Iraqi troops fire artillery towards Islamic State (IS) group jihadists' positions in west Mosul on March 11, 2017 during the ongoing battle to retake the city from the group. (Photo by Aris Messinis/AFP Photo)

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)

Swedish brown bears “Fred” and “Frode” play in the snow on January 30, 2014 at the Natur- und Umweltpark (NUP) animal park in Guestrow, northeastern Germany. Despite of icy temperatures, the bear brothers took a break from their winter rest. (Photo by Bernd Wuestneck/AFP Photo/DPA)

Party-goers partake in a festival better known as Holi One, during International Workers Day in Johannesburg, South Africa, 01 May 2015. The colour festival promotes togetherness as well as colourness in everday life. May Day is observed worldwide every year on 01 May. (Photo by Kevin Sutherland/EPA)

An Iraqi special forces soldier wears a rose in his body armor as troops move from the Yarmouk neighborhood to take another district from Islamic State militant control in Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. (Photo by Maya Alleruzzo/AP Photo)

A couple takes a selfie as Hoa Binh hydroelectric power plant opens the flood gates after a heavy rainfall caused by Talas typhoon in Hoa Binh province, outside Hanoi, Vietnam July 20, 2017. (Photo by Reuters/Kham)

A team of female swimmers wearing facekini pose on beach by the sea on August 18, 2020 in Qingdao, Shandong Province of China. (Photo by Qian Han/VCG via Getty Images)

People pose near a new Banksy artwork in Rothesay Avenue, Nottingham, Britain on October 17, 2020. (Photo by Carl Recine/Reuters)