According to a White House statement, Mike Pence spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi by telephone to discuss the “upcoming May elections in Iraq, reports of Iran attempting to meddle in Iraq’s election and government formation, and the need to ensure free and fair elections that include Iraq’s citizens displaced by the fight against ISIS”.

In a tweet, Mr Pence also gave details about the conversation.

“Spoke [with] Iraq PM @HaiderAlAbadi about our Admin’s commitment to PROTECT persecuted Christians & religious minorities in Iraq & the Middle East. Also congratulated PM on Iraqi Sec Forces success against ISIS & highlighted the partnership [between] them & US military & coalition partners,” he tweeted.

Both leaders expressed looking forward to increased trade and economic ties between Iraq and the United States.

The US and UK invaded Iraq 20 years ago on 20^th March and nearly seven years since the official end of the Iraq war, the number of US military personnel stationed in the country continues to steadily decline.

However, Christian charities have warned the future of Iraqi Christians remains uncertain despite the Iraqi government declaring victory in the war against so-called Islamic State (IS).

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Elim Church in New South Wales paid for digital signs to be displayed at Erina Fair shopping centre before a complaint about the wording was made.

Pastor Martin Duffy told 2GB radio that shopping centre manager Lendlease objected to the signs and forced them to be changed to read “Risen Christ” instead of “Jesus”.

“The phrase ‘Jesus is alive’…is the core message of the Christian faith and what Easter’s really all about,” he said.

“It’s a good message. I think there’s a minority group out there that are constantly distorting the message of Jesus Christ. It’s just going on and on.”

The sign was placed as an – for an upcoming free community event.

The pastor claimed Lendlease requested the sign be changed as it could offend non-Christian shoppers.

However, Mr Duffy said Lendlease has since changed their mind and allowed “Jesus” to be included in the sign.

In a statement, a Lendlease spokeswoman said they regretted asking for the sign to be changed.

“It was an error of judgment to ask Elim Church to change its messaging, and we apologise unreservedly. Lendlease values diversity and inclusion, and we welcome people of all backgrounds at our shopping centres.”

While the sign hasn’t been returned to its original wording, Mr Duffy said he was hopeful it will eventually be returned.

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The Most Rev Justin Welby will officiate the highly anticipated ceremony in May, but, even as the most senior cleric in the Church of England, he still experiences concerns.

He told ITV News that forgetting the order of the wedding vows or misplacing the ring – both mishaps he has suffered before – are possibilities which he will strive to avoid.

And, from a career perspective, the stakes could hardly be higher – the grandmother of the groom is the only person senior to him in the church.

The Queen is the supreme governor of the Church of England and this week gave her formal consent to the marriage of Harry and Ms Markle, an American actress.

Asked about his preparations for the approaching nuptials, Mr Welby said: “Unlike recent weddings, I must not drop the ring. And I must not forget to get the vows in the right order, as I did at the rehearsal for one of my children’s weddings.

“At the heart of it is two people who have fallen in love with each other, who have committed their lives to each other with the most beautiful words and profound thoughts, who do it in the presence of God, through Jesus Christ, you pray for them to have the strength to fulfil their vows.

“And you seek to do it in a way that respects their integrity and honours their commitment.”

The Archbishop reportedly sparked panic at a service last…