Business digest 06/07/05

Disabilities law applies to foreign cruise lines

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court, expanding the scope of a landmark federal disabilities law, ruled Monday that foreign cruise lines sailing in U.S. waters must provide better access for passengers in wheelchairs. The 6-3 decision is a victory for disabled rights advocates, who said inadequate ship facilities inhibited their right to "participate fully in society." Congress intended the 1990 American with Disabilities Act to apply to cruise lines, justices said.

Apple switching to chips that power Windows

SAN FRANCISCO -- After years of touting its Macintosh computers as superior alternatives, Apple Computer Inc. said Monday that it would switch to the very Intel microprocessors that power machines designed to run Microsoft Windows. Though the long-rumored transition will help the Mac compete against Windows PCs in performance and -- potentially -- price, the move poses big challenges for Apple, its software developers and users. Past Mac chip changes have led to significant market share losses.

Jurors still deadlocked in HealthSouth CEO case

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Deadlocked jurors in the corporate fraud trial of HealthSouth Corp. founder and fired CEO Richard Scrushy deliberated an 11th day Monday without reaching a verdict. A court official said the jury was scheduled to deliberate one more day this week. A note to the judge from the foreman on Friday said the panel couldn't make a unanimous decision on any of the 36 counts accusing Scrushy of orchestrating a $2.7 billion earnings overstatement.

Sears brands appearing in some Kmart stores

NORRIDGE, Ill. -- Martha Stewart, meet Craftsman tools and Kenmore appliances. The home doyenne has some new brand neighbors in the aisles of select Kmart stores -- and likely Sears stores too at some point. Sears Holdings Corp., which reports quarterly results for the first time this week, hopes the emerging partnership can breathe new life into two retail behemoths under its 10-week-old ownership. Scant sales data exists to assess how Sears Holdings and its 3,800 stores are faring since the company was formed with the March 24 purchase of 119-year-old Sears, Roebuck and Co. by Kmart Holding Corp.

-- From wire reports