Deputy Prime Minister Novak said Russia will immediately begin lifting diesel export restrictions ahead of schedule. Moscow plans additional diesel shipments to the United States and other partners of 300,000 tonnes in October, 500,000 tonnes in November and 1,000,000 tonnes in December. Novak added Russia’s domestic market will be fully supplied. The government had previously extended an export ban on diesel, marine fuel and gas oil through Oct. 31.

NHC: Tropical-storm conditions have begun along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast; preparations to guard against life-threatening storm surge and destructive winds should be completed within hours.

Most Asian currencies were steady vs the dollar on Friday morning as markets awaited U.S. data. UOB Global Economics and Markets Research said attention is on a run of releases including the University of Michigan preliminary consumer sentiment index to gauge U.S. household confidence, inf expectations and consumption resilience. UOB added that after this week’s sharp rise in long-term U.S. Treasury yields, investors will keep monitoring Treasury market dynamics and Fed officials’ remarks for policy clues. At the time of reporting USD/JPY was up 0.07% at 157.98, USD/KRW down 0.08% at 1,341.28 and AUD/USD up 0.3% at 0.6974.