June 12th 2026 - Iran, UFC Fight, Biolabs, Gas Prices

n today’s briefing, we strip out the narrative and focus strictly on the verified facts surrounding developments in Iran and the federal government’s potential takeover of Washington D.C. We also dive into the declassification of evidence regarding U.S.-funded biolabs globally and warnings from oil executives about worsening gas prices, and finish with the arrest of linebacker Jonathon Cooper for violating a protection order. 

No sides. All facts. 

Dive deeper into today's news and explore 200+ unbiased sources at: https://strippedoutnews.com

Keep up with breaking coverage on X: @StrippedOutNews

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:06

I'm Jesse Spano, and I'm so excited to bring you the stripped out news brief for today's top stories. No sides, all facts. Let's dive in, shall we?

SPEAKER_02 0:19

Welcome to the Stripped Out News Daily Podcast. Before we dive in, I wanted to let you know the Stripped Out News storefront is open and ready for business. If you want to support the project and get some premium gear, head over to stripptoutnews.com slash merch. The vault is open. Friday, June 12, 2026, from Iran Tensions, White House UFC, Mixed Inflation Signals, and Alabama Execution Blocked. Let's go. Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, recently declassified evidence concerning a network of U.S. government-funded biolabs operating globally. This network reportedly encompasses over 120 facilities located in 30 different countries. The director stated that information regarding the existence, history, locations, and funding of these labs has been intentionally obscured. She attributed this alleged concealment to powerful individuals who she claims falsely denied the facility's existence. The declassified intelligence is said to confirm earlier public discussions about U.S. Government funding for such international biological research sites. Specifically, the evidence reportedly corroborates previous claims about U.S.-funded labs in places like Ukraine. This disclosure highlights a perceived lack of transparency surrounding certain U.S. government activities abroad. The director's actions are presented as an effort to bring previously undisclosed information into the public domain. This development could prompt further examination of U.S. funding for international biological research and potentially lead to calls for greater accountability. It also raises questions about the oversight of U.S. funded projects operating in foreign nations. A U.S. scholar, Min Xin, has been arrested in China on suspicion of espionage. This individual is known for his extensive work on Myanmar and Chinese foreign policy. He is also a graduate student at UC Berkeley and founded a research group focused on Myanmar. Chinese authorities allege that he was engaging in espionage activities that endanger China's national security. This official statement came from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Lin Zhen. The arrest occurred shortly after President Trump held a meeting with Xi Jinping in China. The scholar's background includes a history of activism in Myanmar, a country of significant strategic interest to China. The specific details of the alleged espionage activities have not been made public. This development could lead to diplomatic discussions between the United States and China regarding the scholar's detention and the broader environment for foreign researchers. A federal judge has ruled that a UFC event scheduled for the White House South Lawn can proceed as planned. The event, set for June 14th, coincides with Flag Day and President Trump's 80th birthday. Two Virginia residents filed a lawsuit to block the fight, claiming it would cause irreparable harm, but the judge ruled they lacked legal standing to challenge it. The Department of Justice supported the decision, arguing it was too late to cancel the event without significant disruption. The UFC fight has sparked debate over the appropriateness of hosting a sporting event at the White House. Critics argue it's an unprecedented use of the presidential residence, while supporters see it as a celebration of American culture and patriotism. Country singer Zach Brown, who will perform the national anthem at the event, has defended his involvement, calling it an act of patriotism rather than politics. The ruling highlights the challenges of challenging events on federal property, particularly those involving private organizations. Legal experts note that demonstrating harm in such cases is a high bar. The event is expected to proceed as planned, with security and logistical preparations already in place. This decision could set a precedent for future events on public grounds. President Trump recently made a significant statement regarding the future governance of Washington, D.C. He indicated that the federal government would take back the Capitol City if a Democratic Socialist candidate wins the upcoming mayoral election. This declaration specifically referenced Democratic Socialist D.C. Councilmember Janice Lewis George, who was widely considered a frontrunner in the race. The primary election for the D.C. mayoral position is scheduled for next week, with the general election slated for November. The president stated that such an outcome would not be tolerated, emphasizing we won't put up with it. He also mentioned the potential invocation of the D.C. Home Rule Act as a means to exert federal control. Washington, D.C. operates under a unique system where local governance is granted through the Home Rule Act, but ultimate authority rests with Congress. This historical context highlights the ongoing tension between local autonomy and federal oversight in the nation's capital. The president's remarks suggest a potential reassertion of federal authority, which could significantly alter the city's self-governance depending on the election results and subsequent federal actions. Recent developments in the Los Angeles mayoral election have brought forth allegations of voter payments. Homeless individuals residing in the city's Skid Row area claim they were offered cash in exchange for their votes. These allegations surfaced after Republican Spencer Pratt was eliminated from a runoff position, with late-counted mail-in ballots reportedly altering the race's outcome. Councilwoman Nithya Raman secured the second spot in the runoff, a shift that some observers have characterized as an improbable surge in votes from post-election day ballot counts. Videos circulating on social media show multiple individuals stating they accepted payments, ranging from $2 to $5. These payments were allegedly offered for votes cast for Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Raman. One individual, Kevin Shepard, specifically claimed he received $4 to vote for Mayor Bass via a mail-in ballot, which he then deposited. The Skid Row area where these claims originate has the highest concentration of homelessness in Los Angeles County. These allegations contribute to ongoing discussions about election integrity and the processing of ballots. Recent economic data reveals a nuanced picture of inflation in the United States. The Consumer Price Index, or CPI, which