U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday congratulated David Cameron on an "impressive electoral victory," after the British prime minister secured a new term in power.

"The special and essential relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is rooted in deep and abiding shared interests and values," Obama said in a statement.

U.S. President Barack Obama marked Friday the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany by calling the victorious Allied troops a generation that saved the world.

Obama moved up his traditional weekend radio address to coincide with the anniversary. It will be celebrated in Washington with vintage U.S. warplanes that flew in the war roaring over downtown for 45 minutes.

After reaching a late-night deal on a new coalition, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu signed an agreement Thursday giving a senior role to the far-right Jewish Home that firmly opposes a Palestinian state.

Following six weeks of intensive negotiations, the Israeli premier finally managed to forge a government late on Wednesday, just an hour before a legal deadline. Had he failed, he would have forfeited his position as premier.

With Iran emboldened and the United States seen in retreat, President Barack Obama faces the vexed task of restoring lost trust and influence when he hosts Gulf leaders at Camp David next week.

It is a meeting that Gulf officials privately describe as "a welcome gesture," "thrown together" and "long overdue."

The leader of Iraq's Kurds said Wednesday his region's forces had destroyed the Islamic State group's reputation for invincibility but now need help dealing with a flood of refugees.

After talks with President Barack Obama in Washington, Massud Barzani thanked U.S.-led forces for their air support in the battle against the jihadists, but called for more humanitarian aid.

President Barack Obama is expected to weigh in on ongoing tensions in America over police treatment of blacks -- and possibly offer a glimpse of his post-White House plans -- during remarks in New York on Monday.

Obama will travel to the Bronx to spin off the "My Brother's Keeper" initiative as an independent non-profit organization dedicated to improving opportunities for young black men.

Iran is determined to end the "manufactured crisis" over its nuclear program and drafting of a final deal with world powers, though hard, is progressing, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday.

The remarks, on Zarif's official Twitter account, came two days after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry denounced what he said was "hysteria" from opponents of an agreement, which is due by June 30.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry vowed support to Kenya on Monday in the battle against Somalia's al-Qaida-affiliated Shebab, after calling for unity in the face of terror attacks.

"The U.S. continues to stand resolutely with the government and people of Kenya in the effort to end scourge of violent extremism," Kerry said.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday denounced attacks against media around the world, receiving three journalists from countries that "severely restrict" freedom of the press. 

Obama's comments come two days after a report by the human rights group Freedom House said that press freedom around the world has plummeted to the worst level in a decade, with the United States and China among the countries tightening the noose.

The White House will next week host the head of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, a frontline ally in the fight against Islamic militants, a U.S. official said Thursday.

Massud Barzani will meet with both President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden only weeks after a landmark visit by new Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Barzani's last visit to Washington dates back to April 2012.