This Chinese philosopher – who lived and taught in the fifth century BC – is described as having “established an enduring and decisive link between education and political power” through his helpful and wise thoughts. On the Tube train to Michael Heseltine’s election press conference at Tarquin House, I found myself absorbed in a review of a new translation of The Analects of Confucius. It said it was shown to a top lawyer, forensic psychologist and audience of disabled people before an 18 certificate was granted.Thomas Sutcliffe, The Tabloid. But in Britain there is still opposition, with Virginia Bottomley, the Secretary of State for National Heritage, renewing her call that it should not be shown.But although Crash, starring Oscar winner Holly Hunter, Rosanna Arquette and James Spader, demands a strong stomach, its sterile atmosphere and stress on the unsatisfactory nature of the characters’ relationships acts against any glam- orisation of its subject matter.A spokesman for Westminster Council said yesterday: “In the light of the BBFC ruling, Westminster’s licensing sub-committee will review its decision made last November.”The BBFC’s director, James Ferman, ruled the “unusual and disturbing film” was neither illegal nor harmful. Otherwise, the venue could be one of the “art house” cinemas just outside the city centre.
A spokeswoman for Columbia TriStar said yesterday: “What we hope is that in the light of the BBFC decision Westminster Council will review their position.”The film directed by David Cronenberg, who defends it as “a metaphor”, will open uncut in the United States tomorrow. If it refuses to do so, the only possible venue in central London for a premiere will be the Institute of Contemporary Arts which is outside the council’s licensing jurisdiction. Although the BBFC said this week that the film, based on the novel by JG Ballard, could be shown uncut to adult audiences, Westminster Council has not withdrawn the ban it imposed last year.

A date for the premiere will not be set until a release date for Britain has been named by the distributors, Columbia TriStar. Crash, the controversial film about a group of people sexually aroused by car accidents, may be denied a central London premiere despite its 18 certificate granted by the British Board of Film Classification. They were wearing dark puffa-style jackets and dark jeans and were about 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall.Anyone who has information about the incident should contact British Transport Police on 0171-380 1400.. One of the most serious incidents involving a firearm on the London Underground happened in July 1995 when a gunman shot a tube passenger after an argument at Stockwell station in south London.The gun was fired in the victim’s face but at the last minute he lifted his arm to defend himself and the bullet was deflected by the metal bangle he was wearing.Owners of the newly privatised railways have also recognised that security needs to be improved and have recently begun hiring security guards to protect against pickpockets and robbers.The gunmen involved in the incident on Saturday were described as black and aged 17-20. The tube train involved in the latest robbery did not have a guard and the driver was unaware of the attacks.The use of firearms is rare but gangs of youths have used a technique called “steaming” to move through carriages at great speed snatching bags and wallets.

The men robbed them of about pounds 50 before fleeing at Willesden Junction.Detective Inspector Alan Pacey, of the British Transport Police, who is heading the investigation into the robberies, said: “We are concerned there could be repeated incidents although there is nothing to suggest that the Underground was targeted specifically.”It is extremely rare for guns to be used on the Underground.”The rail unions have argued that cuts in staff have made the Underground system less safe. They took about pounds 4 in loose change before the woman was allowed to leave at the next station.Further along the line at Stonebridge Park station, seven women boarded the train. As the train left the station the two men pulled down dark coloured woollen balaclavas and drew handguns. The number of robberies on the Tube has gone down by 3 per cent to 560 in the last year.The robbery happened on Saturday night in north-west London but details were only released yesterday because the police have had problems in interviewing the victims – six of whom are from Ethiopia, Somalia and Uganda, one from Singapore and the eighth has yet to be contacted.The women, all in their 20s and 30s, had been working on late shifts doing casual work.The robbers were first seen at about 11pm by the Singaporean women on the Bakerloo Line train at Harrow and Wealdstone.The two men, who were photographed by Underground surveillance cameras, were joined on the platform by two teenage girls who then left the station.The suspects got on the empty southbound train with the victim. Attacks involving firearms on the Underground, however, remain extremely rare.

Video pictures of the assailants were released yesterday and a pounds 1,000 reward for the their capture has been offered.
The move is seen as a frightening escalation in the level of violence on the railway system. The gunmen only stole about pounds 50 in the late-night attack. Police fear that two masked robbers who held up eight women at gun point on the London Underground could strike again. “This would purely be a ‘friendly’ fixture against the Brazilian Rowing Federation, with Oxford and Cambridge taking part.”The Hoorays and Sloanies could arrange a trip across the Atlantic – perhaps the explorer and Amazon veteran Redmond O’Hanlon could be persuaded to act as tour guide – and forsake their Pimm’s for ayahuasca, the indigenous psychotropic drug that induces spiritual ecstasy Maybe they’ll never come back Now that would be a result.. So if you ask them about rowing, Oxford and Cambridge would probably come up.”But there’s still only one Boat Race,” Royle said. “If you ask anybody in the Amazon about football they would probably mention Manchester United. “When he comes in we give him a list of the invitations we have received and we ask him ‘Which one would you like to go to?’ ” said Royle.”It’s then a matter of consultation but he would have a big say.” It might be difficult to turn down this invitation.Royle was not absolutely sure why the approach has been made, but thought that the world-wide television coverage was part of it.”Oxford and Cambridge boat clubs are ambassadors to the rowing world, just like Manchester United is to football,” he said.