• Republican McConnell signals blockade of any 2024 Biden high court nominee
• One of 14 people injured in Austin shooting dies
• U.S. bishops to discuss Communion rules that may rebuke Biden for abortion views
• U.S. to expand work permits for immigrants who are crime victims
• U.S. COVID-19 deaths cross painful 600,000 milestone as country reopens
• U.S. Supreme Court seeks Biden views on Harvard admissions dispute
• New York City to hold ticker-tape parade for essential COVID-19 workers
• Ex-NSA contractor Winner who pleaded guilty to leaks released from prison

World

• Exclusive: NATO approaches Qatar to seek training base for Afghan forces after withdrawal
• New Israeli government faces tension with Palestinians over Jerusalem
• UK's Johnson delays lockdown easing by a month, citing Delta variant risk
• Egypt upholds death sentence for 12 senior Muslim Brotherhood figures
• Brazil to deploy special force to protect the Yanomami from wildcat gold miners
• Putin on successor: Ready to support critic if he is true to Russia
• EDF examines gases build-up at Chinese nuclear plant
• Catalan leader plays down potential pardons for separatists, seeks referendum

• Toshiba's chairman resists calls to resign, to bring in new directors
• S&P 500 and Dow slip as upcoming Fed meeting looms
• Exclusive: Carlos Ghosn pledges lengthy fight to clear his name
• AMC jumps more than 18%, other 'meme stocks' mixed
• Bitcoin tops $40,000 after Musk says Tesla could use it again
• JPMorgan stockpiling cash, waiting for interest rates to rise -CEO
• Electric-truck maker Lordstown's CEO, CFO resign, shares slump
• Loeb's U.S. hedge fund Third Point owns Vivendi stake - source

• Actor Ned Beatty has died at age 83 - media
• Box Office: 'In the Heights' Disappoints With $11 Million Opening Weekend
• A Minute With: Boy George on turning 60, new music and biopic
• Joyful 'In the Heights' is love letter to Latinos in U.S.
• Actor Riz Ahmed leads bid to change way Muslims seen in movies
• Kim Kardashian has no regrets as 'Keeping Up' reality series ends
• Warner Bros. plans anime movie in 'Lord of the Rings' series
• Placido Domingo honoured in Spain after harassment allegations

• MLB roundup: Jays belt 8 HRs in record-setting rout of Red Sox
• Paralympians still battle misconceptions, says Stockwell
• Jaguars LB K’Lavon Chaisson tests positive for COVID-19
• Soccer-Denmark's Eriksen undergoing detailed examinations, says agent
• Badminton-Indonesian doubles star Kido dies of heart attack at 36
• Golf-Woods playoff was cool, says Mediate as U.S. Open returns to Torrey Pines
• Golf-Rahm ready to roll at U.S. Open as Mickelson eyes Grand Slam
• Tennis-French Open done and dusted, Djokovic on track for calendar Slam