January 10, 2003

Thomas D Mottola, longtime chief executive of Sony Music Entertainment, says he is leaving to start his own record label; announcement comes after tumultuous year for Mottola, whose relationship with top Sony executives has been strained in recent months, particularly in light of huge financial losses in music division and shrinking market share; music division has lost more than $132 million so far in its latest fiscal year, largely because of higher artist costs; photo (M)

Sacramento Kings defeat New Jersey Nets, 118-82; photos (M)

Selena Roberts Sports of The Times column discusses Sacramento Kings player Chris Webber, longtime darling of media and NBA despite run-ins with law; questions whether his notable charisma can keep him afloat through possible playoff run and upcoming trial in case of Michigan University booster Ed Martin; photo (M)

Article examines whether some people seeking refuge from homelessness are truly in need or simply using New York City's generous system; unusually high number of those seeking shelter are from outside city; in first 10 months of 2002, 16.1 percent of families that applied for shelter resided outside city one month earlier; New York is only city under court order to provide shelter immediately to people who can prove they need it, regardless of origin or immigration status; some instances cited in which families have gone to Emergency Assistance Unit because they have friends or families who have been placed in 'nice' homes through system; photo (M)

Chief United Nations weapons inspectors sharply criticize Iraq for failing to come forward with new information to clarify its weapons program, but say they have 'not found any smoking gun' indicating that Baghdad is concealing illegal weapons; American officials seize on inspectors' report as new proof that Iraq is not cooperating with inspections as required by Security Council resolutions; American diplomats suggest they will step up pressure at UN for military action if Iraq does not change by end of month; Hans Blix, one of two chief inspectors, says declaration Iraq presented in December is lengthy but lacks much new information; says Baghdad has given 'inadequate response' to demand for complete list of Iraqi weapons experts; Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of International Atomic Energy Agency, says aluminum tubes Baghdad tried to import were intended to build rockets and not centrifuges to enrich uranium; Bush administration has cited tubes as central piece of evidence for its claim that Pres Saddam Hussein is trying to restart nuclear arms program; inspections chiefs cast serious doubt on Iraq's cooperation so far; photo (M)