Argentina heads into second default in 13 years as talks with US creditors break down

Talks aimed at averting Argentina's second default in 13 years ended with bitter recriminations Wednesday as the South American country said it could not accept a deal with U.S. hedge fund creditors it dismisses as "vultures." Argentine Economy Minister Axel Kicillof emerged from a meeting with creditors and a court-appointed mediator with an air of defiance, saying his government could find no middle ground ahead of a midnight deadline that automatically triggers a default on $539 million in interest payments.