Today's Story Line

Japanese are proud of their work ethic and perseverance, but the prime minister's illness has provoked a reflection on work habits.

Violence escalates in Zimbabwe, with government supporters attacking peaceful demonstrators.

In the West, it's often considered sinister, but in Haiti, Vodou is being recognized for its role in defining Haitian culture.

Spring not only brings snow to Nunavut, but a bounce in activity, like igloo-building contests.

Faye Bowers Deputy world editor

REPORTERS ON THE JOB

*ON-THE-JOB EXPERIENCE: The Monitor's Cameron Barr has experienced firsthand the phenomenon known in Japan as karoshi. He and his Western colleagues often share anecdotes about their assistants' proclivity to stay in the office - no matter how late - until their Western bosses leave. It's just not polite, nor acceptable, for workers to leave before their bosses. Yesterday, for example, Cameron had to repeatedly admonish his assistant to leave at 7:30 p.m. She wanted to stay in case he needed any last-minute help for today's story.

FOLLOW-UP ON A MONITOR STORY

*ARGENTINE POET FINDS 'DISAPPEARED' GRANDCHILD: As reported by the Monitor's Howard LaFranchi on Nov. 3, many grandparents in Argentina are searching for an estimated 400 to 500 children who were taken from young parents who had been kidnapped and "disappeared" by authorities during Argentina's 1976-83 military dictatorship. The Buenos Aires Herald yesterday reported that Juan Gelman, after searching for 24 years, has found his grandchild in Uruguay. She is 24 years old and lives in Montevideo with parents who love her and whom she loves, the Argentine poet and writer said after meeting with Uruguayan President Jorge Batlle.

Mr. Gelman's son, Marcelo, and daughter-in-law, Maria Irureta, were kidnapped in Buenos Aires in August 1976. Ms. Irureta, who was 19 years old then, was seven months pregnant. Marcelo Gelman's body was later found, but Irureta's was not.

For several years, Gelman pressured the Uruguayan government to grant him a hearing in order to find out about his grandchild (her mother came from Uruguay). Nobel Peace Prize laureates, such as Adolfo Perez Esquivel and Rigoberta Menchu, campaigned on his behalf. And last week, 168 poets and writers, including Nobel winners Gnter Grass, Jose Saramago, Seamus Heaney, Wole Soyinka, Wislawa Szymborska, and Derek Walcott sent President Batlle a letter demanding an investigation.

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