The European Central Bank raised interest rates sharply on Thursday as policymakers battle to bring down record high inflation driven by soaring energy prices, but it warned of an economic slowdown ahead.The bank increased its three key rates by three-quarters of a percentage point, the biggest rise since 1999, in the very early days of the eurozone. Around the world, central banks have been pushing rates higher in larger increments to send strong signals to consumers and businesses that they will bring inflation back to their targets.Policymakers in Europe are facing a particularly difficult economic challenge, fighting high prices in th …
