Vatican Pope John Paul II died after a long struggle with crippling infirmity, triggering an outpouring of grief reflecting a tumultuous 26-year pontificate that helped shape global politics and inspired millions of Christians the world over. Vatican Words of grief and heartfelt accolades poured in from around the world as leaders honoured the memory of Pope John Paul II, who died as one of the most important figures in modern history. Vatican Solemnly, silently, 100,000 people gathered under the apartment windows of Pope John Paul II, praying for him "to be accepted by the angels and brought to paradise." Indonesia-Australia Nine Australians were presumed dead after a helicopter crashed while on an aid mission over the quake-hit Indonesian island of Nias, the Australian military said. Indonesia Almost one week after a huge quake exploded off Indonesia, deepening both the physical and mental damage of last year's tsunami, the country now faces a steeper road to recovery and the alarming prospect of preparing for more disaster. Britain Prime Minister Tony Blair was expected to announce that general elections in Britain will take place on May 5, which his Labour Party appears set to win for a historic third consecutive time. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe's ruling party steamrolled to election victory, winning a two-thirds majority that strengthened President Robert Mugabe's 25-year hold on power. Iraq Forty to sixty Iraqi insurgents mounted a brazen assault on the US-run Abu Ghraib prison Saturday night hours before Iraq's new parliament was due to meet to try to break a stalemate on forming a government. Mideast Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas placed West Bank security services on a 'state of alert', deploying troops across the territory in a bid to curb rampant security chaos. OPEC OPEC president Sheikh Ahmad Fahd al-Sabah said the cartel should start talks to consider pumping an additional 500,000 barrels per day to calm soaring oil prices.