Kavanaugh probe ends, Nobel chemistry prize, danger of Kim Kardashian

The FBI wraps up its investigation into Brett Kavanaugh. The bureau is expected to finish its probe into allegations of sexual-misconduct against the Supreme Court nominee as early as today. The final report will be available to senators only. [Quartz Daily Brief]( Sponsored by Good morning, Quartz readers! What to watch for today The FBI wraps up its investigation into Brett Kavanaugh. The bureau is expected to finish its probe into allegations of sexual-misconduct against the Supreme Court nominee as early as today. The final report will be [available to senators only](. Italy’s government discusses (another) new budget. A previous [spending plan]( to increase the deficit for the next three years broke EU rules, putting the populist coalition on a collision course with Brussels and sparking a[selloff in Italian bonds](. Italian markets [rebounded]( on reports that Rome might concede to the rules. Angela Merkel visits Israel to talk Iran. The two-day trip is the German chancellor’s first visit to the country in more than four years. She will likely be pressed on Berlin’s continued support for the [Iran nuclear deal]( and its growing trade with Tehran. She will also receive an [honorary degree]( from the University of Haifa tomorrow. The Nobel Prize in chemistry is announced. The winner or winners will be [unveiled at 11:45am local time]( in Sweden. Sponsor content by Bank of America Merrill Lynch Today’s innovations are shaping tomorrow’s cities. To solve emerging population and climate challenges, cities are applying groundbreaking technologies to traditional industries: Smart water systems will lead to more efficient urban farms, while AI advances are reinventing waste management. [Learn more ways the old is merging with the new](. While you were sleeping Ricin-laced mail was sent to the White House and the Pentagon. Authorities intercepted mail [addressed to Donald Trump]( defense secretary [James Mattis]( and the navy’s top officer John Richardson. Even trace amounts of ricin can cause nausea, internal bleeding, and organ failure. The US said it would offer its cyber capabilities to NATO. The [planned announcement]( comes amid growing worries about Russia’s hacking exploits. Britain has led a push to heighten computer defenses for the 29-nation alliance, which has recognized cyber as a domain of warfare since 2014. Aston Martin was valued at £4.3 billion ($5.6 billion). The maker of James Bond’s most famous cars [listed]( (paywall) on the London Stock Exchange following its IPO. Aston had previously hoped for a [£5 billion price tag]( and its shares fell in early trading. The carmaker has been bankrupt seven times in its 105-year history. Trump mocked Christine Blasey Ford at a campaign rally. The president [questioned Ford’s allegations]( against Brett Kavanaugh, imitating her responding to questions at last week’s Senate hearing. Separately, Trump [told reporters]( that it’s a “very scary time for young men in America,” who could be considered guilty until proven innocent. Robert Mueller’s investigation lost two attorneys. The [prosecutors are leaving]( (paywall) the special counsel’s Russia probe to go back to their jobs at the Department of Justice. The team is downsizing after Paul Manafort’s guilty plea avoided a second trial. Quartz Obsession interlude Allison Schrager on the secret behind the Ivy League’s high endowment returns: “In 1987, most of Yale’s portfolio—90%—was allocated to marketable American securities, like public stocks, bonds, and cash. Today only 10% of its endowment is invested in these kinds of assets. The rest is in hedge funds, private equity, foreign stocks, and real estate.” [Read more here](. Matters of debate It’s fine to be just so-so at your hobbies. People are so [afraid of being mediocre]( (paywall) it’s keeping them from pursuing leisure altogether. DNA testing is a gateway to eugenics. More genetic data could result in parents choosing embryos for athletic abilities or [certain physical traits]( (paywall). Cushy office perks are a trap. Catered dinners and unlimited-vacation policies designed to [promote work-life balance]( often have the opposite effect. Surprising discoveries Kim Kardashian is the most dangerous celebrity to search for. Cyber criminals are using [interest in her]( to trick visitors to click on sites that install malware or steal personal information. Lady Gaga fans are pretending to be middle-aged white women online. They’re creating fake accounts to trash the movie Venom because it shares the [same premiere date]( as her upcoming film A Star Is Born. Wikipedia rejected an entry on a new Nobel laureate because she wasn’t famous enough. Prior to winning the prize, physicist Donna Strickland’s only mention on the site was in an article about [her male co-inventor](. Emperor Akihito of Japan is a published expert on marine biology. He has authored 30 papers on fish and maintains a staff of [private researchers]( at his palace. Kuwait banned The Little Mermaid. Government censors decided Disney’s Ariel and Michelangelo’s David [were both too revealing]( (paywall). Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, royal fish research, and seashell bras to hi@qz.com. You can follow us [on Twitter]( for updates throughout the day or download our [apps for iPhone]( and [Android](. Today’s Daily Brief was written by John Detrixhe and edited by Eshe Nelson. Enjoying the Daily Brief? Forward it to a friend! They can [click here to sign up.]( If you click a link to an e-commerce site and make a purchase, we may receive a small cut of the revenue, which helps support our ambitious journalism. 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