At the Cancun meeting of the world trade talks in September 2003, a powerful new grouping of developing countries emerged. Led by rapidly growing countries and major exporters like Brazil, China, India, and South Africa, this group has been powerful enough to challenge the EU and the US in trade negotiations.
If the situation is really bad it can even be caused by the rod itself contacting the crankshaft journal (where the bearing has become out of place). The most common cause of rod knock is due to a spun bearing (bearing itself actually spins in the end of the rod so it becomes out of position).
Interference engines DO cause damage if the timing belt breaks. Non Interference or freewheeling engines usually will not cause the valve to hit the pistons if valve timing is incorrect. Ford escort is Not a interference engine. The valves will not hit the pistons if the timing belt breaks.