08 Aug 2025 10 min read

(EN) Café con leche - Episode # 2- August 8 2025 (English Version)

This week's podcast provides concise, bilingual summaries of recent, significant, global events. Key topics include: The controversial American Eagle "good jeans," or "my jeans are blue campaign," featuring Sydney Sweeney, the status of tropical storm Dexter, escalating geopolitical tensions marked by exchanges between Donald Trump and Dmitry Medvedev, joint China-Russia military exercises, the disputed death of DJ Godzi in Ibiza, and Hungary's strategic pivot towards BRICS nations. These events collectively illustrate a complex-global landscape characterised by cultural debates, evolving weather patterns, shifting international alliances and ongoing challenges to justice to transparency.

News item 1: Celebrity & Culture: Sydney Sweeney’s "Good Jeans" Campaign

American Eagle launched a campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney titled “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans”, using wordplay on “jeans” and “genes.” A teaser where Sweeney says “Genes are passed down... My jeans are blue” drew criticism for allegedly referencing eugenics and racial beauty standards.

Reactions were divided: some saw the campaign as reinforcing white privilege and narrow beauty ideals, while others dismissed the backlash as overblown. American Eagle did not respond publicly.

Despite controversy, the campaign initially boosted the company’s stock. Marketing experts compared it to provocative 1980s Calvin Klein ads. The brand also announced a special-edition jean supporting domestic violence awareness.

The campaign reflects a broader shift: after 2020’s push for inclusion, recent ads increasingly feature white models. Critics link this trend to political shifts and warn it risks alienating consumers who value diversity.

News item 2:

Escalating Tensions: Medvedev, Trump, and Joint China-Russia Naval Drills

Tensions have escalated between former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Donald Trump after Medvedev warned that any U.S. ultimatum would mean war not just with Ukraine, but with Russia itself. He referenced Cold War nuclear strategies, prompting Trump to order two U.S. nuclear submarines repositioned near Russia, stressing the risks of provocative rhetoric.

At the same time, China and Russia began Joint Sea-2025, a large-scale naval exercise in the Sea of Japan, signaling a strengthening anti-Western military alliance. The drills include missile defense, anti-submarine ops, and joint patrols, aimed at countering U.S. global influence.

These developments reflect a dangerous shift in international diplomacy, where nuclear threats and military moves are now public and rapid. The China-Russia partnership, reinforced by economic ties and shared opposition to Western policies, marks a coordinated challenge to global norms. Despite being labeled "defensive," the drills are seen by many as hybrid warfare that blends military, political, and strategic signaling—raising concerns about rising global instability.

News item 3

DJ Godzi's Death in Ibiza Sparks Allegations and International Scrutiny

Italian DJ Michele Noschese, known as Godzi, died in Ibiza between July 18–20, reportedly from cardiac arrest following a police encounter. His father, Giuseppe Noschese, has filed a complaint in Spain and Italy, alleging that Civil Guard officers beat his son to death and sent him directly to the morgue without medical attention. He suspects a cover-up due to delayed communication and limited media coverage.

Witness reports conflict: one claims the DJ was beaten on the ground, while another says he was on drugs, chasing a woman, and threatening a neighbor with a knife. The Civil Guard denies any assault, stating Noschese was hallucinating and collapsed while resisting arrest. They claim officers attempted to revive him, but he died soon after.

The case remains under investigation, monitored by Italian diplomats. An Italian MEP has demanded clarity. The family’s calls for a second autopsy and concerns over the investigation underscore broader issues of trust, transparency, and international oversight in cases of deaths in police custody.

News item 4

Hungary's Geopolitical Shift Away from the EU

Once praised as a model of EU integration, Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is now distancing itself from the European Union and Western liberal democratic ideals. Orbán promotes a vision of national sovereignty, forging closer ties with Russia, China, and the BRICS bloc.

Hungary remains friendly with Moscow, prioritizing Russian energy over EU sanctions, with bilateral trade in gas exceeding €6 billion in 2024. It is also expanding ties with China through Belt and Road investments and engaging with BRICS nations, though not a full member yet.

This pivot reflects a broader global trend of countries challenging U.S.-led unipolarity and Western dominance. Hungary’s strategy is economically driven—using Russian energy and Chinese infrastructure deals to gain independence from EU influence.

As Hungary moves away from the EU framework, it risks isolation from traditional partners but gains flexibility and strategic alternatives. This shift signals the emergence of a multipolar world order, shaped by growing economic and geopolitical fragmentation.

News item 5

Tropical Storm Dexter

Tropical Storm Dexter is active in the Atlantic, about 275 miles north-northwest of Bermuda, with sustained winds of 45 mph. As of August 4, 2025, it’s moving northeast at 15 mph and is expected to weaken into a post-tropical cyclone later this week. No watches or warnings are in effect, and it poses no immediate threat to land.

