Vatican Pope John Paul II hovered near death, fully conscious and serenely awaiting his fate according to officials, as thousands of pilgrims gathered in prayer and cardinals prepared Catholics around the world for his demise. Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's ruling party won victory in parliament elections as the opposition charged "massive fraud" and accused the veteran leader of treating Zimbabwe "like his private property." Mideast Jewish settler leaders and Israeli security chiefs have clinched a deal to try to avoid armed confrontation during the controversial withdrawal from the Gaza Strip planned for later this year. Iraq Insurgents gunned down an Iraqi police chief and blew up the top of a centuries-old minaret as Sunni Arab leaders feuded over their role in a government still a long way from being finalised. Britain Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown moved to the forefront of Labour's quest for re-election, pledging to make it possible for even more Britons to own their own homes. Czech Embattled Czech Prime Minister Stanislav Gross survived a no-confidence vote after the opposition Communists abstained, allowing his Socialist-led government to remain in power. Kyrgyzstan Felix Kulov, a respected opponent of Kyrgyzstan's ousted regime who was freed from jail hours after the government fell, said he would run in upcoming presidential elections. Brazil Thirty people, including three children, were killed in what authorities called often violent Rio de Janeiro's worst massacre when eight gunmen opened fire from two cars, police said Friday. Sudan-Darfur A UN agreement to try Darfur war criminals at the International Criminal Court boosted hopes of an end to political stalemate in the Sudanese region where thousands have died in two years of conflict marked by mass rapes and torture. Monaco Prince Rainier of Monaco's chances of survival were described as extremely slim, as his son and heir Prince Albert took over the reins of power in the Mediterranean microstate.