memo: they would not accept political contributions from entities
5 hours ago
A five-member bench of the National Company Law Tribunal on Tuesday stayed the approval of a repayment plan under which media baron Subhash Chandra was allowed to pay Rs 6.2 crore to creditors against admitted claims of about Rs 22,006 crore in his personal insolvency resolution process
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump’s tenure has vindicated many in the Indian foreign policy establishment prone to reflexive anti-Americanism. However, the recent history of intensified engagement between India and the US, the ongoing bureaucratic collaboration
8 hours ago
Sensex, Nifty open flat amid renewed crude oil price rally, global tensionsThe 30-share BSE Sensex declined 307.24 points, or 0.40 per cent, to close at 76,957.27 with 20 of its constituents ending lower and 10 with gains on Monday Updated on: Sep 1, 2026
8 hours ago
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Monday (August 31, 2026) to hit Iran “hard” after the two foes traded fire for the first time in weeks, as his Treasury secretary vowed to keep up a pressure campaign aimed at hobbling Tehran’s economy. After six months of war
8 hours ago
Step inside Mouni Roy’s beautiful 4 BHK apartment in Mumbai featuring minimal décor and a cosy library Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 11:30:03 IST By Anukriti Srivastava Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Mouni Roy gave a house tour of her Mumbai 4 BHK apartment
8 hours ago
OpenAI denied Apple's allegations of trade secret theft on Monday, saying the iPhone maker failed to show any confidential information was stolen by former employees."This dispute is a mess of Apple's own making, and it is trying to blame everyone else
8 hours ago
The toll in the flash flood and mudslide in Nepal and China, which occurred on August 26, rose to 1,003 on Tuesday. Of these, 987 deaths were reported in Nepal. The remaining 16 deaths were on the Chinese side of the border, AFP reported. More than 3
8 hours ago
September 1, 2026, Birthday Horoscope: Don't let fear overpower you from experiencing something genuine todayYour birthday falls on September 1, 2026 here’s what your year ahead looks like, as per Tarot. Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 11:01:25 IST By Kishori Sud Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link
8 hours ago
Toxic worldwide box office collection day 6: Yash film crashes, crawls past ₹300 crore; yet to surpass Adipurush, PeddiToxic worldwide box office collection day 6: Yash's pan-India film is now earning less than ₹10 crore per day worldwide after bad word-of-mouth. Updated on: Sep 1, 2026
8 hours ago
Naseeruddin Shah wishes 'more strength' to student protestorsFrom backing student protests to praising theatre behind bars, Naseeruddin Shah speaks up on protest, performance and the power of truth Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 11:33:59 IST By Aadrika Sominder Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link
8 hours ago
The families of more than 600 workers believed to be trapped in a vast network of mud-filled tunnels along Nepal's Trishuli River are clinging to hope their loved ones can be found alive. Rescuers continued battling to reach them on Monday, using explosives to blast into the hillside before pumping
8 hours ago
Maharashtra, Assam, Bengal, Bihar join Centre in SC bid to quash FIRs against CJP protestersThe move came a day after the Centre moved the court seeking quashing of FIRs registered in connection with the CJP-led protests Updated on: Sep 1, 2026
8 hours ago
European traveller says he was scared to visit India due to 'bad image, stereotypes': 'I found more kindness than chaos' Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 10:51:25 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Expecting chaos, he found kindness: Robert says India changed how he judges places
8 hours ago
Over 200 Zomato employees in 'customer delight' section in Hyderabad to be laid offEmployees impacted by the layoffs will also be helped in their search for relevant opportunities. Published on: Sep 1, 2026, 09:36:24 IST By HT Business Desk Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Zomato is expected
8 hours ago
Refrain from sharing the Universal Account Number (UAN), password, One-Time Password (OTP), and Aadhaar details. New Delhi: EPFO has issued a cyber awareness advisory to stay alert against frauds. Cases of fraud are becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly through digital modes
8 hours ago
Meta is fixing a loophole that allowed wearers of its AI smart glasses to secretly record others without consent. Meta’s new AI smart glasses feature a white light sensor that starts blinking when the wearer is taking a photo or video through their device
8 hours ago
‘Bengaluru Metro discipline deserves appreciation’: Woman praises commuters for orderly queues, offering seatsA woman lauded Bengaluru Metro commuters for disciplined boarding, respectful behaviour and offering seats to women. Published on: Sep 1, 2026
8 hours ago
Manchester City have opened talks with Chelsea in their bid to sign midfielder Enzo Fernandez. In what is set to be one of the key narratives on transfer deadline day, City have set the wheels in motion towards what would be one of the most expensive deals of the summer
8 hours ago
PM Modi hails ‘herculean feat’, Congress asks ‘where are jobs?’: GDP figures draw mixed responseTaking a jab at his critics, Modi said some people in India, “drowned in an atmosphere of despair”, were spreading “lies” across the country. Published on: Sep 1, 2026
8 hours ago
The company said the move is aimed at strengthening transparency and food quality for consumers, and warned that restaurants failing to comply with its requirements could be removed from the platform. New Delhi: Food delivery platform Zomato on Monday said it has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on
8 hours ago
As Janmashtami approaches, homes begin to take on a festive glow. Laddu Gopal gets a new outfit, the little cradle is beautifully decorated, flowers are brought in and preparations begin for the midnight celebration. Amid all these preparations
8 hours ago
The company said Shipsy Brain draws on data linked to more than five billion shipments. This includes more than 50 billion operational events, 1.5 billion automated and human decisions, 100 billion GPS pings and over 5,000 logistics workflows. Enterprise firm on September 1 launched in beta
8 hours ago
A Singaporean diplomat who led the adoption of the UN Ocean Treaty, a Myanmar activist who put his freedom on the line for democracy, and a former Bangladeshi teacher who brought compassion to the poor were named on Monday as the winners of this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Awards
8 hours ago
