Annual inflation in the euro zone rose to 2.6 percent in October, due to higher fuel and food prices across the 13 countries that use the currency, the EU statistics agency said Thursday. The price index rose from 2.1 percent in September, and marks a two-year high despite the strong euro currency which continues to offer European industry and consumers some shelter from high global energy prices. This is the highest inflation rate since September 2005 and Eurostat said the inflation hike was mostly due to the increased cost of transport and food, notably milk, cheese, eggs, breads and cereals, the Associated Press reported.
