His death was ruled a suicide, but it brought an abrupt end to criminal proceedings that many hoped would expose the full extent of his network.

His death ended the criminal case against him, but it did not end the questions. One of the most important areas of continued scrutiny has been his travel history.

Understanding where Epstein travelled, and who travelled with him, could be central to understanding how he operated for so long within elite circles.

The World in Maps has created a map that highlights countries visited by Epstein, including nations across North America, South America , Europe, Africa and parts of Asia.

The map is based largely on released flight logs from Epstein’s private aircraft and journalistic investigations.

The flight logs and the ‘Lolita Express’

Epstein owned and used several aircraft over the years, including a Boeing 727 that became widely known in media reports as the “Lolita Express” .

Flight manifests from that aircraft, along with other planes he controlled, have been entered into court records and reported on extensively by outlets including the Associated Press and The Guardian.

The logs show frequent travel between the United States, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Norway, Russia, Morocco and Senegal.

Influential figures named in released files

Over the years, court documents, depositions and flight logs have referenced several high-profile figures who had contact with Epstein. These include:

Although the logs provide valuable insight, they do not represent a complete record of his lifetime travel.

The above map shows a striking cultural divide. The United States , Canada and parts of Brazil lean towards Taylor Swift, while Mexico, Central America and most of Spanish-speaking South America favour Bad Bunny.

The split reflects more than fan preference. It mirrors language, streaming behaviour, touring revenue and the globalisation of pop music.

Taylor Swift dominates much of the English-speaking Americas.

The United States and Canada remain core markets for Swift, who has consistently ranked among the world’s most streamed artists. According to IFPI’s Global Music Report , Swift was the world’s best-selling recording artist in 2023, driven by the massive success of her Eras Tour and re-recorded albums.

Her commercial power is equally visible on streaming platforms. Spotify has repeatedly listed her among its most-streamed artists globally, while Billboard reported that the Eras Tour became the highest-grossing concert tour in history, surpassing $1 billion in revenue.

In Brazil, one of the largest music markets in Latin America, Swift’s strong touring presence and streaming numbers have helped cement her popularity beyond English-speaking borders.

On the other hand, Bad Bunny dominates Mexico, Central America and most of South America.

The Puerto Rican superstar has become one of the most influential Latin artists in modern history. Spotify confirmed that Bad Bunny was the platform’s most-streamed artist globally for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, a historic achievement for a Spanish-language performer.

His album Un Verano Sin Ti became one of the most-streamed albums of all time and earned a Grammy nomination and award for Album of the Year, a rare milestone for a primarily Spanish-language release.

According to the map, Spanish-speaking countries across Latin America overwhelmingly favour Bad Bunny, whose reggaeton and Latin trap catalogue resonates culturally and linguistically across the region.

Meanwhile, English-speaking markets lean towards Swift’s pop and country-pop catalogue.

Brazil : The notable exception

Brazil stands out.

Despite being a Portuguese-speaking nation with its own vibrant domestic music industry, the map places Brazil in Swift’s column. Brazil is one of the world’s top ten music markets, according to IFPI, and international pop artists regularly perform strongly there.

Swift’s sold-out stadium shows in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro underline her commercial strength in the country.

Based on YouTube’s all-time public view counts, the current top 10 stands as follows:

At the top of the list is still the record-breaking Latin hit Despacito by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, which continues to dominate as YouTube’s most-viewed video of all time with 8.9 billion views.

This figure is more significant as it is even bigger than the world's total population. According to Worldometer, the global population stood at roughly 8.2 billion in early 2026.

TIME previously described the song’s rise as a defining moment for the global mainstreaming of Spanish-language pop, marking a turning point in how music crosses borders in the streaming era.

These numbers underline the truly global nature of YouTube’s audience, spanning Latin pop, K-pop, devotional music, novelty animation, and international football anthems.

YouTube has become far more than a video platform. It is now one of the world’s most influential music distribution systems.

The streaming platform plays a central role in shaping modern hits, particularly outside the traditional Western music industry pipeline. Artists can break through globally without radio dominance, driven instead by algorithms, fan communities, and shareable visuals.

From ice hockey in North America to figure skating in East Asia, the breakdown highlights how geography, infrastructure and history shape winter sport identity across the world.

