August 22, 1998

Clinton Adm makes measured claims of success for cruise-missile attacks in Sudan and Afghanistan; officials say attack on mountain redoubt in Afghanistan will disrupt training and, possibly, future attacks by terrorists sponsored by Osama bin Laden; cloudy weather and haze obscure satellite photographs of what Adm describes as sprawling terrorist training camp in Afghanistan; senior Adm officials say preliminary assesments indicate that missiles destroyed or damaged many buildings in complex about 90 miles south of Kabul; Pres Clinton signs exec order that places bin Laden on Treasury Dept's list of terrorists and their sponsors, clearing way for officials to seize his assets; photo of wreckage of pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum, Sudan (L)

Harlem's streetss and stoops buzz with interest and speculation about Khalid Muhammad's plans for 'Million Youth March'; residents support idea of encouraging black youth, but fear potential for violence; Christopher Johnson doubts Muhammad's intentions and says he has yet to hear what march's purpose is; other Harlemites are willing to look beyond rhetoric; photos (S)

United States Atty's office in Manhattan files criminal charges against Charles R Groeschel, head of Assn of Individual Ministries, charging that Groeschel used AIM as centerpiece of pyramid scheme that promised copious--and ultimately nonexistent--financial returns; SEC makes similar charges in civil case filed against Groeschel and group; SEC became involved because group's pitch, in spite of its religious trappings, was basically a promise of a return--a hefty one--for investing money; Federal officials describe scheme as one of more exploitative frauds in recent memory, one that snared about 2,000 victims nationwide between 1996 and earlier this year; case reviewed; photos (M)

In bizarre twist to sale of baseballs supposedly used in David Wells's perfect game, Rich Gressle, man who sold balls to Long Island memorabilia dealer, says that he wrote letter authenticating Wells's signature on balls and then forged signature of American League umpire Al Clark on letter (M)

Conn Gov John G Rowland fires child welfare supervisor and transfers five managers following death of six-year-old boy, David Ryan Keeley, who showed signs of abuse; also orders better background checks on potential guardians, and will speed plans for temporary safe houses where children can go pending placement; child was found dead in New Haven apartment of aunt and uncle who were his legal guardians, less than year after police report quoted child describing how they hit him; Rowland scorns 'lackadasical' approach and 'old mind-set' of putting family in treatment; child was known to system from infancy, with suspected abuse reported by relatives, schools and others; his photo; aunt, Lynne Friend, and husband were in substance abuse program (M)