The EFF's moral decline, Bezos-gate has AMI on defence

[Click here for the web version of this email]( [FIRST THING With John Stupart]( Monday, 11 February 2019 “Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears.” Edgar Allan Poe Story of the Day [EFF in the age of Ramaphosa — Weaker yet more Vicious]( By Richard Poplak Liberals, centrists, ANC apparatchiks and foreign investors treated President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address like it was a religious epiphany. If you happen to be a progressive or even gently left of centre, the speech was far more profane. For the Economic Freedom Fighters, it was an occasion to whip the President on ideology. Instead, they slapped a parliamentary bouncer and invented an assassination plot. Two years ago, the red berets held all the moral authority. Now they’re behaving like clowns. [Kulula - Get corporate travel benefits that won't give you a pain in the neck]( WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING [Lawyer](s[for Pecker, AMI hit back]( The National Enquirer's lawyer has defended its attempts to interact with Jeff Bezos. David Pecker's Enquirer did not engage in blackmail, extortion or any other politically-motivated action against the Amazon head stemming from Donald Trump or Saudi Arabia. Bezos, who owns the Washington Post in addition to his general business empire, would probably disagree with this take. [Zimbabwe's teachers to return to work]( A week-long pay-related strike will end today for Zimbabwean teachers. The Zimbabwe Teachers Association and Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe did not explain why the strike had ended or whether any resolution had been met. Soldiers had visited local schools demanding the names of striking teachers last week. [Klobuchar joins 2020 presidential hopefuls]( Democratic US Senator Amy Klobuchar has joined the growing crowd for the 2020 presidential candidacy within her party. Vowing to reverse much of Donald Trump's policy ambitions, Klobuchar is running on a platform of healing the Democratic divisions while defeating the Republicans. Lofy aims when one considers the crowd of Democrats joining her along for the 2020 bid. [Post-Brexit trade deal signed with Switzerland]( When it comes to Brexit, good news is in small supply these days. However, the UK has happily managed to reach a trade continuity agreement with Switzerland. The deal staves off any chance of additional tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. One country down, 26 to go. [Kulula - Get corporate travel benefits that won't give you a pain in the neck]( Picture of the Day By EPA/STR A picture issued as a part of a photo set shows the Eastern Express train on its way to the city of Kars, Turkey, 8 February 2019. [Watch This Space]( We’ve been watching this space for nearly 10 years. With an editorial team of 35 people and a network of hundreds of contributors Daily Maverick and Scorpio shine a light into the darkest corners for the benefit of the people. Maverick Insiders help make this possible. [Find out how you can help here.]( [Do you want to be the voice of Daily Maverick?]( Chronicle is looking to hire a [full-time podcast]([host and producer]( for an evergreen news podcast, served up daily by your favourite news site. In Numbers $10-million The amount that Bill and Melinda Gates intend to leave to each of their three children. The rest of the Gates fortune will be given to charity. Facts of the Day Today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Democratic vice presidential candidate Thomas Eagleton was forced to drop out of the 1972 election because of the "scandal" that he was taking medication for chronic depression. 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