ECB leaves rates unchanged amidst heightened geopolitical tensions

"The war in the Middle East has made the outlook significantly more uncertain, creating upside risks for inflation and downside risks for economic growth," said the ECB in a press release. FRANKFURT, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday kept key interest rates unchanged as heightened geopolitical tensions weigh on the outlook of inflation and economy in the euro area.