U.S. Fed chair says gradual rate hikes, balance-sheet reduction to continue

U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen attends a hearing before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee in Washington D.C., the United States, on July 12, 2017. Yellen said Wednesday that the central bank will continue to raise interest rates gradually and shrink its balance sheet this year, while monitoring inflation closely. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)