MOndAY 03 august, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard Truce again Trump stops Iran strikes for a deal President Donald Trump has said that the US and Israel have agreed to hold off on new strikes on Iran, provided a deal to end the conflict is reached rapidly Page 9 Rescue workers evacuating people from their flooded homes in Kozhikode in Kerala. The state faced flash floods after heavy rains | VINCENT PULICKAL Death toll 11 in Kerala rains A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS l New Delhi l J8.00 Govt launches 100-week drive against drugs PM exhorts youth, Gen Z to take pledge against drug abuse for Viksit Bharat Raje s h ku m a r thaku r @ New Delhi Bad air causes decay at Humayun’s Tomb E x p r e s s N e w s Se r vice @ New Delhi A black crust formed on the sandstone of Humayun’s Tomb due to years of exposure to air pollution is accelerating the deterioration of the site, a joint study of IITRoorkee and IIT-Kanpur has found. Published in the “International Journal of Architectural Heritage”, the study examined black crust samples collected from different parts of the Humayun’s Tomb using laboratory techniques to analyse their chemical composition, mineral content and microscopic structure. The researchers found that the black crust is mainly made up of gypsum, a mineral formed when sulphur dioxide in polluted air reacts with calcium-rich dust and moisture. The gypsum layer traps soot, dust and tiny metal particles from vehicle emissions, construction activities, road dust, biomass burning and industrial pollution, gradually forming a dark coating on the sandstone, it mentioned. The researchers said the findings provide scientific evidence linking air pollution to the deterioration of Humayun’s Tomb and could help authorities plan conservation measures. The study recommended periodic removal of the black crust using scientifically tested conservation methods, continuous monitoring of pollution around the monument and evaluation of protective coatings. PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked the country’s youth to take a pledge against substance abuse, saying drugs can give them a “high” for some time but would make their entire career and personal life “low”. Launching the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’, a 100-week campaign against drugs, Modi said youngsters must be protected from the grip of addiction as the nation marches towards the goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. “When the country has set the goal of building a developed India, it is essential that the youth stay away from harmful addictions to remain physically and mentally healthy and full of selfconfidence,” he said. Speaking after vir tually launching the nationwide campaign, the PM called for open communication within families to prevent young members from falling into the vicious cycle of addiction, and assured the youth that the government stands firmly with them in this battle. He highlighted unprecedented nationwide crackdowns, massive seizures of narcotics worth thousands of crores, and a sharp rise in arrests of drug dealers and smugglers. He also urged families to seek timely medical help without worrying about stigma and highlighted the role of societal support, yoga, meditation and rehabilitation centres. “If a youth has mistakenly fallen into addiction, it absolutely does not mean that all their paths are permanently closed,” Modi One can get rid of substance abuse with the support of society, yoga and meditation... It’s essential youth stay away from harmful addictions Prime Minister Narendra Modi Massive crackdown against drug mafia While launching the campaign, the PM said strict action is being taken against drug traffickers. “Arrests have gone up several times, and drugs worth thousands of crores of rupees have been seized” said. He added that those who overcome addiction are “real warriors” whose courage defines them. He appealed to college and university professors to discuss perils of drug abuse alongside regular coursework and help build a strong anti-addiction movement on campuses. Outlining the campaign’s roadmap, Modi said every Sunday for the next 100 weeks would feature dedicated activities centred on art, culture, sports and meditation. “The coming 100 Sundays will absolutely become 100 strong steps in the direction of a completely drug-free India,” PM Modi said. l PAGES 12 Kerala had a respite from heavy rain for most of Sunday, but the impact of the downpour witnessed over the past two days continued to be felt. Floodwaters are yet to recede completely in several parts of the southern state. As many as 11 people have lost their lives so far | P5 road to justice Long after probe, trial yet to start in 158 exam fraud cases Muke s h Ranjan @ New Delhi At least 158 cases linked to alleged irregularities in recruitment and entrance examinations are awaiting trial in various courts despite the completion of the CBI probe, sources said, adding that some of the cases have been pending for more than two decades. The CBI has now decided to approach high courts, requesting that these long-pending cases be shifted to the new Special Fast-Track Courts being established under the newly passed anti-paper leak law. Delhi accounts for nearly 25 such cases, some dating back to 2000, in which investigations have been completed, but trials are yet to begin. These include alleged irregularities in the AIIMS PG entrance examination (2010-11), the Delhi University Medical and Dental Entrance Examination (2011), the Common Admission Test (CAT) (2004), the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) recruitment (2013), and teachers’ recruitment examinations. Bihar has five pending cases, including three linked to the alleged NEET-UG 2024 paper leak, 25 cases awaiting trial in Delhi. These include the AIIMS PG recruitment examination of 201011 and Delhi University Medical and Dental Entrance of 2011 Push for speedy trial Sources said the Central Bureau of Investigation has decided to convey to the high courts that it will provide dedicated special prosecutors to conduct these trials and make all possible resources available so that the trial proceedings are concluded at the earliest possible besides two cases relating to the Pre-Medical Test (PMT) examinations of 2003 and 2011, sources said. Other states with significant pendency include Jharkhand and Karnataka with five cases each, Maharashtra with three, including two related to the alleged NEET-UG 2024 paper leak, Rajasthan with eight, Tamil Nadu with 14 and Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal with 10 cases each. Sources said long delays severely erode the prospect of successful prosecution. As years pass, witnesses become elderly or unavailable, memories fade, identification of the accused becomes increasingly difficult, and testimonies often change, they said. Frequent transfers of investigating offic- Quick commerce partners face rain dilemma Monsoon showers drive up demand for home deliveries. It means that Delhi’s gig workers have to hit flooded streets and battle traffic woes more often, which gives them extra income but exacts a cost | P4 Prison death victims’ kin to get up to `7.5 lakh A nup V e r m a @ New Delhi The Delhi government has notified a compensation scheme for the next of kin or legal heirs of prisoners who suffer an unnatural death while in custody in Delhi prisons. Under the scheme, compensation ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹7.5 lakh will be provided depending on the circumstances of each case. A compensation of ₹7.5 lakh will be paid to the family of a deceased prisoner in cases where death occurs due to clashes between inmates or alleged torture or assault by prison personnel. A compensation of ₹5 lakh has been prescribed in cases involving negligence by prison authorities or staff, negligence by medical or paramedical personnel or suicide by a prisoner. