Afghanistan has averted a full-blown political crisis after the two main contenders in a bitterly disputed presidential election — each claiming victory — agreed to back down from their escalating feud.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain have agreed to resume postal services to Qatar almost three years after they were stopped due to a political dispute, the United Nations said on Monday, Reuters reports.

Russian daily newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported that Turkey has prevented four Russian military aircraft, including two bombers, from crossing its airspace to Syria.