The world at a glance . . . Europe

London

Stones guitarist’s death reopened: British police have formally reopened their inquiry into the death 40 years ago of Brian Jones, a founding member of the Rolling Stones. Jones was found dead at the bottom of his swimming pool in 1969, shortly after he had been kicked out of the band. A coroner said Jones had accidentally drowned while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, but the ruling did not quiet speculation that the death was not an accident. Last year the Daily Mail published a long article by investigative reporter Scott Jones citing evidence—including testimony from the houseguest who’d found the body—that the guitarist’s friend Frank Thorogood had killed him, though the motive was unclear. Thorogood died in 1993.

Milan, Italy

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Ramadan vs. soccer: The Italian sports world is debating whether devout Muslims make reliable soccer players. The controversy began when coach José Mourinho of the Inter Milan team benched one of his players, Ghanaian Sulley Muntari, who had been fasting all day for the Muslim holy month. “He was clearly struggling,” Mourinho said. “It’s the month of Ramadan, and that’s what affected his performance.” Italian Muslims were outraged, and their anger grew when the owner of another Italian team, Claudio Lotito, said he simply wouldn’t sign players who observe Ramadan. The flap prompted medical experts from FIFA, the world soccer body, to announce that “no serious scientific study” had ever shown a decrease in player performance due to Ramadan fasting.

Gdansk, Poland

Exchanging barbs over WWII: Russians and Poles traded insults this week over their respective roles in World War II, as Poland marked the 70th anniversary of the war’s outbreak. Polish officials and historians said the Soviets, who occupied half of Poland, were just as oppressive and murderous as the Nazis. The Russians said Poland cooperated with the Nazis before the war and made active efforts to destabilize the Soviet Union. “Without a doubt, a portion of the blame for unleashing the Second World War lies with Poland,” said Russian intelligence official Lev F. Sotskov. But Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, in Gdansk to attend the memorial ceremonies, was more conciliatory. “Russia has always respected the bravery and heroism of the Polish people, soldiers, and officers, who stood up first against Nazism in 1939,” Putin said.