December 15, 1984

A Federal judge today approved requests by six of the seven regional telephone companies to enter a broad range of businesses beyond local telephone service. Judge Harold H. Greene of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia gave the permission by modifying his 1982 order for the breakup of the Bell system. That breakup led to the establishement in January of the regional companies, Domestically, the companies would be able to engage in computer sales, telephone equipment leasing and office products sales, among other businesses. Overseas, they could offer data processing, consulting, engineering and construction services.

The United States has lifted its objections to Polish membership in the International Monetary Fund in response to the freeing of political prisoners in Poland, a senior Reagan Administration official said today. The move clears the way for Poland, which has a heavy debt burden, to rejoin the organization, something it has wanted to do since the late 1970's. Poland's efforts have been effectively squelched by United States opposition, which started after the Polish Government repressed the Solidarity trade union movement. As a member of the organization, Poland could obtain credit more easily to pay its foreign debt, which amounts to about $35 billion.

President Reagan said today that he was still committed to proposing spending reductions next year that would bring the Federal deficit down to about $100 billion by 1988. In a brief exchange with reporters, Mr. Reagan did not indicate how he would meet this goal of halving the deficits without major savings in the military budget. Several of his top budget advisers said it appeared to them that the President would not accept their proposal to reduce projected military spending by $58 billion over three years. Without that, the President would need to add to his sweeping package of domestic spending reductions to reach his goal.

Industrial production in the United States turned modestly higher in November after a two-month slump, prompting economists to strengthen their forecasts for the economy. The Federal Reserve Board reported yesterday that production at the nation's factories, mines and utilities rose four-tenths of 1 percent last month. Many economists said the increase - when considered with the rise in retail sales reported Thursday and the drop in unemployment reported last week - indicated that the economy was beginning to expand again after a two-month pause. ''These are three very strong numbers,'' said William E. Gibson, chief economist at the Republicbank in Dallas. ''They make it clear the economy is healthy.''

The United States and Cuba announced an agreement today for the repatriation of 2,746 Cuban criminals and mental patients who came here in the 1980 boatlift from the port of Mariel. White House officials said the agreement opened the way for the resumption of normal immigration from Cuba to the United States, which has been largely suspended since 1980. Larry Speakes, the White House spokesman, emphasized that the agreement ''does not signal any change in U.S. policy toward Cuba.''