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)

“Photographer Seth Casteel has definitely taken animal photography to new heights – or depths – with his hilarious photos of dogs chasing balls underwater. Casteel, who, naturally, has two dogs of his own (a mini Labradoodle and a Norwich terrier), said that he's drawn to underwater dog photography because the photos show a side of dogs that people may have never seen before”.

Photo: Seth Casteel Underwater Dog Pictures (Photo by Seth Casteel)

Mike De Butts adds the finishing touches to a giant Baobab Tree sculpture entitled “Under the Baobab”, outside the Southbank Centre on May 24, 2012 in London, England. The Pirate Technics' installation is made from a selection of brightly coloured fabrics from around the world, and is part of the Southbank Centre's “Festival of the World” exhibition, which includes a series of large scale pieces of art that will be in place around the Southbank centre over the Summer. (Photo by Dan Kitwood)

Revellers head out in Leeds city centre, which has one of the country's highest infection rates on October 11, 2020. Cities in northern England and other areas suffering a surge in Covid-19 cases may have pubs and restaurants temporarily closed to combat the spread of the virus. (Photo by NB PRESS LTD/The Sun)

“Check out this praying mantis totally bossing a trek through the Borneo jungle – on the back of a snail. Yes, it may not be the fastest mode of transport for the discerning traveller, but at least the green chap isn't getting his feet wet. The slightly sinister sight was captured by snapper Nordin Seruyan in central Borneo”. – Sara C. Nelson via Barcroft Media. (Photo by Nordin Seruyan/Barcroft Media)

A 15-year-old girl denied a horse from her parents has turned to a cow to fulfil her riding dreams. Teenager Regina Mayer, from southern Germany, is able to ride her cow, Luna. She has even trained her bovine pet to soar over a beer-crate hurdle like a regular show jumper. Why, you may well ask, when most cow-owners are surely content to let the creatures chew and lactate and sit down to indicate the imminent arrival of rain? Well, Regina's parents wouldn't let her have a horse.