* Senate Republicans block legislation to avoid government shutdown
* Will Dems drop fight on debt limit to avoid government shutdown?
* Treasury and Fed heads set to warn that Delta variant slowing economy
* Europe’s energy crisis is warning for US, says gas trader
* US bank mergers expected to reach highest level since 2008
* Power outages in China create challenges for factories
* US durable-goods orders rose sharply in August
* Brent crude oil (international benchmark) tops $80 a barrel–highest since 2018: