The northeastern United States sweltered this week in a scorching summer heat wave, complete with stagnant, sticky air and no winds for relief, forecasters said. Even in a summer already filled with stretches of very hot weather, this week will be stubbornly brutal, with no relief in sight until the weekend brings thunderstorms to the region, they said. "Plain and simple, this week may feel the worst of any week for this summer in the Northeast," said Accuweather.com meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. (Reuters)

Residents observe a police officer take up position during an operation at the Mare slums complex in Rio de Janeiro March 25, 2014. The federal troops have taken control of security operations in Mare slums complex to help quell a surge in violent crime following attacks by drug traffickers on police posts in three slums on the north side of the city, government officials said. (Photo by Ricardo Moraes/Reuters)

A drunk racegoer lays on the ground as her friend tries to wake her up during the Emirates Melbourne Cup Day held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne Australia, on November 4, 2014. (Photo by Asanka Brendon/Rex Features)

A woman crosses an open sewer as she makes her way to her house in a Christian slum in Islamabad December 4, 2014. (Photo by Zohra Bensemra/Reuters)

In this Wednesday, August 20, 2014 photo released by Red Bull, Maikel Melero of Spain warms up prior to the fifth stage of the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour in the South African savanna of Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Joerg Mitter/AP Photo/Red Bull)

This picture taken on September 9, 2014 shows a waiteress handing over food to customers at a prison themed restaurant in Tianjin. As more themed restaurants are popular in China, a “prison style” restaurent in Tianjin is aimed at reminding people to observe the law and to be good citizens. (Photo by Wang Zhao/AFP Photo)

A resident looks at a parade marking the 496th anniversary of Panama City, Panama August 15, 2015. Modern-day Panama City includes the historical ruins of the original Panama Viejo settlement founded on August 15, 1519 by Spaniard Pedro Arias Davila, according to local media. (Photo by Carlos Jasso/Reuters)

Rob, a British man in his late 20's in Magaluf, Majorca on his stag party, kisses a participant in a wet t-shirt competition hosted at Mambo's Terrace on June 28, 2013. (Photo by Peter Dench/Getty Images Reportage)