Clashes near Gadhafi compound in Libyan capital

Clashes broke out early Monday near Moammar Gadhafi's compound in Tripoli, a day after rebels poured into the Libyan capital in a stunning advance that met little resistance from the regime's defenders.

Rebel spokesman Mohammed Abdel-Rahman said government tanks emerged from the complex, known as Bab al-Aziziya, early Monday and opened fire. An Associated Press reporter at the nearby Rixos Hotel where foreign journalists stay could hear gunfire and loud explosions from the direction of the complex.

Tripoli resident Moammar al-Warfali, whose family home is next to Bab al-Aziziya, said tanks rolled out from the compound in the early morning after a group of rebels tried to get in. He said there appeared to be only a few tanks belonging to the remaining Gadhafi forces that have not fled or surrendered.

Bab al-Aziziya, a sprawling compound that long served as the command center for the regime, has been heavily damaged by repeated NATO airstrikes over the past five months, al-Warfali said.

"When I climb the stairs and look at it from the roof, I see nothing at Bab al-Aziziya," he said. "NATO has demolished it all and nothing remains."

The rebels seized control of most of Tripoli in a lightning advance on Sunday, and euphoric residents celebrate in the capital's Greet Square, the symbolic hear of the Gadhafi regime. Gadhafi's defenders quickly melted away as his 42-year rule crumbled, but the leader's whereabouts were unknown and pockets of resistance remained.

Abdel-Rahman, who is in Tripoli with rebel forces, cautioned that Gadhafi troops still pose a threat to rebels, and that as long as Gadhafi remains on the run the "danger is still there."

The startling rebel breakthrough, after a long deadlock in Libya's 6-month-old civil war, was the culmination of a closely coordinated plan by rebels, NATO and anti-Gadhafi residents inside Tripoli, rebel leaders said. Rebel fighters from the west swept over 20 miles (30 kilometers) in a matter of hours Sunday, taking town after town and overwhelming a major military base as residents poured out to cheer them. At the same time, Tripoli residents secretly armed by rebels rose up.

By the early hours of Monday, opposition fighters controlled most of the capital. The seizure of Green Square held profound symbolic value — the plaza was the scene of pro-Gadhafi rallies organized by the regime almost every night, and Gadhafi delivered speeches to his loyalists from the historic Red Fort that overlooks the square. Rebels and Tripoli residents set up checkpoints around the city, though pockets of pro-Gadhafi fighters remained. In one area, AP reporters with the rebels were stopped and told to take a different route because of regime snipers nearby.

President Barack Obama said Libya is "slipping from the grasp of a tyrant" and urged Gadhafi to relinquish power to prevent more bloodshed.

"The future of Libya is now in the hands of the Libyan people," Obama said in a statement from Martha's Vineyard, where he's vacationing. He promised to work closely with rebels.

British actor John Wood dead at 81

British actor John Wood has died in his sleep, his agent said. He was 81.

"John was a distinguished classical actor, who was much loved and respected by his colleagues, and will be greatly missed," his representative said in a statement confirming Wood's Saturday death to the BBC Tuesday.

The cause of his death was not specified.

The actor's film credits include "Love in a Cold Climate," "War Games," "Ladyhawke," "Lady Jane," "The Madness of King George," "Shadowlands," "Sabrina," "An Ideal Husband" and "Chocolat." He also appeared in the TV programs "Lewis," "Goodnight Mr. Chips," "Foyle's War," "Love in a Cold Climate" and "Kavanagh QC."

Wood was made a commander of the British Empire in 2007 for services to drama. He won a Tony Award for his work in the 1976 Broadway production of Tom Stoppard's "Travesties."

The BBC said Wood is survived by his wife and four children.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Movies/2011/08/09/British-actor-John-Wood-dead-at-81/UPI-26721312937264/#ixzz1UbpOVZOd

Ben Foster to play John Gotti Jr.

Actor Ben Foster has signed on to play John Gotti Jr. in Barry Levinson's mob saga "Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father," The Hollywood Reporter said Tuesday.

Foster has appeared in the films "The Messenger," "Alpha Dog," "The Mechanic," "3:10 to Yuma" and "X-Men: The Last Stand."

John Travolta has been cast as Gambino crime family boss John Gotti Sr. in the "Gotti" project, while Travolta's wife, Kelly Preston, will play Gotti's on-screen spouse, Victoria. Al Pacino will play Gambino underboss, Neil Dellacroce, and Lindsay Lohan will play John Gotti Jr.'s wife, Kim.

The film is to go into production in New York in January, The Hollywood Reporter said Tuesday.

Lithgow set for Broadway return

John Lithgow has signed on to star in the world premiere production of David Auburn's play "The Columnist," the Broadway show's producers said.

The Manhattan Theatre Club's limited engagement of the play is to begin previews April 3, with opening night planned for April 25 at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, it was announced Tuesday.

Lithgow has received two Tony Awards -- for the 2002 musical "The Sweet Smell of Success," in which he played another notable columnist J.J. Hunsecker -- and in 1973 for his Broadway debut in "The Changing Room."

He also has earned five Emmy Awards, the most recent of which was for his work in Showtime's "Dexter." He has appeared in more than 30 motion pictures and received two Oscar nominations for "The World According to Garp" and "Terms of Endearment," as well.

"Columnists are kings in mid-century America and Joseph Alsop [played by Lithgow] wears the crown," said a synopsis of "The Columnist." "Joe is beloved, feared and courted in equal measure by the Washington political world at whose center he sits. But as the '60s dawn and America undergoes dizzying change, the intense political drama Joe is embroiled in becomes deeply personal as well."