Overview

• Army chief Gen. Ashok Raj Sigdel opened discussions with protest representatives and other figures, with talks continuing Thursday.
• Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah endorsed Karki to lead an interim cabinet tasked with preparing new elections, while Karki has said the Parliament remains.
• Youth-led unrest over social media blocks and corruption left at least 19 people dead and hundreds injured after a police crackdown.
• Soldiers enforced a largely empty capital under a strict curfew that was briefly lifted Thursday morning so residents could obtain essential supplies.
• Authorities reported about 30 arrests, three police officers killed, and more than 13,500 inmates escaping from prisons nationwide during the riots.