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the notification makes it clear that no compensation will be payable in cases of natural death or death caused by illness. The notice states that deaths occurring while escaping from prison or from lawful custody as well as , deaths caused by disasters or calamities, will not be covered under the scheme. Under the scheme, the concerned jail superintendent will be required to submit the magisterial inquiry report, post-mortem report, final cause of death, the prisoner’s medical history and details of the treatment provided before death to the Director ers, prosecutors and even presiding judges further complicate proceedings, raising the risk that some of the country’s examination fraud prosecutions could collapse. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026, recently passed by Parliament, provides for every state and Union Territory to designate a sessions court as a Special Fast-Track Court. These fast-track courts will hear cases day-to-day without unnecessary breaks, the trial will be completed within three months of charge sheet filing, and the cases already pending in other courts will be transferred to these new courts, which must be completed within three months of transfer. Express Read 40 intel units for Bangladesh border General (Prisons), Delhi, in every case. Gupta said that any unnatural death in custody is an extremely serious matter, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure transparency, accountability and due process in such cases. She added that the government’s objective is to strengthen transparency, sensitivity, and accountability in prison administration while ensuring justice in every case in accordance with the law. Gen Z Angst in J’khand Students gather during a protest over alleged irregularities in the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission and other examinations in Ranchi on Sunday. The protesters demanded a CBI probe and reforms in the recruitment agencies | PTI The Centre is set to boost its intelligence network along the India-Bangladesh border by creating nearly 40 permanent Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau units across border districts in West Bengal. The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought around 50 acres of land from the state government for the project, sources in the Union ministry said. P7 commonwealth games Over to Amdavad after grand show in Glasgow Churma, kheer and gold in Bhiwani e x p r e s s ne w s s e r vice Fourth place for India OVER the last 10 months, Ahmedabad has quietly been witness to a lot of sporting complexes come up. It has also hosted a wide variety of international events to show the sporting world that its doors are open. Sometime between now and 2030, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will announce the host city for the 2036 Games. But in 2030, Amdavad—to go by the name on the bid document—will be decked up as it welcomes the athletes and other non-playing staff from over 70 countries and territories for the next edition of the Commonwealth Games. For the past 10 months, (From L) CS CEO Katie Sadleir, Glasgow 2026 CEO Phil Batty, CS president Donald Rukare, Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi & Union sports secy Hari Ranjan Rao | PTI the city has been waiting. That wait ended on Sunday night as the Closing Ceremony saw Glasgow handing over the Commonwealth Games flag and host baton to India. Various dignitaries including Gujarat’s deputy chief minister, Harsh Sanghavi, were in Scotland. There was also a press conference with Sanghavi and other Commonwealth Sport (CS) officials on Sunday . If the 22nd edition of the Games in Glasgow was truncated, the 23rd edition could possibly be its biggest and H A R P R E E T B A J W A @ Chandigarh Despite many key sports like wrestling & shooting missing, the athletes beat expectations as India finished fourth with 39 medals (13 gold, 17 silver, nine bronze). Of the 13, women won eight gold medals, a praiseworthy achievement @ Chennai For the women athletes of Haryana, the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow will be forever etched in their memories after winning a haul of medals in boxing, discus throw and javelin. The women pugilists from Bhiwani—known as “India’s Cuba” for its rich boxing heritage—won four gold medals, thus enhancing the town’s reputation as a boxing powerhouse. The five women boxers Preeti Pawar (54 kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57 kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (51 kg) and Priya Ghanghas (60 kg) collectively won four gold medals on Saturday . Among the other star performers from the town was See- grandest in terms of scale, number of athletes and ambition. The staging of the Games will be seen as a spectacle, further proof that India is capable of putting together a grand showpiece. And with the city’s Olympic-sized plans, governments at all levels as well as bureaucrats will want to leave no stone unturned to ensure there are no scandals or controversies like 2010. Preeti Pawar ma Kaliraman, who, while pursuing her PhD, won a bronze medal in discus throw. Her personal coach is her husband Ravinder, who is a former discus thrower, but his career was cut short due to an injury . The performance of Preeti, a Naib Subedar in the army from Badesra village, Bhiwani, delivered a dominant 5-0 victory over Scarlett Delgado of Canada in the final. Her father Sombir said that Preeti had promised the family that she would return with a medal. “Her mother will welcome her home with ‘churma’ and ‘kheer’,” he said. Another Naib Subedar, Jaismine Lambor, won gold by defeating Michaela Walsh of Northern Ireland. She had previously won bronze at the last Commonwealth Games. Bhiwani Boxing Club president Kamal Singh Pradhan said that women boxers had outperformed their male counterparts this time, and it is a proud moment to watch girls from the state dominate the international boxing arena.