Keeping Up the Fight: Protestors who oppose the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA) held up signs in the wings of the Legislative Assembly yesterday. Inside, the assembly is discussing the laws needed to implement this trade pact, which Costa Ricans voted in favor of in a referendum Oct. 7. The signs had been pasted to the assembly's glass wall in recent weeks, but acting assembly president José Angel Ocampo ordered them down yesterday after tensions escalated between protestors and legislators.

In 2008, Costa Ricans will get a chance to head-bang to legendary heavy metal.

Auction
To benefit the Newborn Association of the National Children's Hospital, 7 p.m., Galería Klaus Steinmetz, San Rafael de Escazú.

Montezuma International Film Festival
Independent films from around the world, live music, art exhibits, parties, today through Monday, Montezuma, Nicoya Peninsula, www.montezumafilmfestival.com .

By Gillian Gillers
Tico Times Staff | ggillers@ticotimes.net

Poverty levels have dropped significantly for the first time in 13 years, according to the National Statistics and Census Institute (INEC), which yesterday released the results of its annual household survey.

After surveying more than 14,500 homes across the country in July, the institute found that the number of poor Costa Ricans dropped from 20.2% to 16.7% last year. The institute also found that unemployment dropped from 20% to 4.6%.

Victor Hugo Céspedes, vice-president of the institute's council of directors, said between 1% and 1.4% of the decrease in poverty could be attributed to state programs like scholarships, pensions and state aid. Other factors are an increase in household income, decrease in inflation and steady 6% growth in gross domestic product, he said.

The institute has set the poverty line at monthly incomes of $105 per person in urban areas and about $84 per person in rural areas.

“There are some people who think poverty is reduced by ideological rhetoric,” said Housing Minister Fernando Zumbado, who applauded the data in a press conference yesterday. “Poverty is reduced by social programs and an economy that works for everyone.”

Still, the boon hasn't been equal across all areas. The poorest 20% and the richest 20% have seen their monthly incomes increase more than the rest of the population. Meanwhile, the number of unskilled jobs has grown slower than the number of skilled jobs such as work in hotels, restaurants, and the financial and construction sectors.

Tropical Storm Noel continues to produce strong rains over the Pacific coast, and the National Emergency Commission has expanded a yellow alert to include the entire coast of the northwestern Guanacaste province.

The National Meteorological Institute (IMN) reported yesterday that the storm is lingering in the Caribbean Sea and indirectly affecting Costa Rica with low-pressure systems.

The Southern Zone communities of Corredores, Osa, Buenos Aires, Coto Brus and Golfito were hit with flooding over the weekend, and about 75 people were forced to evacuate their homes and remain in shelters.

In Pérez Zeledón, several communities became unreachable after landslides blocked roads. Bridges also suffered damage in Ciudad Cortés, Aguijitas and Drake.

-Tico Times

In 2008, Costa Ricans will get a chance to head-bang to legendary heavy metal.

The British metal band Iron Maiden will visit Costa Rica for the first time as part of a massive 21-city tour that starts in India and finishes in Canada, and they will bring with them the outlandish show for which the band is known.

It's a show big enough to charter a Boeing 757 to carry 12 tons of equipment and a 70-person crew.

Iron Maiden, formed in 1975, has had a slew of heavy metal hits throughout their career and has legions of fans around the world. Their mascot Eddie, a cartoon of a skeleton with long blonde hair, has become a pop culture icon.

The band will play at Saprissa Stadium, north of San José, Feb. 26, 2008. Ticket prices have not yet been announced.

Bruce Dickinson, the band's lead singer, will pilot the chartered plane that will be painted with Iron Maiden insignias, and, of course, Eddie.