Hungarian state seizes control of toxic sludge firm

The Hungarian parliament has passed a law putting aluminum company MAL under state control. The firm is allegedly responsible for the toxic sludge that burst from a reservoir at a plant in Ajka last week, causing major environmental damage.

The government appointed a disaster commissioner in charge of dealing with the situation. He will in effect be the company's manager. MAL's managing director has remained in detention since Monday and it will be clear by Thursday whether he will be arrested, according to a government spokesperson.