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President Donald Trump indirectly blamed a top Democrat for the deadliest terror attack in New York City since 2001, criticizing Sen. Chuck Schumer for supporting a visa program that he said was used by the man accused of killing eight people in a truck attack in downtown Manhattan. “The terrorist came into our country through what is called the ‘Diversity Visa Lottery Program,' a Chuck Schumer beauty,” Trump tweeted. The Immigration Act of 1990, passed with bipartisan support, was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. Schumer hit back on the Senate floor: “President Trump, instead of politicizing and dividing America, which he always seems to do at times of national tragedy, should be bringing us together.” — Siraj Datoo
Lies, damned lies and statistics. Seven months have passed since Britain officially triggered the two-year countdown to Brexit, but it's still unclear what the future may look like for the U.K. That hasn't stopped “facts” being bandied about. Here's a guide to the truth about the 10 biggest Brexit myths of the moment. Meanwhile, Britain's Trade Secretary Liam Fox blamed the other 27 EU countries for the slow progress of talks.
Winning streak. The insurance business has been good to Warren Buffett. The carriers at his Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate have provided billions of dollars to invest for decades, turning an underwriting profit every year since 2002. But things could turn sour soon. Berkshire on Friday is likely to report big claims costs during the third quarter at its insurance subsidiaries, thanks to natural disasters like Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Any red ink, plus an underwriting loss in the first half, could mean the end of a good run for the billionaire and his shareholders.
Going up. The Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates for the first time in more than 10 years on Thursday. While inflation is at its fastest pace in five years, not everyone is so sure about the move. Some economists and other groups, such as the British Chambers of Commerce, have urged caution. Here's why a rate rise could spook Britain's economy.
Return to normal. Oil majors are getting back to life-as-usual after surviving a price slump that shook the foundations of the industry. On Tuesday, BP said it would buy back shares for the first time in three years—the boldest signal yet that the worst of the downturn is over. BP shares surged to the highest level since 2014, when oil prices collapsed, joining its closest peer Royal Dutch Shell. Brent crude rose above $60 a barrel last week for the first time since July 2015.
Centennial. Protests over a 100-year-old letter are threatening to disrupt Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to London this week. He'll travel to the U.K. capital to mark the Balfour Declaration, a 1917 letter from Britain's foreign secretary that was the first explicit endorsement of Zionist goals by a world power. Palestinians say it paved the way to their displacement, and protests are planned. U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May will join the commemoration, but Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has declined to partake in events.
Exclusivity. You, too, can dine like the rich and famous, in London's private dining rooms—the perfect place to celebrate a milestone birthday or a closed deal. And they're brisk business for restaurants, which sometimes come with minimum spending requirements that can run above £1,000 ($1,320) for a dinner party. In one restaurant, King Edward VII regularly took his mistress Lillie Langtry. Long before the paparazzi took to gathering outside celebrity restaurants, Rules hid the stairs to the upstairs room behind a specially installed curtain to shield pair from diners's eyes. Here are the 17 best secluded, exclusive rooms, where celebrities and bankers go to enjoy food, drinks and privacy.
Compiled by Leila Taha and Siraj Datoo
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Leila Taha at ltaha@bloomberg.net, Siraj Datoo Lisa Fleisher
©2017 Bloomberg L.P.
With assistance from Editorial Board
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