BEOwnership & classification
Founded: 1888
Ownership
Het Laatste Nieuws (HLN) is the most-read newspaper in Flanders and Belgium, founded on 7 June 1888 by Julius Hoste Sr. and based in Antwerp. It is owned by DPG Media (formerly De Persgroep), the publishing group built around the former Hoste publishing house and controlled by the Belgian Van Thillo family under executive chairman Christian Van Thillo. DPG Media also owns De Morgen, Het Parool and Dutch and Danish titles.
Funding
Financed commercially through high newspaper sales, a large digital audience with subscription/paywall content on HLN.be, and advertising; it receives no state or party funding.
Affiliation & stance
HLN is owned by a private, family-controlled commercial publisher with no party or state ties, making it INDEPENDENT as the site states. It is a popular, broadly centrist mass-market title rather than a politically aligned outlet.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 61
79/100
Factual
76/100
Objective
170
Articles
170
reports
Top stories
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Recent coverage
Roberto Lopes ignored national coach for a year on LinkedIn, now he's playing Lionel Messi at the World Cup: Thanks to Google Translate
Roberto Lopes, een Belgisch voetballer die deel uitmaakt van het Belgische nationale elftal, heeft zich gedeeld op het wereldkampioenschap door te spelen tegen Lionel Messi. De situatie is geïnteresseerd geworden door het feit dat Lopes gedurende een jaar geen contact had met zijn bondscoach via LinkedIn. In een interview benadrukt Lopes hoe belangrijk het gebruik van Google Translate was om te communiceren en zich voor te bereiden op het WK. Zijn prestatie op het veld wordt gezien als een bewijs van zijn hard werken en adaptabiliteit.
Putin recognizes the oil map for the first time
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged for the first time that Russia is building 'some oil reserves' during a meeting focused on energy issues. He emphasized the need to strengthen domestic oil production and increase output. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continued their attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, detonating an oil purification plant in the southern Krasnodar region, which produces around four million tons of crude oil annually. The Krasnodar region is one of Russia's largest oil-producing areas located near the Black Sea. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces launched large-scale air strikes on Sevastopol, the largest city on Crimea, including attacks on oil facilities. In response, Russia, which annexed Crimea in 2014, has restricted fuel sales to the public to counteract the energy shortages. According to reports, these attacks have had no impact on the front line. During an interview with a Russian state television station, Putin described the Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure as an attempt to destabilize Russian society. He stated that Ukraine's goal was to halt the deployment of Russian military units to improve their position in arms control talks.
World Cup 2026: Switzerland passes without trembling against Algeria
The article reports on a football match during the 2026 World Cup qualification phase, where Switzerland defeated Algeria 1-0. The victory allowed Switzerland to advance further in the tournament. The match took place in a neutral venue, and the Swiss team showed strong performance throughout the game. Algeria struggled to create significant opportunities, while Switzerland maintained control of the match.
Flexible job schemes have an immediate impact: these sectors had the highest number of vacancies on day 1
The article reports that the newly relaxed flexible job regulation has already had an immediate impact, with the most vacancies being posted on day one in certain sectors. The focus is on how this regulatory change has led to increased hiring opportunities in specific industries. The piece highlights the rapid response from employers and suggests a positive initial effect of the policy. No further details on which sectors are affected or the specifics of the regulation are provided.
Egypt challenge Australia for a place in the 1/8 finals
The article reports on a live sports event where Egypt is competing against Australia for a spot in the quarterfinals. The match is part of a larger tournament, likely in football (soccer), given the context of international competitions between these two nations. The article provides updates on the ongoing match but does not give specific details about the score, players, or previous matches. As this is a direct report on a sporting event, it focuses solely on the game's progression without additional commentary or background.
Coupe du monde 2026 : les Diables Rouges qualifiés en tenant leur rang face à la Nouvelle-Zélande et terminent premiers du groupe
The Belgian national football team, known as the Red Devils, secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup by maintaining their position against New Zealand and finishing first in their group. The match took place as part of the qualifying tournament for the World Cup, which determines which teams will participate in the global competition. Belgium's performance ensured their spot in the 2026 World Cup, marking a significant achievement for the team. This result highlights their strong standing in international football and sets them up for the next stage of competition.
Erik Van Looy gaat uit zijn dak, Dries Mertens krijgt kus van Kat Kerkhofs en Average Rob laat Rock Werchter ontploffen: zo vierden BV's de comeback van de Rode Duivels
The article discusses how Belgian celebrities and public figures celebrated the return of the Red Devils (Belgium's national football team) after their comeback. It highlights specific moments such as Erik Van Looy expressing his excitement, Dries Mertens receiving a kiss from Kat Kerkhofs, and Average Rob causing a commotion at Rock Werchter, a music festival.
WK-fans klagen ticketplatform StubHub aan na geannuleerde tickets: “Niet gekregen waarvoor we betaalden”
Fans van het wereldkampioenschap (WK) hebben zich aangesproken bij het ticketplatform StubHub over de annulering van tickets. De klachten richten zich op het feit dat gebruikers niet de tickets kregen die ze hadden betaald. De titel benadrukt de frustratie van de klanten en suggereert een gebrek aan transparantie of eerlijkheid van het platform.
Een remake van die epische clash in 2014? Rode Duivels tegen VS in de nacht van maandag op dinsdag om 2 uur
The article announces a potential rematch between Belgium's national football team, the Red Devils, and the United States team, reminiscent of their historic 2014 match. The game is scheduled for the early hours of Tuesday, around 2 AM, following a night of play. The headline suggests a nostalgic reference to past encounters, highlighting the significance of this upcoming match. The article does not provide detailed context or outcomes of previous games, focusing instead on the timing and anticipation surrounding the event.
Natuurbranden teisteren Zuid-Frankrijk: brandweer heeft “moeilijke nacht”, 2.200 toeristen geëvacueerd van campings in Fréjus
Natural fires are affecting southern France, leading to a challenging night for firefighters. Over 2,200 tourists were evacuated from campsites in Fréjus due to the wildfires. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges posed by natural disasters in the region, impacting both local communities and visitors. Emergency services are working tirelessly to contain the fires and ensure the safety of residents and tourists. The incident underscores the need for preparedness and response strategies during such crises.
16 severely neglected and abused children locked in one room for years: police in Ohio stumble upon horror
The article reports on a disturbing discovery by police in Ohio, where they stumbled upon 16 severely neglected and abused children who had been locked in a single room for years. The children were reportedly kept in deplorable conditions, with signs of physical abuse and severe neglect. The incident highlights systemic failures in child protection services and raises concerns about the oversight of vulnerable families. While the article emphasizes the gravity of the situation, it does not provide specific details about the perpetrators, legal actions taken, or the current status of the children.
Ebola cases in Congo rise to more than 1,400
The article reports that the number of Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to over 1,400. The outbreak continues to pose significant challenges for local health authorities, who are working to contain the virus. While the situation remains critical, there have been no recent updates on the effectiveness of containment efforts or international response measures. The article focuses solely on the growing number of infections without providing additional context or commentary.
Maxim De Cuyper is your Red Devil of the Match
The article announces Maxim De Cuyper as 'your Red Devil of the Match,' a title typically awarded to a standout player during a football match. The phrase 'Rode Duivel' is a nickname often associated with Belgian football players, particularly those known for their aggressive or dominant performances. While the article highlights De Cuyper's performance, it does not provide specific details about the match, his actions, or any broader context beyond this accolade. The piece appears to be a brief sports highlight rather than an in-depth analysis.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
Nothing flagged as overlooked yet.