Also. . .

* Microsoft Corp. and the Justice Department jointly asked for a two-week delay of their Sept. 8 antitrust trial to provide more time for public pretrial questioning of Chairman Bill Gates and two dozen other witnesses. Microsoft, voicing concern its trade secrets will be disclosed, has asked a U.S. appeals court to bar the public from attending depositions. The appeals court has ordered legal briefs on Microsoft’s appeal filed by Monday.

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* General Motors Corp. cut $150 off the base price of its redesigned 1999 Chevrolet full-size pickup, its best-selling vehicle. The new Silverado will start at $15,995, including a destination charge of $640, GM said. Shoppers will probably have to wait until at least late autumn before they see the new truck, which GM began shipping to dealers in small numbers.

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* Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Inc. agreed to buy Britain’s closely held Glass’s Group for $205 million in cash in the buyout fund’s first investment in Europe. Glass’s, which provides information on vehicle prices, is similar to the Kelley Blue Book in the U.S.