Summertime and the living is dangerous, according to officials who are warning New Yorkers that the hot and humid summer weather can cause serious illness and death.

On average, more Americans die from heat waves than all other natural disasters combined. The best way to prevent heat illness is to stay in an air conditioned place. Make sure you are prepared and help family, friends, and neighbors stay cool during a heat wave.

What is Heat Illness?

Heat illness occurs when the body cannot cool down.
The body normally cools itself by sweating and increasing blood flow to the skin.

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the New York City area beginning at 12:00P Noon on Wednesday until at least 8:00P Thursday.

Additionally, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Wednesday.

JULIAN ASSANGE SEEKS ASYLUM. Ecuador Embassy in London.
The controversial founder of Wilkileaks is reportedly seeking political asylum inside the South American country's diplomatic mission.

JERRY SANDUSKY MAY TESTIFY. Ending Emotional Abuse Trial.
This may be the last day of testimony in the Penn State abuse trial, but no one actually knows if the accuser and former assistant football coach will testify.

CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION. US Justice Department.

The suffering of the Syrian people is getting worse amid escalating violence in the country, the head of the United Nations mission there said today, just days after his observers came under direct attack resulting in the suspension of their monitoring activities.

“I made that decision based on the risks on the ground and based on the fact that risks made it extremely difficult to implement mandated tasks,” the head of the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) and Chief Military Observer, Major-General Robert Mood, told reporters after a closed-door meeting with the Security Council.