Nicaraguan protesters refuse to back down, as Ortega talks continue

A demonstrator holds up a Nicaraguan national flag during a protest against Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's government in Managua, Nicaragua May 17, 2018. REUTERS/Oswaldo Rivas

MANAGUA (Reuters) - Nicaraguan officials began a second day of talks with students and business leaders on Friday to try to resolve weeks of tension with increasingly unpopular President Daniel Ortega that has sparked nationwide clashes.

At least 49 people have been killed, mostly students, in demonstrations that began late last month over discontent with a new law that raised worker and employer social security contributions while cutting benefits.