More Deaths, More Destruction as Israeli Aggression and Iranian Retaliation Continue into Day 4 

Mangaluru, July 4: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested a key accused, who had been living abroad for the last two years, in connection with its probe into the sensational murder of BJP leader Praveen Nettaru in Karnataka, officials said.

The accused, Abdul Rahaman, was taken into custody by the NIA team at the Kannur International Airport in Kerala on his arrival from Qatar, they said.

A total of four accused, including Rahaman and two other absconders, were chargesheeted by the NIA in the case in April this year, taking the total chargesheeted in the case to 28.

The NIA had also declared rewards for information relating to six absconders. Rahaman was carrying a reward of Rs 4 lakh for this arrest. He is the 22nd accused to be arrested in the case.

Investigation officers claim that Rahaman, on directions of PFI leadership, harboured the main assailants and others involved in the case, the agency said in a statement, adding that he fled to Qatar after the attackers were arrested.

Nettaru was killed with sharp weapons by assailants on July 26, 2022, in Bellare village of Sullia Taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, the statement said.

According to NIA, the killing was part of a larger conspiracy aimed at striking terror among the people and unleashing communal hatred and unrest in the society.

The NIA, which re-registered the case on August 4, 2022, is trying to track down the remaining absconders.

Tehran, June 28: Iran is holding a grand funeral service for those martyred in the 12-day aggression by Israel and the US against the Islamic Republic.

The funeral in capital Tehran for 60 nuclear scientists, military commanders and civilians martyred in Israeli strikes began at 8:00 am (0430 GMT) in Enqelab Square on Saturday, proceeding to Azadi Square, about 11 kilometers across the sprawling metropolis.

A huge crowd of mourners is participating in the procession, accompanying coffins with chants of "death to Israel" and "death to America" and carrying placards.

"Boom boom Tel Aviv," read one banner, referring to Iranian missiles fired at Israel during the conflict in retaliation for its attacks on Iran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, along with other senior government officials and military commanders including head of the Quds Force Brigadier General Esmail Qa’ani are also attending the event.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, who attended the procession, paid flowing tributes to the martyrs in a message on X.

“Today, the zealous people of Iran carry on their shoulders, with heavy sorrow but standing steadfast and powerful, some of their purest and most patriotic sons and daughters - commanders, elites, athletes, women and children of this land - who were martyred during the war imposed by the aggressor Zionist regime, and with indescribable respect, they lay them to rest on the soil of their homeland like mythical heroes; so that each one may become a seed for the growth of other heroes," he wrote.

Images showed coffins draped in Iranian flags and bearing portraits of the martyred commanders in uniform near in the iconic Enqelab Square in central Tehran.

Mohsen Mahmoudi, head of Tehran's Islamic Development Coordination Council, called it a "historic day for Islamic Iran and the revolution".

Among the martyrs is Mohammad Bagheri, a major general and the second-in-command of the armed forces after the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

He will be buried alongside his wife and daughter, a journalist for a local media outlet, all martyred in an Israeli attack in Tehran.

Nuclear scientist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, also martyred in the savage aggression, will be buried with his wife.

Chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami, who was martyred on the first day of the unprovoked aggression, will also be laid to rest after Saturday's ceremony — which will also honor at least 30 other top commanders.

Of the 60 people who are to be laid to rest after the ceremony, four are children.

Iranian officials say more than 600 people, mostly civilians, were martyred in Israeli and US aggression against Iran.

The ceremony coincides with the second day of the Islamic month of Muharram, which commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam, and his 72 companions.

In 680 AD, Imam Hussein (AS) and his followers fought bravely for justice against the much larger army of the Umayyad caliph, Yazid I, in the Battle of Karbala, in southern Iraq.

“Iranians have proven that they are the nation of Imam Hussein; a nation that, in the battle of truth against falsehood, relying on faith, steadfastness, and national solidarity, has the ability to overcome any evil," Baghaei wrote.

Elon Musk’s America Party — announced on July 4 — has moved beyond mere symbolism and is now laying out a clear political strategy aimed at disrupting the traditional two-party dominance in the United States.

While the party’s launch initially drew curiosity and skepticism, recent statements from Musk suggest that this is more than a passing experiment.

What is the America Party?

According to Musk, the America Party was formed to “keep democracy alive” and return “freedom” to American voters. He positions it as an alternative to what he calls the “two-party (some say uni-party) system” that currently dominates U.S. politics.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk wrote:

“Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”

What Are the Party’s Political Goals?

The America Party does not aim for a nationwide campaign in its initial phase. Instead, Musk has revealed a targeted strategy, focusing on:

3 Senate seats

8 to 10 House districts

The aim is not to secure a majority, but rather to block one. By doing so, the America Party hopes to hold the balance of power in Congress, enabling it to influence or even prevent the passage of major legislation from either of the dominant parties.

This approach is designed to position the America Party as a swing force in close votes — not unlike the role small parties sometimes play in parliamentary systems abroad.

Why Now?

Musk’s announcement came shortly after the passage of a controversial bill dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill”, reportedly backed by Donald Trump. Musk publicly disagreed with the legislation, prompting speculation that his political move was a response to growing frustration with both the Republican and Democratic establishments.

His messaging has strongly emphasized political independence, government accountability, and restoring individual freedoms — themes that resonate with a growing number of voters dissatisfied with the status quo.

Can Elon Musk Run for President?

Despite growing interest and speculation, Elon Musk cannot legally run for President of the United States under current constitutional rules.

He was born in South Africa and became a U.S. citizen in 2002.

However, the U.S. Constitution requires presidential candidates to be natural-born citizens.

Unless the Constitution is amended — an extremely unlikely scenario — Musk’s role in U.S. politics will remain that of a party leader, financier, or influencer, rather than a presidential candidate.

Final Thoughts

Whether the America Party becomes a viable political force remains to be seen. But with a calculated strategy and a high-profile founder, it has already begun drawing attention from voters, analysts, and media alike.

What began as a social media poll has now evolved into a political experiment — one that could test the resilience of America's two-party system and redefine how influence is wielded in Washington.