Fed chief Yellen treated for 'dehydration'

[WASHINGTON] US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen was treated for dehydration at the end of a lengthy speech on Thursday, but was later able to resume her normal schedule, a bank spokesman said.

Ms Yellen, 69, coughed and stopped herself at times during the policy speech on inflation and monetary policy, at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

"Chair Yellen felt dehydrated at the end of a long speech under bright lights," said a spokesperson for the US central bank.

"As a precaution, she was seen by EMT staff on-site at U-Mass Amherst. She felt fine afterward and has continued with her schedule Thursday evening." Ms Yellen told the gathering that the US economy is generally "solid" and that she expects the US central bank to increase interest rates in 2015.

AFP