Struggling BlackBerry maker Research In Motion said it will delay the launch of new phones deemed critical to the company’s survival and revealed its business is crumbling faster than thought.

Struggling BlackBerry maker Research in Motion has warned it will have an operating loss in the current March-June quarter and said there will be significant layoffs this year.

Struggling BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) has said it will cede most consumer markets after failing to compete with flashier touch-screen handsets such as Apple’s iPhone and models that run Google’s Android software.

Research In Motion’s new leader said yesterday the Blackberry maker did not need seismic change, a declaration seized on by impatient investors who pledge Thorsten Heins will be an interim chief executive if he does not turn RIM around quickly.

The Dutch Agriculture Ministry has halted all exports of live sheep, cows and goats after an outbreak of bluetongue.