Intensifying heat wave descends on eastern U.S.

After weeks of baking the South and Southwest, the intensifying heat wave has descended on the eastern United States. Some 180 million Americans – about half the U-S population – are under heat watches and warnings. The National Weather Service says temperatures and heat index values will be well above 100 degrees until at least Saturday. Officials in New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and other big cities urged people to avoid working or playing outside and to drink plenty of fluids.