In Argentina, Vargas Llosa insists on free speech

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Nobel Prize-winning author Mario Vargas Llosa thanked Argentina's president Thursday for preventing Argentine intellectuals from blocking his keynote address at the nation's annual book fair.

The Peruvian writer said that he hoped Cristina Fernandez's insistence on freedom of expression would be contagious in Argentina, and that her followers also respect the right of everyone to share ideas, including opposition newspapers that feel threatened by her government.

Vargas Llosa is a fierce defender of personal and economic liberties who has criticized the policies and alleged corruption of the Fernandez government.

White House minimizes S&P decision on US debt

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House is minimizing the significance of a credit rating agency's decision to downgrade its outlook on U.S. government debt.

White House spokesman Jay Carney says Standard & Poor's action Monday is a welcome call for a bipartisan agreement to reduce the deficit. He adds that the White House believes the political process will outperform the agency's expectations because the president and Congress recognize the problem, have proposed cutting $4 trillion and will soon begin negotiations toward a deal.

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Daniel Sedin scores twice, Canucks beat Blackhawks

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- The Vancouver Canucks have spent the entire week telling everyone they aren't the same team that was knocked out of the playoffs by the Chicago Blackhawks the last two seasons.

Not the same team that won Game 1 both times only to blow momentum-killing leads in Game 2 and go on to lose the series. Not the same team that couldn't beat the Blackhawks on home ice.

The Canucks backed up all that talk Friday night, but not before a few flashback moments.

Daniel Sedin scored his second goal midway through the third period and the Canucks survived three near comebacks and a frantic final few minutes to beat the Blackhawks 4-3 and take a 2-0 lead in the first-round playoff series.