text: BNSF STARTS RAIL EMBARGO IN CALIFORNIA: Rail company Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) is set to begin limiting shipments of food, diesel, and other commodities to California through the end of July. Citing labor shortages and severe weather, the company says the embargo is necessary to relieve congestion of eastbound traffic along its Southern Transcon Corridor, which runs from Chicago to Southern California. Limited exceptions for materials related to public welfare, military equipment, and water treatment supplies will come into effect after 06 July. (AC: The BNSF embargo adds to 164 other regional rail embargos active in the United States, more than 135 of which are for the prevention or reduction of rail line congestion. This congestion has increased car volumes and train lengths on tracks across the nation, creating a feedback loop with deleterious effects. Congestion-related embargos are expected to continue straining supply lines, supporting higher prices across virtually all sectors of the economic spectrum. – R.P.)IMMIGRATION’S ‘UVALDE MOMENT’: Senators taking part in the Madrid NATO Summit are taking on immigration reform. Sen. Durbin (D-IL) said, “I think what happened at the border with finding 51 dead migrants in that tractor trailer is what I would call a ‘Uvalde moment.’” He said negotiations with Sen. Tillis (R-NC) are ongoing, but Congress feels compelled to act in the wake of the latest migrant deaths. (AC: The Senate proved it can pass legislation on controversial issues like gun control. Durbin’s comments indicate the Republican negotiators are willing to sign onto legislation that “fixes” the latest problem. At a minimum, another Democratic legislative victory will improve their midterm chances as immigration is in the top four concerns for voters. A “tough” immigration bill from Democrats is likely to alienate their own base, while it could court moderates or even some Republican voters faced with an unpalatable option in November. – D.M.)FCC RECOMMENDS BANNING TIKTOK: Federal Communications Committee Chair Brendan Carr wrote a letter to Apple and Google executives detailing why they should revoke TikTok’s access to U.S. customers. Carr cites national security risks from TikTok sending all user data to China for analysis and exploitation. – R.P.GEOSTRATEGIC INTSUMRIMPAC EXERCISE BEGINS AMID RISING TENSIONS WITH CHINA: The U.S.-led RIMPAC 2022 multinational military exercise began yesterday across the Pacific. The biennial exercise includes 26 nations and will showcase the latest in technology and advanced weapons systems, including unmanned naval surface vessels. The exercise, aimed at improving integration and coordination among Indo-Pacific allies, is widely viewed as a defense against Chinese expansion. Washington initially invited the Taiwan military to participate in this year’s exercise but decided to withdraw the invitation in order to avoid a confrontation with Beijing. – M.M.LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT INTSUMANALYST COMMENT: Abortion rights activist group We Won’t Go Back is mobilizing for nationwide protests over the holiday weekend. Most of these rallies and marches have received lackluster enthusiasm and attendance, indicating that left wing groups are currently unable to renew the political and cultural revolutionary zeal from the 2020 protests and riots. Cape Coral, FLSize: TBDActivity: Pro Abortion RallyLocation: 1627 Everest Pkwy, Cape Coral, FL 33904Time: 1600; Thursday, 30 JUNLakeland, FLSize: TBDActivity: Pro-abortion rallyLocation: 2515 S FL Ave Lakeland, FL 33803Time: 1700; Thursday, 30 JUNPensacola, FLSize: TBDActivity: Florida Youth Liberation Front plans a Pro Abortion RallyLocation: 100 N Palafox St, Pensacola, FL Time: 1900; Thursday, 30 JUNMiddle Township, NJSize: TBDActivity: Pro-abortion rallyLocation: 9 N Main St, Middle Township, NJ 08210Time: 1500; Thursday, 30 JUN(Next 48 Hours)New Orleans, LASize: TBD