May 12, 1998

Jeb Bush, son of former Pres George Bush who lost Florida's gubernatorial race in 1994, seems well on way to completing Republican takeover of state government in fourth most populous state, solidifying party's pre-eminence in South; has formidable lead in polls, no primary opposition and three times finances raised by closest Democratic rival for campaign to succeed retiring Democratic Gov Lawton Chiles, who defeated him by narrow margin in 1994; says he is reaching outside his 'comfort zone' to groups he might have ignored in past, toning down conservative talk, staying away from divisive issues and listening more; photo (M)

Sunbeam Corp stuns employees by announcing plan to eliminate 6,400 jobs, or 40 percent of its work force, and to close 8 of 24 plants to help absorb 3 businesses it recently acquired; such drastic cost-cutting reorganizations symbolize management strategy of Sunbeam's chairman-chief executive Albert J Dunlap and in other cicrcumstances might have bolstered Sunbeam's stock; but Dunlap couples cutback with news of huge first-quarter loss and lowers expectations for rest of year, sending Sunbeam's stock down 7.4 percent; Sunbeam reports operating loss of $7.8 million for first quarter, compared with profit of $20.6 million; revenues declined 4 percent, to $244 million; chart (L)

New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani proposes legislation requiring city government to grant unmarried couples same rights as married couples; sends proposal to City Council, where passage is seen assured; fulfills 1997 re-election campaign promise to gay rights advocates, who say law will provide greater recognition of emotional and practical import of same-sex relationships; proposal will give city one of nation's broadest policies regarding domestic partnerships; would apply to heterosexual and homosexual domestic partnerships registered with City Clerk, and would enshrine into city law initiatives of former Mayors Edward Koch and David Dinkins administrations (M)

India conducts three underground nuclear tests at its Pokharan desert testing range in Rajasthan state, nearly 24 years after detonating only nuclear device; move seemingly signals determination to abandon decades of ambiguity regarding possession of nuclear weapons; Prime Min Atal Bihari Vajpayee, leader of Hindu nationalist party that has advocated embrace of nuclear weapons as step toward great-power status, makes announcement congratulating scientists and engineers; spokesman says tests will help scientists design variety of nuclear weapons for fast-developing missile program; tests are widely welcomed in India, with hardly any immediate dissent from opposition political parties and little sign of Ghandian pacifism that was strong element in policy in early years after independence; are condemned by international community; Clinton Administration expresses deep disappointment; is reviewing trade and financial sanctions under US nuclear nonproliferation laws; Britain voices dismay; Germany calls tests 'slap in the face' for 149 countries that signed nuclear nonproliferation treaty; UN Sec Gen Kofi Annan expresses 'deep regret;' Pakistan weighs nuclear test of its own, which would be its first; blames Western nations, particularly US, for failing to heed its recent warnings about nuclear ambitions of Vajpayee Govt; map; photos (M)

Fourteen years after Government forced breakup of old American Telephone and Telegraph Co--a policy step to promote competition and consumer choice--much of old Bell System is being put together again; biggest move yet comes when SBC Communications announces plans to buy Ameritech for $62 billion; combination would reduce to four the remaining Baby Bell regional phone companies, down from original seven spun off from AT&T in 1984; SBC would own nearly one-third of nation's phone lines, controlling local phone service in 12 states; map; chart (L)