In Today's Times:
- Though revelations of the National Security Agency's high-tech spying efforts have captured much attention, the United States Postal Service has been conducting its own surveillance, photographing the exterior of every piece of paper mail that comes through its system, Ron Nixon reports.
- Serving as American ambassador in Cairo, Anne W. Patterson has suddenly become a symbol of America's meddling in Egyptian affairs and must find a way to work with the ousted President Mohamed Morsi's angry supporters and opponents, Mark Landler reports.
- A significant number of Representative Blake Farenthold's constituents are Hispanic. But Mr. Farenthold, a Texas Republican, is frank about his opposition to the Senate's immigration bill, unwilling to support a path to full citizenship for unauthorized immigrants and illustrating the challenge advocates of reform face as they press for passage in the House, Ashley Parker reports.
Washington Happenings:
- President Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, will host members of the armed forces and their families at the White House on Thursday for an Independence Day celebration.
- Washington will mark the Fourth of July with events including a reading of the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives at 10 a.m.; a parade on Constitution Avenue NW at 11:45 a.m.; the Public Broadcasting Service's “Capitol Fourth†concert featuring Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond and others at 8 p.m.; and the National Park Service's fireworks display on the National Mall at 9:10 p.m.
