RPP-NEPAL STRIKE Kathmandu, 18 May: RPP-Nepal has called a strike Friday one day after Cheetris, Brahmins, Dasnmi and other groups officially marginalized after 2000 were recognized as indigenous groups previously listed as ‘others’. Attempts were made to create an impression Cheetris and Brahmins weren’t of Nepali origin by some groups. Party workers fanned out on the streets of the capital since Friday morning asking vehicles to stay off the street and close down the market. The party opposes ethnic provinces. nnnn. THREE POLICEMEN HELD WITH BROWN SUGAR Kathmandu, 18 May: Three policemen were arrested last week with 66 grams brown sugar. Senior constable Dhanraj BK posted at National Police Training Institute, Majarajgunj and constables Ramesh Buda and Som Tamang were arrested. Nnnn $8.3 MILLION GEF CONTRIBUTION Kathmandu, 18 May: Global Environment Facility (GEF) is providing $ 8.3 million to implement projects to conserve bio-diversity and reduce adverse impact of climate change, an announcement said. The money was committed at a meeting in Maldives. thus month. Nnnn MAJ.GEN. DAMAN BAHADUR GHALE RETIRED THURSDAY Kathmandu, 18 May: Maj. Gen Daman Bahadur Ghale, 57, brother-in- law of Army Chief Gen. Chatraman Singh Gurung, retired Thursday despite the utmost effort of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and the chief to promote him to lieutenant general, Nagarik reports. Brigadier generals Baldev Raj Mahat and Purna Chandra Thapa have been promoted promoted major generals Thursday. Nnnn KARATE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Kathmandu, 18 May: Nepal Shotokan Karate Association (JNSKA) is organizing the 6th International Karate Championship 2012 in the capital 29, 30 May.. Altogether 1,000 players from Nepal, Japan, Ghana UAE, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are participating in 29 events. Technical and referee seminars are being held for four days from 31 May. nnnn NEPAL HOSTING FOOTBALL FESTIVAL Kathmandu, 18 May: ANFA, the apex football governing body, is hosting the AFC U-14 Festival Football 2013 for the second time. ANFA President Ganesh Thapa made the announcement Thursday. The first fortnight long edition is currently being held with participation of teams from India, Bangladesh, Sr Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal. nnnn