From Washington to Erfurt, public life this weekend was defined by a volatile mix of heat, politics and confrontation. In the United States, Independence Day celebrations marking the nation’s 250th anniversary went ahead under sweltering conditions, though Washington’s July 4 parade was canceled as heat warnings pushed forecasts into dangerous triple digits. Fireworks were still set to proceed, but the holiday unfolded amid tight security, expected protests and a backdrop of deep political division. In Germany, the far-right AfD re-elected its leadership at a tense national convention in Erfurt, even as thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets, blocked roads and clashed with police in scenes that underscored the country’s growing polarization ahead of key regional elections. Meanwhile in Britain, broadcaster accountability moved into the courts, with delivery giant Evri suing the BBC for libel over a Panorama investigation into its treatment of couriers.