World news in brief

60 civilians killed in US airstrikes in Syria

Damascus, August 1 (IANS): At least 60 civilians were killed in US-led airstrikes in Syria’s eastern province of Deir al-Zour on Tuesday, the media reported. The US-led “aggression” on several villages and towns in Deir al-Zour also left tens of others injured, Xinhua news agency reported. The airstrikes came less than two days after the US coalition on Sunday struck a hospital and a club in Bukamal city of Deir al-Zour countryside, killing six civilians and wounding tens of others. The anti-terror coalition has been striking the Islamic State group’s positions in northern Syria since 2014. Syrian Foreign Ministry called on the UN Security Council to dissolve the US-led coalition, saying it was formed without any request by Damascus.

‘South Africa has highest HIV prevalence rate’

Cape Town, August 1 (IANS): The estimated overall HIV prevalence rate is approximately 12.6 per cent among the South African population, the highest prevalence in the world, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has said. The total number of people living with HIV is estimated at approximately 7.06 million in 2017, Stats SA said on Monday in its mid-year population estimates for 2017, Xinhua news agency reported. For adults aged 15-49 years, an estimated 18.0 percent of the population is HIV positive, according to Stats SA. South Africa also has the world’s biggest HIV treatment program covering over 3.4 million people. The expansion of health programs related to HIV has contributed to a decline in deaths due to communicable diseases such as HIV and TB, Statis SA said. Focus now lies on programs to combat the increase in deaths due to non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, etc., particularly among those aged 65 and older, the agency said. To curb HIV prevalence, the government has launched the 90-90-90 plan. Under the plan, 90 per cent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status by 2020. The same year, 90 per cent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy. The government also intend to ensure that 90 per cent of all HIV positive people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression. The government believes the new measure will stop the transmission of HIV and also lengthen the life expectancy to 70 by 2030. Life expectancy at birth for 2017 is estimated at 61.2 years for males and 66.7 years for females, according to Statis SA. South Africa population has reached 56. 52 million for 2017, the agency said.

486 people appear in court over Turkey coup plot

Ankara, August 1 (IANS): A total of 486 people accused of being involved in Turkey’s failed coup d’état last July appeared in a court here where their trial began on Tuesday. The prosecution accused the defendants of murder, violation of the constitution and attempt to assassinate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reports Efe news. The defendants include 461 people under pre-trial detention and 18 released on parole awaiting trial, while seven are fugitives. Among those to be tried in absentia is Islamist preacher Fethullah Gulen, exiled in the US and whom Turkey accuses of orchestrating the failed coup. Turkish authorities are searching for Adil Oksuz, who is accused of coordinating the coup with rebels. Oksuz was arrested after the failed coup but was released shortly thereafter. The judicial hearings are expected to be extended until August 29. On July 15, 2016, Turkish military units took to the streets and controlled strategic points of the country, leaving a total of 248 people killed in clashes. Since then, tens of thousands of people with suspected links to Gulen have been either detained or dismissed from their jobs, including members from the armed forces, police and judiciary, media and professors.