SNAPSHOTS

Police find child’s body in hole: A search for a 4-year-old New Mexico boy led authorities Sunday to a deep, narrow hole in a neighbor’s backyard where police located the body of a child. Carlsbad police said they think the body, 30 feet down, is that of 4-year-old Samuel Jones, who was reported missing Saturday. There was no indication of foul play.

Delays as United absorbs Continental: Passengers on United Continental flights over the weekend faced delays and long telephone wait times as United took over Continental’s operations, but the company said more flights were on time Sunday than Saturday. The company combined passenger reservations data, including frequent flier accounts, from the two airlines early Saturday.

Rock guitarist Montrose dies: Guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who formed the band that bore his name and performed with some of rock’s biggest stars, has died. His booking agent, Jim Douglas, said Montrose died Saturday at his home in Millbrae, Calif. He was 64.

Thousands fleeing Syria: As many as 2,000 people fleeing the war in Syria were believed to be headed toward the Lebanese border on Sunday, a United Nations official said, signaling a growing humanitarian crisis.

U.S. rescues Iranian sailor: The U.S. Navy says it has rescued an Iranian merchant seaman and recovered the bodies of three others after their boat capsized during rough weather in the Gulf. The Navy says it launched the rescue mission Saturday after spotting a life raft with one survivor.

Saint’s ancient heart stolen: Officials at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin said Sunday they’re distraught and perplexed over the theft of the church’s most precious relic: the preserved heart of St. Laurence O’toole, patron saint of Dublin. O’toole’s heart had been displayed in the cathedral since the 13th century.

Saudi says Syrians right to fight: Saudi Arabia said Sunday that Syrians have a right to take up arms to defend themselves against the regime and accused the Damascus government of “imposing itself by force,” as concerns mounted over a humanitarian crisis there.

Poland defends rail safety: Poland’s government insisted Sunday that rail travel is safe in the country despite a train collision that killed 16 people. The two trains collided head-on Saturday night, killing 16 people and injuring dozens more near the southern town of Szczekociny, just north of Krakow. Both trains inexplicably were on the same track.

Chavez says new tumor was cancerous: President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela said Sunday that a tumor removed from his pelvic region during an operation in Havana, Cuba, was malignant, indicating that the cancer he was treated for last summer had returned. In a broadcast from Havana, where he has been recovering from the operation, he said that he would undergo radiation therapy.