WASHINGTON (AP) — There's new evidence today that job cuts are easing. The Labor Department says first-time claims for jobless benefits fell by 20,000 last week to the lowest level in 10 months. But economists still expect the unemployment rate will tick up to 9.9 percent when October's figure is reported tomorrow, from last month's 9.8 percent.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Companies are squeezing more production from their work forces. The Labor Department says the amount of output-per-hour-worked jumped 9.5 percent in the third quarter, the sharpest increase in six years. Higher productivity means companies can produce more without hiring extra workers.

NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers haven't exactly been splurging, but they're apparently returning to the stores. A preliminary tally of October sales by Thomson Reuters finds eight retailers posted results that beat Wall Street estimates, while five missed forecasts. Sales rose 5 percent at Costco Wholesale Corp. and 4 percent at Gap Inc.

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (mahk-MOOD' ah-BAHS') has told political allies he won't run in January elections, according to two of his aides. They say Abbas will deliver a speech today explaining that he's frustrated by the impasse in peacemaking with the Israelis.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter has waited almost a decade to win another World Series — and now that it's happened, he says it feels even better than he remembered. The Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies last night, 7-3 in Game 6 in their new stadium. It's their 27th championship, the most in all of sports.