Greta Thunberg under Israeli custody, the 'No Music for Genocide' movement, Diddy's Conviction

Climate activist Greta Thunberg tortured in Israeli custody

International outrage has grown following reports from several activists deported from Israel, who claim that Swedish climate advocate Greta Thunberg was subjected to abuse while in Israeli custody after joining a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

Turkish journalist Ersin Celik, who took part in the Gaza Sumud Flotilla, recounted witnessing violent treatment toward Thunberg. “They dragged little Greta by her hair before our eyes, beat her, and forced her to kiss the Israeli flag. They did everything imaginable to her, as a warning to others,” Celik told local outlets.

Echoing his account, Malaysian activist Hazwani Helmi and American participant Windfield Beaver said Thunberg was shoved and publicly humiliated while being forced to hold an Israeli flag. “It was a disaster. They treated us like animals,” Helmi said, describing how the detainees were denied access to food, clean water, and medical care.

Italian journalist Lorenzo Agostino, who was also part of the flotilla, shared similar observations. “Greta Thunberg, a brave woman, is only 22 years old. She was humiliated and wrapped in an Israeli flag and exhibited like a trophy,” he reported.

Artists join ‘No Music for Genocide’ boycott

A rising number of artists have thrown their support behind the “No Music for Genocide” initiative–a global campaign urging a streaming boycott in Israel to denounce the continuing violence and alleged genocide in Gaza.

Musicians involved are taking concrete measures by pulling their work from Israeli streaming services. Some have adjusted their distribution regions, while others have asked labels and distributors to block access to their music in the country. The movement is also pressing major record labels, including Sony, Universal Music Group (UMG), and Warner, to implement comparable restrictions.

When the “No Music for Genocide” campaign launched in September, its founding lineup featured a diverse mix of globally recognized acts such as Björk, Paramore, Japanese Breakfast, Primal Scream, and Massive Attack. 

They were joined by indie and alternative artists including King Krule, Rina Sawayama, Amyl & The Sniffers, Fontaines D.C., MIKE, Faye Webster, Yaeji, MJ Lenderman, Wednesday, Mannequin Pussy, Soccer Mommy, MØ, and Kneecap.

The movement has since seen a major surge in participation, now boasting the support of over a thousand additional musicians–among them Lorde, MUNA, and IDLES.

Diddy sentenced to over four years in prison

A federal court on Friday handed music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs a prison term of four years and two months, with the judge acknowledging the gravity of his offenses while expressing hope that he could still rebuild his life.

The charges stemmed from incidents in which Combs arranged for two of his former partners to engage in sexual acts with paid escorts during drug-fueled gatherings known as “Freak Offs” or “hotel nights.”

Combs has been held at a federal detention center in Brooklyn, New York, since his arrest in September last year. In July, he was found guilty on two counts of transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution–each carrying a potential 10-year maximum sentence.

However, Judge Arun Subramanian opted for a sentence shorter than the 11 years recommended by prosecutors but far longer than the 14 months requested by the defense, which would have allowed Combs to walk free after time served.

Taylor Swift unveils acoustic CDs of ‘The Life of a Showgirl’

Taylor Swift continues to keep her fans on their toes with yet another unexpected announcement.

Over the weekend, the global pop icon revealed that she’s releasing four special-edition CDs of her newest album, The Life of a Showgirl. Each version includes newly recorded acoustic renditions of selected tracks, giving listeners a fresh take on the songs that defined her recent tour.

Sharing the news on Instagram, Swift explained that the project was inspired by her favorite parts of performing live. “I think my favorite moments from the tour were the acoustic surprises, so I went back into the studio with Max and Shellback to record acoustic/unplugged versions of a few of the Showgirl songs with brand new vocals and production!” she wrote.

The limited-edition CDs–available exclusively on Swift’s official website for just 24 hours or until stocks run out–feature two bonus acoustic songs and distinct cover artwork for each release.

ICYMI:

• Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez was arrested early Saturday after being stabbed in an incident that occurred just after midnight, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

• BLACKPINK has once again made history, becoming the first musical act ever to surpass 99 million subscribers on YouTube.

• Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl has shattered streaming records, becoming the most streamed album in a single day on Spotify in 2025 with an astonishing 139 million plays.

• Charli XCX gave fans an exciting peek into her creative process by sharing new footage from the recording studio. The brat singer posted clips on social media showing her working on fresh material, sparking speculation that a new project could be on the horizon.

— Bea Bertuldo

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