Syria Syrians rallied in a massive show of support for the regime on the eve of a UN Security Council meeting to discuss a report implicating Damascus in the murder of Lebanese ex-premier Rafiq Hariri. Nigeria Nigeria began three days of national mourning as investigators sought to find out why a passenger airline crashed, killing all 117 passengers and crew on board. Iraq Oil experts from Iraq were halted after Iraqi rebels attacked key oil infrastructure and gunned down 12 building workers. Iraq The US death toll in Iraq is nearing 2,000, two-and-a-half years after the war to oust Saddam Hussein, Iraq Coalition Casualty Count said. Britain A Taiwanese health official attacked British experts for saying a parrot infected with bird flu picked up the deadly virus from Taiwanese birds in quarantine. Nepal The Himalayan Rescue Association has confirmed seven French climbers and 11 Nepalese mountain guides were killed in a massive avalanche last week in northwest Nepal. SAsia The United Nations warned that with winter snowfalls expected within a month time was running out for survivors of the earthquake that killed more than 53,000 people in Pakistan's Kashmir region. US Hurricane Wilma pounded Florida with torrential rain and lashing winds as residents in vulnerable zones ignored official orders to evacuate. France The French government has provoked the wrath of trade unions by announcing the part privatisation of Europe's biggest power utility, Electricite de France, in line with EU competition laws. Ethiopia Eritrea has slapped restrictions on UN troops monitoring its order with Ethiopia, adding to fears of fresh conflict, officials said.