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BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - Higher prices for fuel, heating, dairy products and bread pushed inflation in the euro currency zone to 3.3 percent in February, the highest level since the euro currency was launched in 200, the Europoean Union said Friday.
Soaring inflation puts pressure on the European Central Bank and finance ministers of the 15 nations that use the euro to curb rising costs for basic goods.
Worried about tight credit conditions, the ECB has so far held off raising interest rates that would help cool inflation — now well above its recommended guideline of just under 2 percent.
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