Briefly

ARGENTINA

Candidates set for presidential faceoff

Argentina's Economy Minister Sergio Massa and the anti-establishment upstart he faces in a presidential runoff next month began competing on Monday to woo nearly 9 million swing voters. The Peronist economy chief earned about 37 percent of Sunday's vote, ahead of the chain saw-wielding economist and freshman lawmaker Javier Milei, who received 30 percent, a surprise reversal of preelection expectations. On Nov 19, voters will either choose Massa, despite triple-digit inflation that took place on his watch, or place their hopes on a self-described anarcho-capitalist who promises a drastic shake-up of South America's second-largest economy.

TURKIYE

Sweden's NATO bid awaits parliament nod

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan officially submitted Sweden's NATO membership application to parliament on Monday, his office said, a move welcomed by Stockholm as Turkiye clears the way for Sweden to join the military alliance. Erdogan agreed at a NATO summit in July to put the ratification of Sweden's membership before the Turkish parliament as pressure mounted on Ankara from partners. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson welcomed the move, calling the announcement "encouraging news".

BANGLADESH

Trains collide, killing 17 and injuring scores

At least 17 people were killed and scores injured on Monday after two trains collided in eastern Bangladesh, police said. A passenger train crashed into a freight train in Bhairab, about 80 kilometers northeast of the capital Dhaka. "Seventeen bodies have been recovered and many injured taken to hospital," said Anowar Hossain, superintendent of Dhaka Railway Police, adding that the death toll could climb as rescue operations were continuing. "Initial reports suggest the freight train broke the signal, leading to the tragedy," he said.

PORTUGAL

Bobi, world's oldest dog, dies at age 31

Bobi, the world's oldest dog, has died at the age of 31 in Portugal, Guinness World Records said on Monday. Bobi lived on a farm in Conqueiros village in Portugal with his owner Leonel Costa and four cats. He was born on May 11, 1992, when his owner was just 8 years old. That made Bobi more than 217 years old in dog years when he died. Bobi was a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed of Portuguese dog that usually has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.

Agencies Via Xinhua