Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, April 1

NEW DELHI -- Nine people died when a four-storey hotel collapsed late Saturday in Indore, a city in India's central state of Madhya Pradesh, local press The Asian Age reported.

Ten people were rescued and rushed to hospitals, while more people were feared trapped under the debris of the hotel, the report said. The identities of the deceased is not yet known. (India-Hotel Collapse)

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DAMASCUS -- The Syrian army on Saturday declared a major victory after wresting control over much of the Eastern Ghouta countryside of Damascus.

In a statement, the army said after a series of "precisely-planned" military actions, the Syrian army has captured 31 towns and areas in Eastern Ghouta, still in fight with the rebels in Douma district, the last rebel stronghold north of Eastern Ghouta. (Syria-Victory-Eastern Ghouta)

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RAMALLAH -- The Palestinians on Saturday accused the United States of blocking a United Nations Security Council statement on the situation in the Gaza Strip and said the U.S. objections encourage Israel to continue its aggressive actions against the Palestinian people.

The Palestinian National Authority Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad al-Malki said in an official statement that "Washington would block any effort in the Security Council related to the massacre committed and to be committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip." (Palestine-Gaza-US)

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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. and British Departments of Defense on Saturday released names of the two soldiers killed in a bomb attack on Thursday in Syria.

The Pentagon said in an announcement that the soldier, who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, is Master Sgt. Johnathan J. Dunbar, 36, of Austin, the state of Texas. (US-Britain-Syria) Enditem