Vietnam Ferry Accident Kills 40

A small ferry, overloaded with holiday shoppers, sank in central Vietnam on Sunday. It killed at least 40 people ahead of the traditional lunar new year. At least 36 passengers survived. A few survived by swimming to shore and others were plucked by rescuers from the Gianh river in Quang Binh province. The boat's captain and owner were detained for questioning according to the local police chief.

An initial investigation showed the wooden boat was overloaded with nearly 80 people, though it was designed to carry only 12. The people from Quang Hai village were crossing the river to buy things for the lunar new year festivities. It is known as Tet in Vietnam. The new year is the country's biggest holiday and begins today.

Vietnam Releases Journalist From Prison

A prominant government critic, convicted of spying against the communist government, was released by Vietnam two weeks before Vietnam's president makes a historical visit to the U.S.He was released from Nam Ha prison on Saturday under a presidential amnesty. The prison is 40 miles north of Hanoi. He was one of Vietnam's first "cyber-dissidents" who used the Internet to spread pro-democracy views.