BRUSSELS: Eurozone annual inflation shot up to 2.4 percent in January, the EU warned Monday, fuelling household fears of an earlier rise in interest rates than anticipated, though experts insisted they see no need. The European Union Eurostat agency said the flash-estimate climb, from 2.2 percent in December, was almost certain to be confirmed in official figures next month. The ECB's core target for economic management, inflation close to but not above 2.0 percent, has now been breached for the second successive month. – Agence France
