In This Issue:
- PRI in the Media
- Iran Strike Puts China in Crosshairs
- Deepening Depopulation
- Germany Aging Faster Than Expected
- Singapore’s Demographic Tipping Point
- Red States Are Gaining Babies
- In Defense of Large Families
- Communist China
- China Detains Christian Missionary
- UN Misdeeds
- Argentina Rejects UN Abortion Pressure
- Pro-Life Around the World
- French Assembly Approves Assisted Suicide
- El Salvador Abortion Group Dissolves
- Pro-Life on the Home Front
- Utah Advances “Baby Olivia” Video
- Ohio Blocks Unborn Burial Law
- Wyoming Court Rejects Pro-Life Appeal
- Good News
- Record Attendance at Pro-Life Conference
- PRI Research & Resources
- The Truth About Abortion Pills
PRI in the Media
Iran Strike Puts China in Crosshairs: This week, PRI President Steven Mosher appeared in the New York Post to analyze mounting geopolitical setbacks for China. Mr. Mosher argued that recent U.S. actions—from strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal to economic pressure on Venezuela to losing control of the Panama Canal—are weakening Beijing’s global influence and cutting off key energy supplies. Long dependent on discounted Iranian oil, China now faces rising costs and shrinking strategic reach as the United States counters its expansion without direct military conflict.
Deepening Depopulation
Germany Aging Faster Than Expected: Germany’s population is aging and shrinking faster than expected, according to new projections from the Federal Statistical Office. The country’s fertility rate has fallen to just 1.35 children per woman. In 2025, about 650,000 babies were born, while roughly 1 million people died. Germany’s population now stands at 83.5 million. By 2035, one in four Germans will be over age 67, and the population could shrink by about 10% by 2070, even with continued immigration.
“Germany is in a seemingly irreversible demographic decline,” says Mr. Mosher. “And the government, instead of encouraging more births, seems intent on replacing the current population with immigrants. One day soon the German elite will themselves be replaced by immigrants, of course, and the cultural and social fabric of the country will be forever changed.”
Singapore’s Demographic Tipping Point: Singapore’s fertility crisis has deepened, with the total fertility rate plunging to a record 0.87 in 2025. Recent government data show Chinese women recorded the lowest rate at 0.71, compared to 0.92 for Indian women and 1.53 for Malay women. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong called the decline an “existential challenge.” Despite expanded baby bonuses and 30 weeks of paid parental leave, many cite long-term career penalties, high opportunity costs, and “intensive parenting” pressures as reasons to forgo children. Singapore now relies on 25,000–30,000 new citizenships granted annually to offset population decline.
Red States Are Gaining Babies: New research from the Institute for Family Studies shows that American families are increasingly relocating to red states in the post-COVID era. States that voted Republican in 2024 saw the number of children under 18 rise slightly—from 43.1 million in 2019 to 43.7 million—while blue states lost young families. The 20 states voting Democrat saw 600,000 fewer children under age five between 2019 and 2024. Analysts link the shift to lower housing costs, job growth, and higher birth rates in red-leaning states, signaling a growing geographic divide in family formation.
“Is it any surprise that Red States, which are by and large more family friendly, are welcoming more young families and babies into their states?” asks Mr. Mosher. “And it’s not just the low cost of housing and lower taxes. The fact is that babies beget babies—meaning that when young couples are around those who are open to life, they become more open to life as well. And nine months later, a new addition appears.”
In Defense of Large Families: A mother of ten children is pushing back against critics who claim large families are “irresponsible.” Writing in response to a viral social media post, legal analyst Andrea Picciotti-Bayer argues that large families cultivate responsibility, love, and patience. Drawing from her own experience raising ten children while running an organization, she describes what she calls the “elegant efficiencies of a full house,” where older siblings mentor younger ones and family life becomes a school of leadership, sacrifice, and joy.
“Children raised in a large family are going through the finest family apprenticeship program known to man,” says Mr. Mosher. “Compare their rich experience of human interaction and love to that of lonely, only children who are raised by nannies or, worse yet, iPads.”
Communist China
China Detains Christian Missionary: In China, Christian missionary Dong Yanmei remains detained nearly a year after her March 23, 2025 arrest, despite the legal detention period having expired. Authorities accuse her of “organizing illegal border crossings” after she legally traveled to Malaysia, Thailand, and South Korea for Christian gatherings using a valid passport. The three Christians arrested with her were released weeks later, but Dong remains in custody without a court date or explanation, highlighting ongoing pressure on China’s house churches and international Christian networks.