tracks the cost of goods and services, saw an increase to 4.2% year over year in May. This marks a rise from the 3.8% recorded in April. Some analyses have characterized this May CPI figure as the highest reported by the Labor Department in three years. Simultaneously, the Producer Price Index, or PPI, which measures prices at the producer level, is also being closely examined. These inflation metrics are crucial for the Federal Reserve as it evaluates potential adjustments to interest rates. There are differing views on what the data signifies. One perspective suggests that underlying price trends indicate a calming of inflation, arguing against further rate hikes. However, another interpretation contends that these readings point to an intensifying inflation problem. The Federal Reserve's upcoming decisions on monetary policy will depend on its comprehensive evaluation of these conflicting signals. Ariana Grande has publicly demanded that the White House stop using her music in a TikTok video produced by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The video, which shows federal agents arresting and handcuffing individuals, was posted on social media and quickly drew attention. Grande's criticism highlights the ongoing debate over the use of copyrighted music in government-produced content. The White House responded to Grande's demand, defending its use of the song in the video. Administration officials argued that the music was used to enhance a video's message and reach a broader audience. This response has sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting the administration's stance and others criticizing it as insensitive. The controversy underscores the broader tensions surrounding immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The debate is likely to continue as both sides weigh in on the appropriateness of such practices. Moving forward, it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact future interactions between artists and political entities. The Department of Homeland Security recently announced a significant development regarding unaccompanied migrant children. The Trump administration has located 146,000 children who arrived in the U.S. during the previous administration. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullen made this announcement on Thursday. These children were reportedly unaccounted for after being released to sponsors following their arrival at the U.S.-Mexico border. Concerns had been raised about the vetting of these sponsors. It was also alleged that some of these children may have been involved in trafficking situations. This effort is being highlighted by the administration as a major step in ensuring accountability. The announcement underscores ongoing discussions about immigration policies and border management. Further actions regarding the welfare and placement of these children are anticipated. This development could influence future policy decisions concerning unaccompanied minors. Meta's platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, faced widespread outages on June 12, 2026, leaving thousands of users unable to access their accounts. The company's communication director, Andy Stone, confirmed the issues in a post on X, stating that Meta was aware of the disruptions and working to resolve them. Outage tracking site Down Detector reported a sharp spike in complaints, with users noting they were logged out or unable to load content. The outages also impacted Meta's Facebook ads manager, Messenger API, Messenger Platform, and WhatsApp Business Platform, indicating a broad disruption across its services. Users took to social media to express frustration, with many highlighting how the outages disrupted their daily routines and business operations. Progressive voices called for increased regulatory oversight of centralized tech platforms, while conservative commentators questioned Meta's ability to maintain reliable services. The incident underscores the vulnerabilities of large-scale digital infrastructure and the potential consequences of service disruptions. Meta has not yet provided a detailed explanation for the cause of the outages, but has assured users that efforts are underway to restore full functionality. An AI startup, Prometheus, recently secured a substantial $12 billion in new funding. This significant investment has propelled the company's valuation to $41 billion. The startup, co-led by its founder and Vic Bajaj, aims to develop an artificial general engineer. This advanced AI is intended for applications within the physical world, specifically targeting areas like heavy engineering and drug design. The company, what her employs around 150 people, seeks to automate complex design processes. Mr. Bajaj previously co-founded Alphabet's health-focused research group, Verily. This funding round follows earlier reports about the startup's formation last November. The capital infusion is expected to accelerate the development of AI-powered engineering tools for physical products. This move highlights a continued focus on integrating artificial intelligence into industrial and scientific sectors. The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked Alabama from executing inmate Jeffrey Lee using nitrogen gas, a method the state had planned to use for the first time. The unsigned decision, issued on June 11, 2026, temporarily halts Lee's execution, which was scheduled for that evening. This ruling follows a lower court's determination that nitrogen gas executions violate constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment. Alabama had appealed to the Supreme Court for emergency intervention, but the justices declined to overturn the lower court's decision. Proponents argue that nitrogen gas is a more humane alternative to lethal injection, while critics say it remains untested and could cause prolonged suffering. The decision has reignited debates over the future of capital punishment in the U.S., particularly as states seek alternatives to lethal injection. Legal experts predict this case could lead to broader litigation over the constitutionality of nitrogen gas executions. For now, Jeffrey Lee remains on death row, awaiting further legal proceedings. The Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into Philadelphia's practices regarding concealed carry permits. This federal inquiry will assess how the city's law enforcement agencies handle the application and issuance processes for these permits. The action aligns with the current administration's stated efforts to expand federal protection of Second Amendment rights. This move comes amid ongoing national discussions about the balance between federal and local authority over firearm regulations. The Department of Justice, under President Trump, has previously indicated a focus on Second Amendment issues. The investigation will specifically examine the operational procedures and criteria employed by Philadelphia's law enforcement in processing these applications. This includes reviewing timelines for permit issuance, grounds for denial, and the overall consistency of applying local ordinances. The objective is to ensure local practices align with federal interpretations of constitutional rights.