Here’s how it looks country by country.

Ice hockey dominates the northern powerhouses

Ice hockey stands as the most prominent winter sport across much of North America and northern Eurasia.

Countries marked for hockey include:

This comes as little surprise. Canada considers ice hockey central to its national identity , while the United States and Russia consistently field strong Olympic and professional teams. According to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), these nations remain among the highest-ranked globally, with deeply embedded youth systems and professional leagues driving sustained popularity.

Across Scandinavia and the Baltic region, hockey’s presence is reinforced by climate, infrastructure and strong international results.

Skiing

Skiing, including alpine and cross-country disciplines, leads across much of western and central Europe.

Countries shown with skiing as their top winter sport include:

Austria and Switzerland, in particular, are synonymous with alpine skiing, producing generations of Olympic champions. The International Olympic Committee notes that skiing disciplines account for one of the largest shares of medal events at the Winter Games, reflecting their scale and global participation.

Mountain geography and winter tourism industries further reinforce skiing’s dominance in these regions.

Figure skating

Figure skating emerges as the most popular winter sport in:

Both nations have produced Olympic champions and global stars under the International Skating Union (ISU), and the sport consistently draws strong television audiences during the Winter Games. Japan ’s figure skating culture, in particular, has seen sustained growth over the past two decades.

Speed skating

Speed skating appears prominently in:

China has invested heavily in speed skating infrastructure and Olympic preparation, particularly in the lead-up to Beijing 2022. The Netherlands traditionally dominates global speed skating, and while not highlighted separately on this map, the sport remains deeply embedded in northern Europe as well.

According to ISU participation data, speed skating continues to be one of the most structured and competitive ice disciplines worldwide.

Curling

One of the more striking features of the map is curling’s prominence across parts of Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

Countries marked for curling include:

While curling does not command the same commercial spotlight in these regions as it does in Scotland or Canada, its presence reflects expanding federation membership and Olympic engagement. The World Curling Federation has actively developed the sport beyond traditional strongholds in recent years.

Bobsleigh

Bobsleigh is shown as the most prominent winter sport in several Latin American, African and Southeast Asian countries, including:

Sled sports often gain attention through Olympic participation and high-profile qualification stories. The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) has documented growing interest outside Europe and North America over the past decade.

Luge

Luge appears as the leading winter sport in:

Though highly specialised, luge remains a core Olympic discipline governed by the International Luge Federation (FIL), with concentrated development programmes in Europe and emerging initiatives elsewhere.

Ski jumping

Ski jumping features prominently in:

Poland, in particular, has a deep ski jumping tradition, producing multiple Olympic medallists and World Cup champions. The sport enjoys significant broadcast attention across parts of Central Europe during the Winter Games.

The International Olympic Committee recognises 16 core winter sports in the Olympic programme, and this country-by-country breakdown shows how those disciplines are distributed culturally around the globe.

In everyday language, “America” and “the United States ” are often used interchangeably, even by people living inside the U.S. itself.

But geographically, America or more precisely the Americas , refers to two continents, North and South America, containing around 35 sovereign nations, including Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and many others. The United States of America is just one of those nations.

The Puerto Rican superstar reiterated this as he used his 13-minute set to champion unity across the Americas by closing his set by naming countries beyond the United States, including Canada, Brazil, Bolivia, Panama and nations in Central and South America.

For many, especially Latino and Caribbean communities in the U.S., the message was one of belonging as much as geography.

By naming those countries during the performance, Bad Bunny placed Puerto Rico and other parts of the hemisphere squarely within the story of America, challenging narrow definitions of national identity.

Here are some reactions to Bad Bunny's performance:

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, became the first Latino solo artist and the first headliner to perform almost entirely in Spanish for the Super Bowl halftime show.

The 13-minute set was described as a “fusion of Latinx culture, social commentary, and musical celebration” with guest appearances from stars including Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin and Cardi B.

Bad Bunny’s halftime show was widely viewed as a celebration of Latin American identity on one of the world’s largest stages.

According to BuzzFeed’s detailed breakdown, the performance blended high-energy hits with strong visual storytelling, weaving Puerto Rican heritage and broader Latin culture into every part of the performance.

