August 19, 1993

The third world is giving the American economy an unexpected and much-needed lift, by increasing its imports of American goods by almost one-third over the last two years, with another large jump anticipated this year. American sales to the nonindustrialized world rose to $167 billion last year, up 14 percent over the previous year and largely offsetting weak demand from Europe and Japan, both plagued by economic slumps. Exports to the third world jumped to more than 37 percent of total United States exports last year, from 32 percent in 1990. Several Factors Cited Administration officials attribute the export boom to several factors. The rapidly industrializing countries of Asia are growing at a phenomenal pace, enabling them to purchase more American metal-cutting machines and Madonna records. Mexico, Argentina and other Latin American countries have recently lowered many tariffs and removed other trade barriers, while the region's growth is picking up after years of stagnation.

Sharp Cutbacks by Kodak Eastman Kodak will eliminate 10,000 jobs by the end of 1995 in a move that may be a precursor to more drastic cuts to come. Page D1. Stocks Surge in Europe European stock markets have soared to new highs, with investors anticipating that interest rates are about to begin a steady decline. Page D1. Judge Grants Girl's Wish A Florida judge ruled that Kimberly Mays, who was switched at birth, has no obligation to maintain contact with her biological parents. Page A16. Why U.S. Put Sudan on List The Sudan does sponsor terror, Washington says, but there is no clear evidence of a link to reported bomb plots in New York. Page A11. Doubts About Jail Incident Westchester's County Executive accused jail guards of staging a hostage-taking that occurred before a planned vote on their raises. Page B1. S.A.T. Scores Rise Again For the second straight year, the average scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test rose, prompting optimism about the nation's schools. Page A16.

Vernon E. Jordan was trying to be discreet. True, of all the shirts in his wardrobe, the President's close friend and adviser had chosen to wear the blue polo with the White House insignia. Everyone here says that Mr. Jordan, who has been coming to Martha's Vineyard for 20 summers, is the point man for the Presidential visit. Everyone, that is, except Mr. Jordan.

WHEN BMW starts advertising itself as the car for "quality carpooling," you know major movement has appeared on the sonogram of popular culture. A new brood of magazines and their advertisers have decided that it is family fun time in America. Geared toward a generation of parents -- 52 million strong -- for whom the dictatorial blueprints of the 1950's fit as well as Guess jeans during a pregnancy, they are less about coping with colic than about the existential gestalt of it all.

Israel is keeping John Demjanjuk in prison, although a second set of Supreme Court justices has ordered his deportation. He will stay in his cell at least two more days while the court hears more appeals. Three weeks ago, justices overturned his conviction on charges that he was the Nazi death-camp guard known as Ivan the Terrible.