The world in brief | The Economist

Jerome Powell, chairman of the Federal Reserve, suggested that the central bank will soon cut interest rates. In a keenly awaited speech at the meeting of central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, he said that “time has come for policy to adjust”. The inflation rate is close to the Fed’s 2% target. Meanwhile, data suggest that America’s economy is slowing; unemployment jumped to 4.3% in July. The Fed’s next monetary-policy meeting is in September.

Robert F. Kennedy junior joined Donald Trump on stage at a rally in Arizona after dropping his independent presidential campaign and endorsing Mr Trump. “Don’t you want a president that’s going to make America healthy again?” said Mr Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist. His candidacy “inspired millions and millions of Americans”, claimed Mr Trump. Mr Kennedy’s withdrawal is unlikely to affect America’s presidential race dramatically.