Celebrities asserted the claim of a good show when Grammy-award-winning artist Kacey Musgraves wrote on X, “That made me feel more proudly American than anything Kid Rock has ever done.”

Not all responses were positive. Right-wing critics, including President Donald Trump , labelled the show “terrible,” in part due to its cultural focus and political undertones.

This is not surprising as Bad Bunny’s selection as headliner stirred debate long before the performance. Critics argued that a predominantly Spanish-language show on America ’s most-watched TV stage represented a departure from tradition, a divide that reflected broader national conversations around identity and inclusion.

However, Bad Bunny tried to prove that this stance was wrong when he chose to read out countries in North and South America, including Venezuela, Guyana, Chile, Paraguay and Panama to prove that America was bigger than the United States .

With an overall score of 4.64 out of 5, Italy tops a list compiled from hundreds of thousands of verified user ratings across traditional dishes, regional specialities and local ingredients. The rankings, visualised by World Visualised and sourced from TasteAtlas, reflect real consumer sentiment rather than critic-led opinion.

Italy’s number-one ranking is driven by its deep culinary heritage and global appeal. From Neapolitan pizza and handmade pasta to regional icons like risotto, pesto, Parmigiano Reggiano and olive oil, Italian food consistently scores highly for flavour, balance and authenticity.

TasteAtlas notes that Italian cuisine stands out for its simplicity and ingredient-first philosophy, where quality produce takes precedence over complex techniques. This approach continues to resonate worldwide, from street food counters to Michelin-starred kitchens.

Second place goes to Greece, which earned a strong 4.60 rating. Greek cuisine is praised for its freshness and Mediterranean roots, with dishes such as souvlaki, grilled seafood, feta-based salads and yoghurt sauces ranking among the platform’s most loved foods.

Just behind is Peru, scoring 4.54, reflecting the country’s growing reputation as a global culinary innovator. Peruvian cuisine blends Indigenous, Spanish, African and Asian influences, with standout dishes including ceviche, lomo saltado and causa. Peru’s rise highlights how regional diversity and bold flavours are reshaping global food trends.

Both Spain and Portugal recorded scores of 4.53, underscoring the Iberian Peninsula’s strength in global cuisine.

Spanish cuisine is celebrated for its regional depth, from Valencian paella and Andalusian gazpacho to tapas culture and premium cured meats. Portugal, meanwhile, continues to gain international recognition for dishes such as bacalhau, caldo verde and seafood rice, supported by a strong tradition of home-style cooking.

France scored 4.48, maintaining its reputation for culinary technique, pastry mastery and fine dining tradition. While often associated with haute cuisine, TasteAtlas notes that everyday French dishes and regional specialities play a significant role in its ranking.

Türkiye and Japan, both rated 4.49, reflect how deeply food is tied to national identity. Turkish cuisine blends Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Mediterranean influences, while Japanese food culture continues to impress with its focus on seasonality, precision and presentation.

China and Indonesia, each scoring 4.48, highlight Asia’s growing visibility in global food rankings. China’s vast regional diversity, from Sichuan spice to Cantonese delicacy, remains a major draw, while Indonesian cuisine gains traction through dishes like nasi goreng, rendang and satay.

How TasteAtlas builds its rankings

TasteAtlas compiles its annual rankings using real user ratings, filtering out mass-produced and inauthentic entries to focus on traditional food culture . According to the platform, the goal is to document and preserve culinary heritage while offering travellers a reliable guide to local food experiences.

What this really means is that these rankings reflect how people actually eat and travel, and not just what appears on fine-dining menus.

The run-off held on February 8 saw Seguro secure roughly 67% of the vote, far ahead of his rival André Ventura of the far-right Chega party, who took around 33%. This result marks a strong mandate and returns the head of state role to a Socialist after years dominated by centre-right leadership.

The map of “most voted candidate per municipality” shows a sea of red, representing municipalities where Seguro led on the first or second round, with only a handful of areas where Ventura came out on top. This geographic distribution underlines the breadth of support for Seguro’s campaign across urban and rural Portugal.

In the first round on January 18, Seguro led with just over 31% of votes, while Ventura came second with about 23.5%, forcing the run-off as no candidate achieved the 50 per cent threshold required for first-round victory.

