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Novartis hit by China, emerging market slowdown: CEO on CNBC

Drugmaker Novartis has been hit by a slowdown in emerging markets, particularly in China, where previously double-digit growth has decelerated to mid-single digits, Chief Executive Joe Jimenez said in an interview with CNBC on Friday. Jimenez' comments echoed concerns expressed on Thursday by U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, who said the outlook in emerging markets including China have led to volatility. Despite the increasing risks, Jimenez said the Swiss company was not pulling back from emerging markets, rather relying on the strength of generics in China to drive business growth.

Fears over abandoned Ebola orphans allayed: UNICEF

Almost every child who has lost parents to Ebola is being cared for in their community, UNICEF said on Friday — allaying fears that thousands would be shunned by relatives and neighbours. “Since overcoming their initial fears and misconceptions about Ebola, families have been showing incredible support, providing care and protection for children whose parents have died,” UNICEF regional director Manuel Fontaine said in a statement. UNICEF said the outlook was particularly good in Guinea, where all 773 children who lost both parents had been placed with their extended families. The outbreak has claimed almost 9,000 lives in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, leaving a similar number of children with just a single parent and some 3,600 orphaned.