Hello and welcome to the Intelligence on Economist Radio. I'm your host, Jason Palmer. Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

A close-run election, widespread claims of vote rigging, protests and court challenges.

Historically, tales of disputed polls in Africa often end with strongman incumbents staying in power.

In Malawi, though, a more hopeful story is playing out.

And there seems to be an endless supply of writers wanting to dish the dirt on President Donald

Trump, or to lavish praise on him. All those books are finding plenty of readers, but the

sales and reviews differ depending on their political bent.

First up, though.

Today, Hong Kong woke up to life under a sweeping new national security law.

It was passed yesterday by mainland China,

which released the text only after rubber stamping the new rules.

Despite the new threat of a potential life sentence in jail,

demonstrators gathered to protest against the legislation,

although not nearly as many as hit the streets last year.

Probably in the future, we may never see a million people on the street again,

not because we are satisfied with the government,

but just because we are now living in fear.

Police fired tear gas on a group that had gathered,

and dozens were arrested.

It's no coincidence that the law went into effect

on the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover

from Britain to China in 1997.

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