SPEAKER_01 14:31

This federal oversight is seen by some as a necessary step to address potential infringements on citizens' rights to carry firearms for self-defense.

SPEAKER_02 14:42

Industry officials have recently informed the White House that gas prices are expected to worsen significantly in the coming months. For the past four months, prices have hovered around $4.50 per gallon, largely due to commercial and government inventories supplementing consumption. These reserves have been crucial since the beginning of the Iran War, which impacted global energy supplies. However, these inventories are now rapidly depleted, with some potentially being depleted in a matter of weeks. The American Petroleum Institute's CEO, Mike Summers, stated that inventories are reaching record lows. He specifically highlighted the need to address issues in the Strait of Hormuz, linking it to the current supply concerns. This situation could lead to a substantial increase in prices, especially as the summer holidays approach. The White House is reportedly fully aware of the widespread alarm among industry leaders regarding these developments. Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathan Cooper was arrested on Thursday, June 11, 2026. This marks his second arrest within a week. The recent incident stems from an alleged violation of a protection order that had been issued against him. This protection order was put in place following an earlier arrest last week, which involved a domestic violence case. Douglas County, Colorado jail records confirm the athlete's arrest on Thursday night. Protection orders typically establish specific conditions, such as restricting contact between individuals to ensure safety. An alleged violation of such an order can lead to additional legal charges. The specifics of how the linebacker allegedly violated the order have not been made public. This development adds another layer to the ongoing legal proceedings initiated by the initial domestic violence arrest. He will likely face further court appearances to address the alleged violation, which could carry additional legal ramifications.

SPEAKER_00 16:35

I hear the horns, so it's time to bug out. I'm Jesse. I've been great, and those have been today's top stories. Brought to you by Stripped Out News. Dive deeper on these and more at stripptoutnews.com. Go on, hit me up. Oh, wait, don't forget. Buy stuff. We're pouring