Ryan Randall plays the bagpipes outside a polling station in Edinburgh, Scotland September 18, 2014. Polling in the referendum on Scottish independence began on Thursday morning, as Scotland votes whether or not to end the 307-year-old union with the rest of the United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Hackett/Reuters)

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)

This August 28, 2017 photo shows eight-year-old Indian girl Bharti performing a balancing act on a rope during a street show in Batala, India. Travelling Indian performers, who earn a meagre income from putting on shows on the streets, often scout areas to gather a large street audience who then give money on a collection plate at the end of the show. (Photo by Narinder Nanu/AFP Photo)

People clash with Venezuelan National Guards as they try to cross the border to Colombia over the Francisco de Paula Santander international bridge in Urena, Venezuela December 18, 2016. (Photo by Carlos Eduardo Ramirez/Reuters)

Manuela (L) and Marta, members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), pose for a picture at a camp in the Colombian mountains on February 18, 2016. Many of these women are willing to be reunited with the children they gave birth and then left under protection of relatives or farmers, whenever the peace agreement will put an end to the country's internal conflict. (Photo by Luis Acosta/AFP Photo)

Japanese sumo wrestler Kisenosato (C) holds a red sea bream next to his stablemaster Tagonoura's wife Kotomi as he celebtares after receiving messengers from the Japan Sumo Association bringing official notice of his promotion to Yokozuna, or grand champion, during a ceremony in Tokyo, Japan, January 25, 2017. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Reuters)

A devotee dressed as Hindu Lord Shiva waits to participate in a parade during “Kumbh Mela” or the Pitcher Festival in Trimbakeshwar, India, August 18, 2015. The Kumbh Mela takes place four times every 12 years at four different river bank locations in India. (Photo by Danish Siddiqui/Reuters)

Participants from Newar community in traditional attire, dance during the Newari New Year parade that falls during the Tihar festival, also called Diwali, in Kathmandu, Nepal October 31, 2016. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)