February 4, 1999

John Tierney column on fashion magazines' recent preference for celebrities over supermodels on their covers suggests models follow lead of other wealthy interest groups and seek aid of New York City politicians (M)

Federal Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson openly questions reliability of video evidence Microsoft has presented in court and calls situation 'very troubling'; Jackson, at request of Microsoft, agrees to end proceedings for the day to let Microsoft regroup and try again on Feb 4; at issue has been videotape that Microsoft has shown to try to demonstrate key defense point--that its Windows operating system and Internet browser are not, as Government contends, separate products bundled together to stifle competition, but single product blended seamlessly to benefit consumers (M)

J Paul Getty Museum will return three important pieces from its antiquities collection to Italy after agreeing that works were stolen; works include 480BC Greek terra-cotta drinking cup, torso of God Mithras from second century and second-century Roman copy of head of Diadumenos, sculpture by Polyclitus; move is one of most significant archeological restitutions to Italy in many years; comes after years of dispute between Italian authorities and American museums and private collectors; Italian officials praise restitution as hopeful sign; have longstanding dispute with Metroplitan Museum of Art over its collection of third-century BC Hellenistic silver; photos (M)

G.M. Sales Weaker Than Those of Rivals As many of its competitors reported double-digit sales increases, General Motors said that its sales rose a scant 4 percent in January compared with exceptionally weak sales in the month a year earlier. G.M.'s car sales rose 11.4 percent, largely on gains from its newer midsized cars. However, the auto maker's truck sales dropped 3.7 percent. G.M. continues to be plagued by inventory shortages, particularly of its new full-size Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks, in the aftermath of last summer's two-month strike, which shut down almost all of its North American assembly plants. [Page C4.]

Retirement of Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan, basketball's best player and premier attraction, spurs concerns about future of National Basketball Association as it struggles to restore its image in wake of destructive lockout; players, coaches and league officials believe there is no one player to replace Jordan; see handful of young stars and return to team rivalries renewing fan interest; photos (M)