] With the shortened red carpet in place and giant golden
] statues ready to stand outside the ceremony, preparations
] and security measures have been stepped up ahead of
] Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony.
]
] The have promised a more "sombre and dignified" affair
] than usual to avoid appearing insensitive as war is being
] waged in Iraq.
]
] But several thousand anti-war protesters are expected to
] gather outside the venue to use the world's assembled
] media to get their message across.

Oscars shaken by war protests