Turnout was notable, with just over 50% of registered voters participating in the decisive second round, the highest presidential turnout in years.

Though the presidency in Portugal is largely ceremonial, the role carries important powers, such as naming the prime minister, chairing the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, and, in some cases, dissolving parliament. These powers mean the election outcome can have a real impact on governance and policy direction.

For Seguro, the mandate is both political and symbolic. He ran as a moderate socialist, attracting support from across the centre and left, and successfully formed a broad anti-populist coalition.

Ventura, while defeated, celebrated his result as a major milestone for Chega. His 33% share is the highest ever for his party in a national election and reflects its growing influence in Portuguese politics .

President-elect Seguro is expected to take office in March, succeeding Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has served two terms.

According to the latest available data from Eurostat and multiple national statistics agencies, unemployment rates in Europe vary widely, from as low as around 2.6% in some northern nations to more than 15% in parts of Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

Northern Europe shows strong job markets

Countries in northern Europe continued to report some of the lowest unemployment figures on the continent. For example:

Western Europe sees moderate unemployment

Across Western Europe, unemployment rates were generally moderate:

Southern and Eastern Europe face higher unemployment

Unemployment climbed noticeably higher in parts of southern and eastern Europe:

Central Europe and the Baltics

Central European countries generally showed more balanced employment figures:

While these rates are higher than Nordic counterparts, they remain below many southern and eastern peers, signalling relative resilience in post-transition labour markets.

Unemployment remains a key barometer of economic health, especially as Europe navigates inflation, energy transitions, and changing global demand. Strong job markets in the north and central regions underscore the benefits of diversified economies and active labour policies.

According to historical data compiled by Topend Sports , Norway leads the all-time Winter Olympic gold medal table with 148 golds. The Scandinavian powerhouse’s success spans Nordic skiing, biathlon, and ski jumping, reflecting decades of excellence on snow and ice.

Behind Norway, the United States sits second with 114 gold medals to its name, bolstered by strong traditions in figure skating, ice hockey and alpine events. Germany (112) and the former Soviet Union (78) follow closely, demonstrating the depth of winter sport pedigree across Europe and North America .

Top 10 countries by Winter Olympic gold medals

As athletes prepare for the Winter Olympics in the coming weeks (opening on the Febraury 6), these historical gold medal rankings offer more than trivia, but they set expectations.

Norway’s longstanding leadership makes it a favourite once again, but past Games have shown that emerging nations and breakthrough stars can reshape the medal table with surprising performances.

Milano-Cortina will introduce new events, including ski mountaineering, attract wider global participation and give nations a chance to write the next chapter in Winter Olympic history .

The games which opened on February 6, 2026, will take place in Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo and surrounding venues, bringing together thousands of competitors for what promises to be a landmark international event.

According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), approximately 93 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are expected to participate, reflecting the continued growth of winter sport across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

While traditional powerhouses such as Canada, Norway, Germany and the United States remain central contenders, more nations than ever are now qualifying athletes in skiing, skating and ice-based competitions.

The 2026 Games will also include athletes competing under a neutral flag. The IOC has maintained restrictions on Russian and Belarusian delegations following the invasion of Ukraine , though select athletes may be permitted to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) under strict eligibility rules.

8 sports, 16 disciplines, and 116 medal events

Milano-Cortina 2026 will feature 8 core Olympic sports, divided into 16 disciplines, with a total of 116 medal events. Fans can expect major competitions across skiing, skating and ice hockey, alongside the debut of a brand-new event.

Full list of disciplines at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Athletes will compete in:

The addition of ski mountaineering marks a significant milestone, introducing a high-altitude endurance discipline to the Winter Olympic programme for the first time.

Countries and figures:

What this really means is that in some of the world’s most populous nations, a significant portion of citizens cannot consistently afford basic meals without external support.

The rise in free food programmes is being driven by a combination of inflation, unemployment, conflict, and widening inequality.

According to Pew Research, economic hardship has become a growing concern globally, with more people reporting difficulty meeting basic living costs, including food. Pew’s surveys repeatedly show that affordability and economic insecurity are shaping everyday life in both developing and wealthy nations.

