US President Donald Trump has ordered the Treasury to stop producing penny coins, presenting it as an effort to cut down on government spending.

For far too long the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents.

This is so wasteful!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“I have instructed my Secretary of the US Treasury to stop producing new pennies. Let’s rip the waste out of our great nations budget, even if it’s a penny at a time,” he added.

The so-called Department of Government Efficiency — a cost-cutting initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk that has helped slash federal spending — highlighted the cost of producing pennies in a post on X in January.

Debates about the production cost of pennies are not new in the United States, with several bills having been introduced in Congress that have failed to pass.

Trump’s order would likely require lawmakers’ approval but Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent may be able to simply stop the minting of new pennies, economics professor Robert Triest of Northeastern University wrote in January.

Prices would likely be rounded to the nearest five cents if pennies are removed, Triest said.

Canada announced in 2012 it was eliminating pennies from its coinage system, citing a production cost of 1.6 cents each and its falling purchasing power because of inflation.

Trump has made cutting the federal budget a prominent part of his new administration, with Musk’s DOGE team being tasked with investigating government spending.

It is promise fulfilled as Venezuela on Monday sent two planes to bring undocumented migrants back from the United States, days after it came to an agreement with the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Recall that immediately Trump made his order to flush out irregular migrants, Venezuela promised to provide planes for it’s citizens.

The planes were on their way home, a foreign ministry statement said, after President Nicolas Maduro — keen for an end to crippling US sanctions — agreed with a visiting Trump envoy to accept the return of deported migrants and offered to provide the transport.

The government had been notified by the United States, the statement added, that some of the deportees were suspected of having ties to the Tren de Aragua gang or other criminal groups.

It did not specify how many Venezuelans were being brought home.

The day after Maduro met US envoy Richard Grenell in Caracas on January 31, Trump announced the South American country “has agreed to receive, back into their Country, all Venezuela illegal aliens who were encamped in the US, including gang members of Tren de Aragua.”

“Venezuela has further agreed to supply the transportation back,” Trump wrote on his platform Truth Social.

Grenell had traveled to Caracas despite Washington having not recognized Maduro’s reelection in a vote last year he is widely accused of stealing.

The envoy returned home with six Americans who had been detained in Venezuela.

It was not clear what Caracas had gained from the talks, after which Maduro called for a “new beginning” in bilateral relations.

Trump has pledged to carry out the largest deportation campaign in US history, vowing to expel millions of undocumented immigrants, many from Latin American nations.

Saudi Arabia has implemented new visa regulations that limit travellers from 14 countries, including Nigeria, to single-entry visas valid for 30 days, with no option for renewal or extension.

The policy affects tourists, business visitors, and individuals visiting family members.

However, those applying for Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, or residency visas are exempted from these restrictions.

The affected countries are Nigeria, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.

Saudi authorities have justified the decision as a measure to address growing concerns about the misuse of multiple-entry visas.

According to officials, some travellers used these long-term visas to overstay, live in the country illegally, or participate in Hajj without proper authorization.

The Saudi government enforces a strict Hajj attendance quota system for each country to manage the annual pilgrimage and prevent overcrowding.

However, violations of this quota have contributed to severe congestion issues, especially in recent years. In 2024, the situation became critical when over 1,200 pilgrims lost their lives due to extreme heat and overcrowding. Authorities believe that unregistered pilgrims, many of whom entered the country on multiple-entry visas, exacerbated the crisis.

While officials have described the suspension of multiple-entry visas as a temporary measure, they did not specify how long the new policy will remain in place.

The government intends to evaluate the impact of the change before deciding on future adjustments.

Travellers from affected countries are urged to apply for their single-entry visas well in advance of their trips to avoid delays or disruptions.

Saudi authorities emphasised the importance of complying with the new guidelines to avoid penalties.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also advised travellers to stay updated on visa policies through official government channels and ensure they follow all entry requirements.

These new regulations are expected to significantly affect travel plans for thousands of individuals, especially business travelers and those with family in Saudi Arabia, who may need to adjust their travel schedules accordingly.