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Kyle Rittenhouse, Europe’s anti-lockdown protests and the disappearance of Peng Shuai

Rittenhouse’s acquittal is met with outrage in the US, while Covid restrictions spark violent protests across Europe.

Kyle Rittenhouse has been acquitted after fatally shooting two men and wounding another during a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin last year. Megan Gibson in London and Ido Vock in Berlin are joined by Sarah Manavis in London to discuss what the case means for questions of racial justice and for firearms rights.

Meanwhile, new restrictions to curb surging Covid-19 cases across Europe have led to violent protests. With Austria making vaccinations mandatory and other EU countries set to follow suit, the team examine what might be in store for Europe this winter.

Then in You Ask Us, a listener asks if China underestimated the reaction to Peng Shuai’s disappearance.

If you have a You Ask Us question for the international team, email podcasts@newstatesman.co.uk

Further reading:

Jeremy Cliffe on the fourth Covid wave crashing over Europe

Sarah Manavis on the disappearance of Peng Shuai

Jessie Lau on why tennis star Peng Shuai’s #MeToo allegation is such a threat to China’s leaders

Give a gift subscription to the New Statesman this Christmas from just £49

Louise Perry on why the Kyle Rittenhouse case shows terrible things happen when the state is absent

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