Hungary in focus
We look at the sludge disaster and the economic hurdles facing Hungary, plus the ‘secret’ of Vertu phones.
If you haven’t been completely transfixed on the Chilean miners this week, then I’m sure you’ve also seen the extraordinary story coming out of Hungary.
A burst reservoir at an alumnium plant, which sent a wave of toxic red sludge pouring through Hungarian villages with extraordinary force and reach.
Obviously there’s many facets to the story … the human toll (people were killed and injured, sadly) and the issue of responsibility. The company, MAL, seemingly wasn’t following EU rules and has now landed itself in hot water with Hungarian officials. Rightly, too.
But here in the CTC office, we thought it a good opportunity to take a look at Hungary in general. Not putting the boot in I must stress (!) but looking at a country with a huge economic mess as well as a red sludgey one.
We speak to Angus Campbell from London Capital Group, who explains very clearly what Hungary’s problems are … and if they sound a lot like another European country we’ve featured plenty here on CTC, well then you’re probably on to something!
Phones, phones, phones!
We love technology news – we’re basically gadget geeks – and this week we look briefly at Google TV and Microsoft phones … but in depth at Vertu.
If you’ve been shopping at a fancy shopping mall, you might have seen Vertu phones. Mega-expensive, made of gold and sapphires and the like, only for the super-rich!
Well now they’re moving into smartphones (to be honest, I sometimes wondered if their previous models actually made calls or not!) and the price tag is predictably astronomical.
That said, they have some very cool features which are worth seeing. On the show this week, Perry Oosting, the president of Vertu.
Lots more online too … and check us out on twitter at @AJCountingCost.
See you on the TV!
Counting the Cost can be seen each week at the following times GMT: Friday: 1430, 2130; Saturday: 0300, 1230; Sunday: 0630, 1930; Monday: 0030, 0730.