December 28, 1991

President Boris N. Yeltsin of Russia flexed his powers of office today, cutting the duties of his Vice President and moving into Mikhail S. Gorbachev's office without giving him a chance to clean it out first. Vice President Aleksandr Rutskoi, a Yeltsin ally in their election campaign in June who has since become a voice of opposition, was removed by Mr. Yeltsin's order from the chairmanship of five special Russian executive committees, according to news reports tonight.

Stock Prices Set Records With interest rates at rock bottom, stock indexes set records. The Dow Jones industrial average, closed at 3,101.52, up 18.56 points. Page 33. Housing for the Affluent Despite laws to help the poor, Government housing auctions have generally benefitted the affluent. Page 33. Trade Targets: Beer, Tools The United States said it would set duties on Canadian beer and extend machine tool import limits. Page 33. Indians vs. Fish Lovers To save a rare fish, environmentalists want to block a plan by the Ute Indians to improve their lot. Page 7. Steinbrenner's Hurdles George Steinbrenner faces several obstacles in his bid to regain control of the Yankees. Page 29.

The Philippines told the United States today that it must withdraw from the Subic Bay naval base by the end of 1992, ending a vast American military presence that began with the capture of the islands from Spain in 1898. The decision, which resulted from an impasse in negotiations, follows a year of intense talks between the countries on the fate of American bases in the Philippines. The announcement also comes just three days before President Bush begins a 12-day Asian tour.

The Dinkins administration has quietly cut off the flow of Federal funds for heating subsidies to several Jewish and Irish community centers in Brooklyn and Queens, arguing that not enough of the money was going to black and Hispanic residents. Facing steep cuts in funds from the Federal Government, the administration has shrunk from 17 to 11 the number of field offices citywide where the poor can apply for subsidies from the Federal Home Energy Assistance Program, which gives needy families as much as $195 each winter for utility bills.

The K.G.B. denied the Kremlin information about Raoul Wallenberg, the Holocaust hero captured by Soviet forces, documents show. Page 4.