Punjab VIPs subletting their security guards
Chandigarh, May 18
Several protected persons in Punjab have got more security guards allocated to them than they are actually eligible for. Many of them have even sublet these security men to industrialists and real-estate developers. According to an ongoing reassessment of the threat perception to the protected persons in the state, several politicians and police officers have been found to have sublet their security guards to businessmen.

Editorial: Cutting VIP security

Cracks in J&K coalition
Cong, NC take turns to run down each other
Jammu, May 18
All is not well in the National Conference (NC) and the Congress alliance in Jammu and Kashmir. Leaders of both parties are back to attacking each other after a “ceasefire”. Their weapon of choice: pinpointing “bungling” in departments held by the coalition partner. The National Conference and Congress have been running a coalition government in the state since January 5, 2009.

US imposes sanctions on 2 Taliban, Haqqani leaders 
Washington, May 18 
The US has slapped sanctions on two individuals linked with the Taliban and the Haqqani network based along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, barring American citizens from any dealings with them. Bakht Gul, a Haqqani Network communications official, has been designated for acting for or on behalf of Badruddin Haqqani. (Details on World page)

Wankhede brawl
MCA imposes 5-yr ban on SRK
IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla says BCCI to take a final call
Mumbai, May 18
Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was today banned by Mumbai Cricket Association for five years from entering the Wankhede Stadium for misbehaving with its officials in an IPL match here.