Celebrating the end of tyranny in the American colonies is certainly a reason for taking a few days off this July Fourth weekend. But even a lazy holiday of fireworks and hot-dog-eating contests can’t keep news from buzzing across the free world. Whether you were a head of state, a head of the household, or a head of wax, this weekend gave us all plenty to scratch our noggins about.

Summer staycations
For household decision makers, all feeling the pinch of higher gas prices, the resounding tune this weekend wasn’t “The Star Spangled Banner” but rather “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” The staycation has moved from newspaper lifestyle articles to real life and the Buzz, underlining the economic woes that keep families closer to home in their quest for summer fun.

Avoiding the Olympic affront
President Bush didn’t take much time off this weekend. The U.S. head of state traveled to Japan to attend the Group of Eight summit, where he did some work in the Buzz explaining why he has no plans to miss the commencement of the Olympic Games in Beijing. Despite pressure from the home front to avoid the opening ceremonies because of China’s human rights record, Bush said he’d rather not insult the Olympic hosts. “Not going to the opening ceremony,” said Bush, “would be an affront to the Chinese people.”

Tearing the head off history
Someone at the new Madame Tussauds wax museum in Germany decided to add injury to the insult of Adolf Hitler’s memory by ripping the head off the statue of the WWII dictator. The attack occurred on the opening day of the famed wax museum in Berlin, lending a bizarre aura to the already controversial display.

Also spiking in the Buzz…
• The celebrated Declaration of Independence says that “all men are created equal,” but sisterhood is an equal if not greater force in the Buzz this weekend. Kylie Minogue received an honor from the British crown, while her sister, Dannii, stirred up controversy in her reality TV gig.
• Meanwhile sisters Venus and Serena Williams played together, as well as against each other, to dominate the Wimbledon courts and headlines.