»WHAT'S THE STORY?

The preliminary hearing in the trial of Neil Entwistle (RIGHT), the British man charged with killing his wife and baby daughter in the US, is due to take place next Friday, 26 Jan. The 28-year old was charged with fatally shooting his wife Rachel (27) and their nine-month-old daughter, Lillian Rose (FAR RIGHT), at their home on 20 January 2006. He is alleged to have committed the murders in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, before flying to the UK last year. He later returned to the US to face charges of murder after being arrested in London on 9 February last year.

» WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?

Entwistle was transferred from prison to a psychiatric hospital last month amidst fears that he may attempt to take his own life.

He was moved to the state hospital after a letter he had written to his parents in England was found in his cell. The letter said he had nothing to live for and that if he died, he wanted his ashes scattered over the graves of his wife and daughter.

After spending some time in the psychiatric hospital, he was released and Middlesex County Sheriff James Di Paola said: "He does not appear to be a threat to himself or to others."

» WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

After this week's preliminary hearing, Entwistle's trial is expected to take place in the autumn in Middlesex Superior Court, with a tentative date for the start of the trial set for 1 October, 2007.

And the nominations are? Oscar fever begins

»WHAT'S THE STORY?The Oscar nominations will be announced on Tuesday at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in LA. Helen Mirren (The Queen) and Forest Whitaker (The Last King Of Scotland) are virtual sure-things for the best actress and best actor statuettes. Irish hopes rest with Peter O'Toole for his part in Venus. There is no clear contender for best picture with The Departed (Matt Damon, pictured), Little Miss Sunshine, Babel, The Queen and Dreamgirls all squaring up.

» WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?

"Whoever Keyser Soze is, I can tell you he is going to get gloriously drunk tonight." - Kevin Spacey (RIGHT), 1995 Academy Awards "What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film." - Jessica Yu, Best Short Subject Documentary, 1997 Academy Awards

» WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The Academy Awards ceremony, now in its 79th year, will begin at 5pm LA time on 25 February at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Ellen De Generes (RIGHT) will host.

Quick factoid: the official name of the Oscar statue is the Academy Award of Merit.