June 11, 1999

The Christian Coalition is losing its tax-exempt status because of its political activity and is reorganizing in an effort to retain its influence. The group has been a powerhouse in the Republican Party for a decade, rallying voters behind candidates who support the causes of religious conservatives. But the influence of the coalition has seemed to wane in the last couple of years, and it has had trouble raising money. Article, page A20.

American and NATO officials say that although political future of Kosovo is left vague in settlement that ended the war, they envision an international protectorate that will in theory be part of Yugoslavia, but may well, after a few years, become independent; senior NATO official says that as refugees return and society is rebuilt, Kosovo will become virtually 'walled off' from Yugoslavia; people living in Kosovo would not serve in Yugoslav Army or pay taxes to Yugoslavia; new police force and judiciary would have to be created without Serbian influence; currency would probably be either German mark or American dollar, and trade would turn south and west toward Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro instead of north toward Serbia (M)

Profile of Mia Hamm, who, at 27, is considered world's best female soccer player; at 15, she became youngest player ever to join national soccer team, and in winning a world championship and an Olympic gold medal in recent years, she has scored 109 career goals, more than any other man or woman to play the game; she has also reached uncommon level of celebrity and corporate appeal; starting next week, Hamm will headline largest sporting event ever held for women, Women's World Cup, 16-team tournament that begins at Giants Stadium on June 19 and will be played in stadiums across country; photos (L)

New York City, after 30 years of failed attempts to tame traffic in Herald Square, is planning to widen sidewalks, add crosswalks, eliminate lane of traffic and extend islands to make it safer for 100 million pedestrians who cross square each year; plan, by city's Transportation Dept, has tentative support from business groups that blocked past proposals; map; photo (M)

Two Views of Test Results Did New York City school students do better or worse on reading tests? It depends on how the results are examined, experts say. PAGE B6 Most Health Goals Missed The nation has met 15 percent of the health goals it set 20 years ago, and for 1 in 5 targets, it is losing ground, the Government says. PAGE A30