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The US military struck three facilities in Iraq on Tuesday, targeting an Iranian-backed militia in retaliation for missile and drone attacks on American troops in Iraq and Syria over the past several days, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

The US strikes hit militia facilities in western Iraq, near the Syrian border, US Central Command said.

At President Biden's direction, US military forces conducted necessary and proportionate strikes on three facilities used by the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia group and other Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq, Austin said in a statement. These precision strikes are in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against US and Coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias.

It was one of the most important speeched of his public life, and PM Narendra Modi did full justice to it. Widely acknowledged as a powerful orator, Modi adroitly blended raw emotion, rhetorical flourishes, subtle political messaging, the occasional touch of humour and many references to the importance of mass prosperity and technology.

In his 36-minute address, Modi masterfully conflated devotion for Lord Ram with an appeal to build a stronger nation. Extend your consciousness from ‘Dev se desh, Ram se rashtra’ (from deity to country, from Ram to nation), he repeatedly exhorted the thousands gathered at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya and the millions watching the event on myriad screens -- from mobiles to multiplexes -- worldwide.

Four years after the landmark Supreme Court judgment, the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will be inaugurated on Monday, January 22. The mega event will witness over 7,000 people in attendance, including politicians, celebrities, industrialists, saints and around 100 representatives from different countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lead the Pran Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony. The consecration ceremony is scheduled to take place between 12.20 pm and 1 pm on January 22.

The celebration won't be limited to India, as towns like Oakville and Brampton in Ontario, Canada, have declared the day as "Ayodhya Ram Mandir Day". The Indian-American community in North America is also preparing to celebrate this historic occasion with various events and rituals. Approximately 1,000 temples across the United States are organising events such as car rallies, cultural programs, and religious ceremonies.

Pakistan and Iran “agreed to de-escalate” tensions and expressed their willingness to work with Iran on “all issues” in a call between their foreign ministers on Friday after both countries exchanged drone and missile strikes on militant bases on each other’s territory.

The tit-for-tat strikes by the two countries are the highest-profile cross-border intrusions in recent years and have raised alarm about wider instability in the region since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted on Oct. 7.    

Amid mounting excitement over the consecration of Ram Mandir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released six special commemorative postage stamps dedicated to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple along with an album carrying similar stamps released by other countries, the US and Canada included, and said Lord Ram has been a global role model.

In a video message released on the occasion, the PM said Lord Ram's appeal cut across national geographies.