US inflation rises ahead of key interest rate decision

US inflation rose to 2.9% in August, the fastest rate this year, ahead of a key Federal Reserve meeting deciding on interest rates. The increase was driven by higher prices for cars, household items, and groceries like tomatoes and beef. Despite this, the Fed is expected to cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point next week, with inflation and job market weaknesses informing their decision-making. President Trump's policies, including tariffs, are contributing to inflation, though he dismisses concerns about price hikes or economic impact.