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The U.S. economy’s service sector contracted in June as prices reached a record high and employment reached a record low, the Institute for Supply Management said Thursday.

Two federal lawmakers joined the head of the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut in calling for action to help relieve soaring fuel prices that are driving trucking companies out of business, the Connecticut Post reported Thursday.

The average price of a gallon of retail diesel dipped 0.3 cent last week, to $4.645, making June only the second month so far in 2008 during which the average did not rise, the Department of Energy reported.

ArvinMeritor Inc. said Wednesday that its fiscal third-quarter sales will rise as much as 20% to $2 billion on higher demand in Asia and South America, and for military products in North America.

Factory orders jumped 0.6% in May, the third straight increase, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

Truckers protested high fuel prices in London and in India Wednesday, blocking streets and parking rigs, Bloomberg reported.

Tire maker Michelin & Cie. is boosting commercial truck replacement tire prices by as much as 8% in North America, Bloomberg reported.

Construction spending fell 0.4% in May, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

U.S. manufacturing levels expanded in June for the first time in five months, the Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday.

Laws prohibiting hand-held cell phones take effect Tuesday in California and Washington state, the Associated Press reported.