Authorities in Russia have introduced new health guidelines that recommend referring women who do not want children to psychologists, as part of efforts to tackle the country’s deepening demographic crisis.

The policy, approved by the health ministry, directs doctors conducting reproductive health checks to ask women how many children they intend to have.

Those who indicate no desire for children may be advised to undergo counselling aimed at encouraging a more positive outlook on parenthood.

The move comes amid growing concern from the Kremlin over the country’s declining population.

President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly described the falling birth rate as a serious national issue, warning that Russia risks long-term population decline if urgent measures are not taken.

Russia’s fertility rate has dropped to around 1.4 children per woman — significantly below the 2.1 replacement level required to maintain population stability.

The situation has been further strained by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has seen hundreds of thousands of young men deployed over the past few years.

In response, the government has intensified pro-natalist policies, including tightening abortion regulations and introducing laws targeting what it describes as “child-free propaganda.”

At the same time, authorities continue to promote large families, offering financial incentives and social benefits to encourage higher birth rates, as part of a broader strategy to reverse the demographic decline.

Authorities in Russia have introduced new health guidelines that recommend referring women who do not want children to psychologists, as part of efforts to tackle the country’s deepening demographic crisis.

The policy, approved by the health ministry, directs doctors conducting reproductive health checks to ask women how many children they intend to have.

Those who indicate no desire for children may be advised to undergo counselling aimed at encouraging a more positive outlook on parenthood.

The move comes amid growing concern from the Kremlin over the country’s declining population.

President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly described the falling birth rate as a serious national issue, warning that Russia risks long-term population decline if urgent measures are not taken.

Russia’s fertility rate has dropped to around 1.4 children per woman — significantly below the 2.1 replacement level required to maintain population stability.

The situation has been further strained by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has seen hundreds of thousands of young men deployed over the past few years.

In response, the government has intensified pro-natalist policies, including tightening abortion regulations and introducing laws targeting what it describes as “child-free propaganda.”

At the same time, authorities continue to promote large families, offering financial incentives and social benefits to encourage higher birth rates, as part of a broader strategy to reverse the demographic decline.

A 61-year-old man, Kenneth Windley, has been exonerated and released after spending nearly two decades behind bars for a robbery he did not commit.

Windley regained his freedom on Monday after prosecutors in Brooklyn acknowledged that fresh evidence proved his innocence, bringing an end to a case that dates back to 2005.

“It cost me 20 years, but they said they corrected it now. So that’s all that matters,” Windley said shortly after walking out of court, expressing relief rather than bitterness.

The case was revisited after new evidence emerged, including confessions from two men already serving prison sentences for similar robberies.

Their admissions supported Windley’s long-standing insistence that he had no involvement in the crime.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez described the case as a stark reminder of how justice can go wrong when evidence is not thoroughly scrutinised.

Investigators revealed that Windley had been arrested after unknowingly using a stolen money order to purchase a stove for his mother.

The money order had been taken during a violent robbery involving a 70-year-old victim who was attacked and robbed in his apartment building.

Although Windley consistently maintained that he had simply bought the money order from acquaintances who claimed it was legitimate, he was identified in a lineup weeks after the incident and later convicted in 2007.

Due to prior convictions, he was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.

Over the years, efforts by his legal team and independent investigators helped trace the real perpetrators, who eventually confessed to the crime in sworn statements.

Prosecutors admitted that had this information been available during the trial, it would likely have created reasonable doubt.

Despite the breakthrough, no new charges will be filed, as the legal window for prosecution has since expired and the original victim has passed away.

Now free, Windley says he is focused on rebuilding his life.

“I’m just going to move on from there,” he said, choosing to leave the past behind after nearly 20 years lost to a wrongful conviction.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday held high-level talks with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer as both countries moved to strengthen bilateral relations and economic cooperation.

The meeting, described as a major diplomatic engagement, is expected to yield several Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural collaboration, underscoring Nigeria’s push to attract foreign investment and modernise critical sectors.

A key outcome of the visit is a £746 million financing agreement involving UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The deal is targeted at revitalising two of Nigeria’s busiest maritime hubs — the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex — in a move aimed at boosting trade efficiency and economic growth.

Earlier, Tinubu and the First Lady were hosted at Windsor Castle by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, reflecting the deepening diplomatic ties between both nations.

The President was accompanied by a high-powered delegation including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, Finance Minister Wale Edun, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, among other top government officials.

The visit is seen as a significant step in reinforcing Nigeria–UK relations while positioning Nigeria for increased global economic engagement.