UN Misdeeds
Argentina Rejects UN Abortion Pressure: The government of Argentina has taken a UN human rights treaty body to task for promoting abortion as a “human right,” along with other controversial concepts not contained in the treaty under review. During a session with the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Argentina’s representative Dr. Ursula Basset firmly rejected the claim, stating that international law recognizes no “right” to abortion and reaffirming Argentina’s protection of life from conception while criticizing the committee for overstepping its authority.
Pro-Life Around the World
French Assembly Approves Assisted Suicide: France’s National Assembly has approved a controversial bill that would legalize assisted suicide for certain patients with terminal or incurable illnesses. The measure passed in a 299–226 vote and will now return to the French Senate for further consideration. Under the proposal, eligible patients must be adult French citizens suffering from an incurable illness, experiencing pain that cannot be relieved, and deemed mentally competent. The bill also requires the lethal drug to be self-administered, unless the patient is physically incapable, raising serious ethical concerns about the dignity of a human life.
“In the grimmest of grim ironies, just a couple weeks after the French government sends every 29-year-old woman in the country a warning that her eggs are dying and to freeze some while she still has a chance, that same government now approves an assisted dying bill,” says Mr. Mosher. “It’s as if the French can’t wait to give their country to someone else.”
El Salvador Abortion Group Dissolves: An abortion advocacy group in El Salvador has announced its legal dissolution following the country’s 2025 Foreign Agents Law, which requires NGOs receiving foreign funding to register and disclose financial activity. Rather than comply, the Citizens’ Group for the Decriminalization of Abortion chose to dissolve its legal organization, though members say they will continue activism under a new movement. El Salvador’s constitution recognizes human life from the moment of conception, and the law also imposes a 30% tax on foreign-funded NGO transactions.
Pro-Life on the Home Front
Utah Advances “Baby Olivia” Video: Utah lawmakers are advancing a bill that would require public schools to show a short video on human development in the womb. The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Nicholeen Peck, passed the state House 40–28 and would require students to view a three-minute fetal development video at least twice between 7th and 12th grade, beginning in 2027. The “Baby Olivia” video—produced by Live Action—demonstrates the reality of life beginning at conception. If enacted, Utah would join six other states that have adopted similar “Baby Olivia” education laws.
Ohio Blocks Unborn Burial Law: An Ohio appeals court has upheld a ruling blocking Senate Bill 27, a law requiring the burial or cremation of the remains of aborted babies. The First District Court of Appeals ruled the measure violated the state’s Reproductive Freedom Amendment, which voters approved in 2023. The law had previously been blocked in 2021. Pro-life advocates had supported the measure as a basic safeguard to ensure the dignified treatment of unborn children’s remains, but the court’s decision has prevented the requirement from taking effect.
Wyoming Court Rejects Pro-Life Appeal: The Wyoming Supreme Court has denied a petition to reconsider its decision to strike down the state’s “Life is a Human Right Act” and the nation’s first medication abortion ban. The rehearing request, filed January 20 at the request of Gov. Mark Gordon, argued that the court failed to recognize that an unborn child has a fundamental right to life. After issuing a 65-page opinion, the court rejected the petition on February 18. Meanwhile, lawmakers are considering new pro-life bills, including a six-week heartbeat law.
Good News
Record Attendance at Pro-Life Conference: The pro-life movement in the UK is seeing growing enthusiasm among young people. This year’s SPUC Youth Conference in Staffordshire, England, drew more than 270 attendees ages 16–35, marking the largest gathering in the event’s history. Hosted by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, the conference featured talks, workshops, and personal testimonies focused on defending the unborn and building a culture of life.
PRI Research & Resources
The Truth About Abortion Pills: This week, we highlight PRI’s investigation into the chemical abortion pill, which accounts for at least 60% of all abortions. The abortion industry typically uses mifepristone and misoprostol, which block nutrients and oxygen to the unborn child and then induce contractions to expel the baby. Evidence also points to serious health risks: chemical-abortion-related emergency room visits rose more than 500% between 2002 and 2015, and FDA records include 529 “life-threatening” complications and 20 reported deaths.
Quote of the Week
“Life, in fact, is a priceless gift that develops within a committed relationship based on mutual self-giving and service.”
~ Pope Leo XIV
