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The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the busiest U.S. trade complex, were struck by about 120 truck drivers protesting low wages and their employers’ refusal to let them join a union, a spokeswoman said.

The trade deficit in the U.S. narrowed more than forecast in May on record exports, signaling a pickup in global growth that will boost American manufacturers.

American factories, propelled by the strongest orders of the year, sustained gains in June and are poised to be part of the rebound in economic growth.

Growth at U.S. factories held in June near the fastest pace of the year, a sign that manufacturing helped boost the economy in the second quarter.

The number of contracts to purchase previously owned U.S. homes jumped in May by the most in more than four years, a sign the residential-real estate market is rebounding after a slow start to the year.

Consumer spending in the United States grew in May as Americans used gains in income to shore up household finances.

Fewer Americans filed applications for unemployment benefits last week, a sign of steady progress in the labor market.

The Commerce Department opened the door to more U.S. oil exports as long as the crude is lightly processed, tempering the impact of a law that has banned most such shipments for the past 40 years.