Argentina denounces hedge funds' 'extortionate power' over debt

Argentina's economy minister went before a UN forum Wednesday to accuse so-called vulture funds of gaining "extortionate power" over countries like his own that seek to restructure their sovereign debt. Argentina has been embroiled in a long, and so far unsuccessful, legal battle with two US hedge funds who have demanded full repayment of $1.33 billion in debt the South American country defaulted on in 2001. A US federal judge has sided with the hedge funds, blocking an Argentine