Blackberry ban threat lifted

THE United Arab Emirates has backed off a threat to cut key BlackBerry services, just days before a ban was set to take effect that could have harmed the country’s business-friendly reputation.

The decision ended more than two months of brinksmanship with the Canadian company that makes the smart phones.

The Emirates telecommunications regulator confirmed that a deal had been reached with device maker Research in Motion that brought the devices into compliance with laws.