9Northampton Chronicle & Echo, Saturday, September 11, 2010www.northamptonchron.co.uk

NATIONAL ANDWORLDNEWS IN BRIEF

by Ruth Pott-Negrineruth.pottnegrine@northantsnews.co.uk

Postal workers bracedfor battle over revampPOSTAL workers are braced for abitter battle with the Governmentafter it decided to press aheadwith controversial privatisationplans. The decision came after areport warned that “urgent action”was needed to protect the RoyalMail. Controversy over ownershipof the Royal Mail erupted whenan updated version of a study– originally ordered by the Labourgovernment – called for privateinvestment. Richard Hooper saidthe Royal Mail’s financial positionhad worsened since his earlierreport, warning that the group’s£10 billion pension deficit was moreunsustainable.

■THOUSANDS of Muslimsgathered at one of western

Europe’s largest mosques yesterdayto condemn the pastor who plannedto burn copies of the Koran. HadhratMirza Masroor Ahmad, world head ofthe Ahmadiyya Muslim Community,addressed millions of people from alive telecast from the Baitul FutuhMosque, in Morden, south westLondon. He said the actions of TerryJones, the pastor of a church inGainesville, Florida, in threateningto stage an “international burn-a-Koran day” had spread “hatred”around the world.

■THE Government must wake upto the reality of a “Christmas

for criminals” as up to 40,000 policeofficers could be axed if 25 per centfunding cuts go ahead, the PoliceFederation said yesterday. The body,which represents officers in Englandand Wales, said forces would be left“devastated”.

■GUEST judge Pixie Lott is put onthe spot in tonight’s X Factor.

The singer replaced Dannii Minogueduring auditions in Cardiff andviewers will see her agonise whenshe gets the final say on 16-year-oldTom, from Pontypridd, South Waleswho divides the judges.

■HUNDREDS of sex abuse victimsgave harrowing accounts of

abuse by Catholic priests thatreportedly led to at least 13 suicides,an independent Belgian commissionsaid yesterday. Professor PeterAdriaenssens, chairman of thecommission, said the abuse mayhave been even more extensive thanthe 200-page report suggests, becausehis panel’s work was interruptedand all its files seized in a June raidby Belgian judicial authorities whoare conducting their own probe.Adriaenssens, a child psychiatristwho has worked with traumavictims for 23 years, said nothinghad prepared him for the stories ofabuse.

■MORE than 230,000 Japaneselisted as at least 100 years old

can’t be found and may have diedlong ago, according to a governmentsurvey. The Justice Ministry ordereda review of records that foundabout 77,000 people who would beat least 120, and 884 people whowould be 150 or older. The headcount followed a flurry of reportsabout how elderly people are fallingthrough the cracks in Japan as itspopulation ages rapidly and familyties weaken.

■BIRTHDAYS: BRIAN DePalma, film director, 70; Franz

Beckenbauer, former footballer, 65;Roger Uttley, former rugby player/coach, 61; Amy Madigan, actress, 60;Virginia Madsen, actress, 49; Moby,composer and musician, 45; HarryConnick Jr, singer and actor, 43;Richard Ashcroft, rock singer, 39.

A belly good way to danceA celebration ofthe female formBELLYDANCING celebratesthe female form, says troupemember Sarah Ruff, who hasdanced with Haraam for sevenyears.It originated as a celebration

of reproduction and fertility andwomen performed the dancefor other women; traditionally,the only men who would see itwould be relatives.Haraam’s style of dancing

reflects these traditions andaudience members from Arabiccountries who have seen themhave praised them for remindingthem of back home, “a realhonour”, said Michelle.The troupe has also performed

in Blackpool and a number of itsmembers have danced in Turkey.Closer to home, their audienceshave included Rotarians inTowcester, WIs, fetes and arecent 90th birthday party,where a 92-year-old woman gotup and danced with the troupe.“People have heard of Haraam

and we suspect we’re certainlyone of the oldest troupesaround,” said Derry.Maureen Cooke has been with

the troupe for 14 years, havingheard about classes through afriend. She thought it soundedlike a good idea and went along.Her friend stopped classes butshe kept on with it. “I likedancing, I just love this,” shesaid.Sarah has been dancing for

eight years. “I wanted to dosomething for keep fit andsomething which was outsideof my family. I was going togo along with a friend, shedidn’t turn up but I went alonganyway.”Maria Finedon was flicking

through a community centrebrochure at a children’sparty six years ago whenshe read about Haraam. “Idon’t personally like dancingwith other men, I don’t feelcomfortable, I can’t dance formen, but around other women Ifind it’s not flirty.“I love the dance and it’s like

another family.”The newest member of the

troupe is Mary Hill, who hasbeen with Haraam for 21months. “I didn’t do anythingthat was girly so I thought I’dhave a go.”Haraam’s lessons take place

once a week in Wootton anddo not require women to bookon for a set number of classes.Their ethos is non-competitiveand all the troupe’s members areinvolved in teaching.“If you’re having a stressful

day it’s a great release,” saidMichelle. “If you’re depressed orstressed it just lifts you. All yourworries go away.”To find out about classes visit

www.haraam-dancers.co.uk orcall Northampton 402093.