Syrian president says the US is participating alongside Syria in talks with Israel, but negotiations are not easy.

S&P GLOBAL MARKET INTELLIGENCE economist Eleanor Dennison said Australia’s economy weakened at the end of Q3, with growth momentum continuing to fade in September. The quarter remained slightly expansionary, an improvement on a weak Q2. Business sentiment stays positive but confidence in the growth outlook has weakened amid layoffs, rising cost pressures, softer demand and renewed export weakness. Services remain the main growth driver but the rebound there has softened; manufacturing is weak, with activity and sentiment indices turning negative for the first time since March. Commodity producers report increased supply-chain pressure, though inflationary pressure has eased.

Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister joined a closed leaders’ meeting chaired by French president Macron, UK prime minister Burnham and Canadian prime minister Carney during the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. He condemned Israel’s refusal to implement a US-proposed Gaza peace roadmap and urged the international community to pressure Israel to meet Gaza ceasefire obligations and stop rights violations so the roadmap can be implemented and Gaza stability restored.