World
Belgian Audi factory closes, leaving thousands of workers jobless
Audi operations will be moved to China and Mexico due to high costs. Future uses for the site in the Brussels neighbourhood of Forest are being considered.
Audi Brussels factory is set to close in the Belgian capital, releasing its 3,000 workers who went in for their last shift on Friday.
Halfway through last year, production was already reduced, and between 1,500 and 2,000 jobs were cut. At the end of October, no serious investor or buyer had emerged, leading to the decision to close the factory this February.
“It just feels weird that it’s coming to an end,” one employee said. “When you’ve been coming here for 15 years, the factory is a big part of your life. Then, all of a sudden, it’s over. It’s like a whole part of your life is over.”
The factory in Brussels’ neighbourhood of Forest has been assembling luxury Audis since 2006, when the then-Volkswagen factory was saved from the brink of closure.
But almost 20 years later, there is no good news for the workers at Audi Brussels. At the start of 2024, it was announced that the factory’s car production would be moved to China and Mexico.
Audi’s profit margins were deemed too low, and the Belgian workers were too expensive.
‘It’s a bit like divorce’
Aurelien Duval has been working for Audi for almost ten years. He’s in charge of the maintenance department.
“It’s a bit like a divorce, in fact. You don’t know if you should blame management, if it’s your fault, if it’s… The emotions are a bit strange,” Duval said.
“Maybe I blame Audi’s top management, because it’s not a bankruptcy, they’re just leaving to make extra profits,” he added.
The announcements led to employees and trade unions going on strike and holding hundreds of car keys “hostage” in protest of the decision.
“I’ve been working here for 10 years,” said a worker in front of the factory on Friday. “I thought I’d make my whole career at Audi, but that won’t be the case.”
“I’m young, I think I’ll find work again easily, but unfortunately, the pay may not keep up. At Audi, we’re very well paid, so it’ll be complicated to find the same salary elsewhere,” he added.
The Belgian car industry has seen a sharp decline in the last thirty years. Once a leader in the field, Belgium’s vehicle manufacture has slid by 80% since the late 1990s.
Talking about the future of the Audi Brussels factory itself, Belgium’s Minister of Defence Theo Francken has touted the idea of turning the plant into a weapons production site.
This could create new jobs, Francken said, adding that there is an “urgent need for military materials”.
There are other options for conversion that could include different sectors, according to the Forest-Vorst Charles Spapens.
Additional sources • EBU
World
‘X-Men’ Star Famke Janssen Says Marvel ‘Made a Mistake’ By Not Asking Her to Return as Jean Grey in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
Famke Janssen said during a recent conversation with Nerdtropolis at Spacecon 2026 that Marvel “made a mistake” by not bringing her back as Jean Grey for December’s “Avengers: Doomsday.”
“I am so bad at keeping secrets that I always say to everyone I’m the worst actor in the world. It’s all on my face. You right away will read it,” Janssen said. “I think they made a mistake, but hey, who am I? I’m just a little me who thinks that.”
Janssen first appeared as the telepath Jean Grey, aka Phoenix, in 2000’s “X-Men,” and then reprised the role for 2003’s “X2: X-Men United” and 2006’s “X-Men: The Last Stand.” She also briefly appeared as Grey in 2013’s “The Wolverine” and 2014’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past.”
Janssen’s absence from “Doomsday” is notable, considering Marvel is bringing back many of her “X-Men” co-stars for the film. Patrick Stewart (Charles Xavier), Ian McKellen (Magneto), James Marsden (Cyclops), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler) and Rebecca Romijn (Mystique) are all set to return.
In an October 2025 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Janssen said in every interview she does, she’s asked about the future of Jean Grey in the MCU.
“It’s interesting,” Janssen said. “I didn’t realize that was such a big part. Every interview I do, that will come up, and of everything I say, that is going to be the only thing that’s gonna be printed.”
“I should be flattered, I suppose, that this character has resonated with people,” she added. “It’s been so long, but it’s nice that people are still talking about her. I’m sure every single time there’s a new movie that they’re doing, like [is it] ‘Doomsday?’ … it’ll come up again.”
World
Two-train crash leaves at least 1 dead, 89 injured as emergency crews rush to chaotic scene
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Authorities are responding after two passenger trains crashed into each other Friday near Bedford, England, killing at least one person and injuring nearly 90 others.
The East of England Ambulance Service said it was called to a collision involving two trains at Elstow, near Bedford, at about 5:15 p.m. local time and quickly declared a “major incident.”
One person died at the scene, 11 people suffered very serious injuries, 22 were seriously injured and 56 people had minor injuries, officials said.
Bedford is roughly 60 miles north of London.
2 TRAINS COLLIDE IN DENMARK, LEAVING 5 PEOPLE CRITICALLY INJURED
Two passenger trains collided Friday in the United Kingdom. (Fox News)
All the patients with the most serious injuries have been taken from the scene to hospital.
The ambulance service said it sent numerous resources to the scene, including more than 20 ambulances, specialist hazardous area response teams and six air ambulances.
MULTIPLE STABBED IN UK TRAIN ATTACK NEAR CAMBRIDGE AS POLICE ARREST 2 SUSPECTS
Emergency crews were pictured working near the scene. (Fox News)
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we thank all emergency service colleagues for their swift response,” the ambulance service wrote in a statement.
The Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed its crews were also responding.
“Please avoid the area,” fire officials wrote in a statement on X.
Sources told The Telegraph the train driver was on the phone with maintenance staff discussing a safety issue at the time of the crash.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
World
Lebanese influencer organises World Cup event amid Israel’s attack on Leban
As Israel’s war on Lebanon rages, hundreds gather in Rmeileh by Sidon Gate to watch the 2026 World Cup. Organised by influencer Bilal Haddad, the fan zone offers food trucks, shisha and family activities, giving people a rare chance to relax. Al Jazeera’s Justin Salhani went to check it out.
Published On 20 Jun 2026
-
Wyoming8 minutes ago$1 million Wyoming home sale among the week’s top property transfers
-
Crypto11 minutes agoIreland Targets Crypto Assets in New Strategy to Disrupt Illicit Cash Flows
-
Finance16 minutes agoFinancial adviser warns, ‘stay away from the hype’ of an IPO
-
Fitness23 minutes agoThe Best Fitness Trackers for Your Lifestyle, Workouts, and Goals
-
Movie Reviews31 minutes ago‘Finnegan’s Foursome’ Review: Edward Burns’ Spiky-Quaint Sports Dramedy Is a Tale of Family Therapy Through Golf
-
World41 minutes ago‘X-Men’ Star Famke Janssen Says Marvel ‘Made a Mistake’ By Not Asking Her to Return as Jean Grey in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
-
Lifestyle1 hour agoJames Burrows, director of classic shows ‘Cheers’ and ‘Friends,’ dies at 85
-
Technology2 hours agoNothing cancels this year’s CMF phone due to RAM prices