U.S. births fell for the fourth year in a row, the government reported Wednesday, with experts calling it more proof that the weak economy has continued to dampen enthusiasm for having children.
But there may be a silver lining: The decline in 2011 was just 1 percent — not as sharp a fall-off as the 2 to 3 percent drop seen in other recent years.

“It may be that the effect of the recession is slowly coming to an end,” said Carl Haub, a senior demographer with the Population Reference Bureau, a Washington, D.C.-based research organization.

Most striking in the new report were steep declines in Hispanic birth rates and a new low in teen births.

In war-torn Sierra Leone, a young girl’s rape goes unnoticed. Rape is normal and socially acceptable, so when the horrifying experience is brought to authorities, the investigation never takes them from their desks. The young girl is merely another number.

Women’s rights are a universal issue of debate, although in some countries such as Somaliland, in which one in 14 women will die in childbirth because they lack the proper health care, the matter is more serious.

Television star John Stamos will join The Beach Boys on Friday at the Heart O’ Texas Fair.

Stamos has appeared on a variety of televsion shows such as “General Hospital” and the popular ABC series “Full House” and has displayed his musical talents on stage touring with The Beach Boys over the past 20 years.

He has been making appearances with The Beach Boys since 1985 and appeared in the group’s video for chart-topper “Kokomo.”

Festival-goers at this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin will be able to plan their fun day thanks to the festival’s new app, which launched yesterday.

The 2012 edition of the application will feature a new design and is available for all iPhone models.