Indonesia: The largest beneficiaries

Indonesia tops the list, with nearly one-third of its population reportedly receiving food support.

The country has expanded large-scale food subsidy and school feeding initiatives to reduce poverty and protect vulnerable households from rising prices.

Newsweek has reported that countries across Asia are increasingly relying on mass food distribution systems as governments try to prevent hunger from escalating into political instability.

Nigeria

Nigeria’s position on the list is deeply linked to its worsening food insecurity. Tribune Online Nigeria has published repeated reports on the country’s hunger emergency, pointing to soaring food prices, insecurity in farming communities, and the increasing number of households skipping meals.

The paper has highlighted how food relief and community feeding programmes are now essential in many regions.

With an estimated 20 million Nigerians benefiting from free food support, the country is facing one of the most serious cost-of-living crises in its recent history .

In recent months, millions of pages of investigative records, court filings, contact lists, flight logs, and correspondence linked to Epstein have resurfaced in public discussion, fuelling renewed media attention and political pressure for transparency.

While Epstein died in jail in 2019, the scale of his network and the unanswered questions surrounding who enabled him have ensured the story never fully went away.

The U.S. Department of Justice this year released more than 3 million pages of files related to investigations into the late financier and registered sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including emails, correspondence, financial records, flight logs, videos and images as part of what is now widely referred to as the “ Epstein files .”

The disclosure stems from the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress in November 2025 and signed into law by President Joe Donald Trump , which mandates the public release of unclassified documents held by the Justice Department and FBI.

Not just names — Context also matters

A high number of mentions does not equal proof of criminal conduct.

Journalists and legal analysts emphasise that the Epstein files include a mix of contact records, flight manifests, emails, and media references, and that being mentioned in a document does not, in itself, imply guilt or illegal activity.

For example:

International reactions to the documents

Across Europe and beyond, governments have reacted differently to references in the Epstein files:

Presidential hopeful Carlos Álvarez warned he could withdraw from the race amid allegations surrounding the misuse of public electoral funds, injecting fresh tension into Peru’s already polarised political climate. His remarks came as scrutiny mounted over how state resources are being distributed to political parties ahead of upcoming elections. The controversy has intensified public debate about transparency and campaign ethics, with rival politicians demanding stricter oversight mechanisms. Analysts say the dispute risks undermining confidence in the electoral process at a time when voter trust in political institutions remains fragile.

Election authority audits party financing

Peru’s electoral authority, ONPE, has launched audits into the use of public campaign funding by ten political parties as preparations for the polls accelerate. Officials said the move aims to ensure legal compliance and prevent irregular spending during the campaign season. The investigation has put several political groups on notice and revived calls for reforms to Peru’s party-financing system. Civil society organisations argue that stronger enforcement will be key to restoring confidence in democratic institutions after years of political turbulence.

Tackling crime

President Jerí Oré held talks with neighbourhood security committees as part of efforts to reinforce local-level crime prevention strategies. The meetings focused on coordination between residents, police forces and municipal authorities in areas struggling with rising insecurity. Government officials said the initiative forms part of a broader push to involve communities directly in public-safety programmes. Critics, however, argue that grassroots cooperation must be matched by deeper institutional reforms and increased resources for law enforcement.

Prison system overhaul

Authorities formally announced a major restructuring of Peru’s penitentiary system with the creation of a new agency, SUNIR, designed to modernise prison management and reduce overcrowding. The reform follows years of concern about deteriorating conditions and the influence of criminal groups inside detention facilities. Officials said SUNIR would improve infrastructure, security controls and rehabilitation programmes for inmates. Opposition lawmakers and human-rights advocates are pressing for details on funding and oversight to ensure the reform delivers meaningful change rather than bureaucratic reshuffling.

Peru and US deepen military cooperation

Peru and the United States agreed to strengthen defence ties after Washington formally designated Lima a NATO global partner, a status aimed at boosting cooperation in training, logistics and security coordination. The announcement signals a closer strategic relationship between the two countries amid shifting regional security dynamics. Government officials described the move as a diplomatic success that could modernise Peru’s armed forces and expand joint operations. Critics, however, have urged caution, warning that deeper military alignment with the US could provoke domestic political backlash or regional sensitivities.