Inflation across the euro zone accelerated to 2.6 per cent year-on-year in March, the EU said yesterday as fears mount that rising prices could put a brake on economic growth.

Up from 2.4 per cent in February, according to European Union data agency Eurostat, the rate is now significantly above the ECB’s hopes for medium-term inflation at below 2 per cent across the 17-nation currency area. – (Reuters)