The Georgian Health Ministry reported Tuesday that 26 people, including 23 protesters and three law enforcement officers, were injured during overnight clashes in the capital, Tbilisi.

The violence marked the fifth consecutive day of anti-government demonstrations as the political crisis in the country deepens.

Georgia has been gripped by unrest since the October parliamentary elections, which opposition groups allege were marred by irregularities.

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The recent protests were triggered by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement last week that discussions on Georgia’s accession to the European Union would be postponed until 2028.

Monday night’s demonstrations saw riot police deploy tear gas against hundreds of protesters, predominantly young activists, who retaliated by launching fireworks.

The Health Ministry confirmed that none of the injuries sustained were life-threatening, though some individuals remain under medical observation.

International criticism of Georgia’s handling of the protests has intensified.

Several Western nations and the United Nations human rights chief have condemned the police’s “disproportionate” use of force against demonstrators.

Protesters have accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of stalling the country’s European integration process and aligning too closely with Moscow.

The political crisis has exacerbated divisions in the country, with pro-EU factions calling for the government’s resignation and immediate steps toward EU membership.

President-elect Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to BRICS nations, threatening to impose a 100% tariff on their exports to the United States if they pursue efforts to reduce reliance on the US dollar in international trade.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump demanded assurances from the BRICS bloc—which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with new members such as Iran, Egypt, and the UAE—that they would abandon any plans to create an alternative global currency.

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“We require a commitment… that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other currency to replace the mighty US Dollar, or they will face 100 percent tariffs,” Trump wrote.

The warning follows the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, where member states discussed measures to strengthen local currencies and reduce reliance on the dollar in trade.

A joint declaration issued at the summit endorsed initiatives such as expanding correspondent banking networks and enabling settlements in local currencies under the BRICS Cross-Border Payments Initiative.

Despite these discussions, Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that progress on more ambitious goals—such as a unified BRICS currency or a competitor to the SWIFT financial messaging system—remains limited.

“As for SWIFT and any alternatives, we have not created and are not creating any alternatives,” Putin said at the conclusion of the summit. He added, “As for a unified BRICS currency, we are not considering that question at the moment.”

Trump, however, dismissed such reassurances, signaling his intent to protect the dollar’s dominance in global trade.

“If BRICS countries continue with their plans, they should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful US Economy,” he warned.

“They can go find another ‘sucker!’ There is no chance that the BRICS will replace the US Dollar in international trade, and any country that tries should wave goodbye to America.”

This marks a continuation of Trump’s protectionist trade agenda, which defined much of his first term in office.

His administration imposed steep tariffs on countries such as China and Mexico, citing the need to safeguard American industries.

Ghana’s parliament is unlikely to pass a provisional budget ahead of the December 7 general elections, raising concerns of an unprecedented government shutdown in early 2024.

The delay comes as the West African nation prepares to elect a successor to President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose two-term mandate ends in January.

Historically, a provisional budget is passed in November during election years to ensure the government operates smoothly until the incoming administration takes office.

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However, political gridlock and a legal battle over parliamentary majority have stalled progress this year.

“We risk a government shutdown or, at best, lean government spending from January,” said Seth Terkper, Ghana’s finance minister from 2013 to 2017, in an interview.

He warned that without a budget, the government might have to slash interest payments and funding for the transition process.

Parliament has been on indefinite break since October 23 due to a dispute over which of the two main political parties holds the majority of seats.

The Supreme Court ruled on November 12 that Speaker Alban Bagbin’s earlier declaration of the majority was unconstitutional.

Despite this, Bagbin has refused calls to reconvene parliament, arguing that it would disrupt the election campaigns.

“This situation is unprecedented,” said Patrick Yaw Boamah, chairman of parliament’s finance committee.

The Finance Ministry set a November 15 deadline for presenting the provisional budget, but no progress has been made.

With only weeks left before the end of the year, experts warn that Ghana’s economy, already under strain, could face severe disruptions if the impasse continues.

Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, has not faced a budget failure in over three decades.

A government shutdown could disrupt essential services, including salary payments for public sector workers and interest obligations.

Labour unions are particularly concerned about the potential fallout.

“It’s a big problem,” said Joshua Ansah, head of the Trades Union Congress. “We hope they resolve it before January so it doesn’t affect salaries.”