Miami

Foreign ministers of the Group of 20 economies opened a two-day meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday 30 Oct, hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is attending despite international sanctions, and several European officials objected to appearing with him, prompting the cancellation of a traditional group photo. Rubio urged members to cooperate against threats to energy and food supply and freedom of navigation. Global energy prices have risen sharply since the US and Israel struck Iran in February. Few breakthroughs are expected, and the United States plans to publish a chair summary instead of a final declaration.

A US federal judge in Manhattan sentenced brothers Tal, Oren and Alon Alexander to 30 years in prison each on Tuesday, 27 Oct, for sex trafficking and rape. Prosecutors had sought life sentences. The brothers, former luxury real-estate brokers, were convicted in March after a trial of several weeks. Prosecutors said more than 70 women reported being assaulted over at least 14 years. Twelve victims addressed the court before sentencing. Each brother must also pay at least $300,000 in fines, and Oren must pay a further $50,000 for producing child sexual abuse material.

Flávio Bolsonaro, a 45-year-old senator, arrived in Miami on 29 Oct after leaving Brazil via Argentina and Ecuador, days after losing the 25 Oct presidential runoff to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He had posted on social media calling himself the true president of Brazil, then changed the wording to leader. Brazilian media and politicians across the spectrum criticised the claim, and a São Paulo governor distanced himself from him. A U.S. official said the Trump administration has no current plans to endorse the claim. He is staying in Florida under temporary immigration permission.