Dexter is the fourth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, forming at the same time as Tropical Storm Henriette in the Pacific—this season’s eighth named storm there. The simultaneous development of storms in both oceans suggests global atmospheric conditions favor widespread storm activity, underlining the need for better cross-basin forecasting and preparedness.

Power Words

Certainly, I can help you with that. Here are the English words and expressions/phrases from the provided text, highlighted in bold, with their Spanish translations next to them.

News item 1: Celebrity & Culture: Sydney Sweeney’s "Good Jeans" Campaign

launched a campaign: lanzó una campaña
featuring Sydney Sweeney: protagonizada por Sydney Sweeney
titled “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans”: titulada “Sydney Sweeney tiene buenos jeans”
using wordplay on “jeans” and “genes.”: usando un juego de palabras con "jeans" y "genes".
A teaser where Sweeney says “Genes are passed down... My jeans are blue”: Un teaser donde Sweeney dice “Los genes se heredan... Mis jeans son azules”
drew criticism: generó críticas
allegedly referencing eugenics: supuestamente haciendo referencia a la eugenesia
racial beauty standards: estándares de belleza raciales
Reactions were divided: Las reacciones fueron divididas
some saw the campaign as reinforcing white privilege: algunos vieron la campaña como un refuerzo del privilegio blanco
narrow beauty ideals: ideales de belleza estrechos
others dismissed the backlash as overblown: otros desestimaron la reacción como exagerada
American Eagle did not respond publicly: American Eagle no respondió públicamente
Despite controversy: A pesar de la controversia
initially boosted the company’s stock: inicialmente impulsó las acciones de la compañía
Marketing experts compared it to provocative 1980s Calvin Klein ads: Expertos en marketing la compararon con los anuncios provocativos de Calvin Klein de los años 80
The brand also announced a special-edition jean: La marca también anunció un jean de edición especial
supporting domestic violence awareness: apoyando la concienciación sobre la violencia doméstica
The campaign reflects a broader shift: La campaña refleja un cambio más amplio
after 2020’s push for inclusion: después del impulso de 2020 por la inclusión
recent ads increasingly feature white models: los anuncios recientes presentan cada vez más modelos blancos
Critics link this trend to political shifts: Los críticos vinculan esta tendencia a cambios políticos
warn it risks alienating consumers who value diversity: advierten que corre el riesgo de alienar a los consumidores que valoran la diversidad

News item 2: Escalating Tensions: Medvedev, Trump, and Joint China-Russia Naval Drills

Tensions have escalated: Las tensiones han escalado
former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev: el expresidente ruso Dmitry Medvedev
U.S. President Donald Trump: el presidente de EE. UU. Donald Trump
Medvedev warned: Medvedev advirtió
any U.S. ultimatum would mean war: cualquier ultimátum de EE. UU. significaría una guerra
not just with Ukraine, but with Russia itself: no solo con Ucrania, sino con la propia Rusia
He referenced Cold War nuclear strategies: Hizo referencia a estrategias nucleares de la Guerra Fría
prompting Trump to order two U.S. nuclear submarines repositioned near Russia: lo que llevó a Trump a ordenar el reposicionamiento de dos submarinos nucleares de EE. UU. cerca de Rusia
stressing the risks of provocative rhetoric: enfatizando los riesgos de la retórica provocadora
At the same time: Al mismo tiempo
China and Russia began Joint Sea-2025: China y Rusia comenzaron Joint Sea-2025
large-scale naval exercise: un ejercicio naval a gran escala
in the Sea of Japan: en el Mar de Japón
signaling a strengthening anti-Western military alliance: señalando el fortalecimiento de una alianza militar antioccidental
The drills include missile defense: Las maniobras incluyen defensa antimisiles
anti-submarine ops: operaciones antisubmarinas
joint patrols: patrullas conjuntas
aimed at countering U.S. global influence: con el objetivo de contrarrestar la influencia global de EE. UU.
These developments reflect a dangerous shift: Estos acontecimientos reflejan un cambio peligroso
international diplomacy: en la diplomacia internacional
where nuclear threats and military moves are now public and rapid: donde las amenazas nucleares y los movimientos militares son ahora públicos y rápidos
The China-Russia partnership: La asociación entre China y Rusia
reinforced by economic ties: reforzada por lazos económicos
shared opposition to Western policies: y una oposición compartida a las políticas occidentales
marks a coordinated challenge to global norms: marca un desafío coordinado a las normas globales
Despite being labeled "defensive": A pesar de ser etiquetadas como "defensivas"
the drills are seen by many as hybrid warfare: las maniobras son vistas por muchos como guerra híbrida
that blends military, political, and strategic signaling: que combina acciones militares, políticas y estratégicas
raising concerns about rising global instability: lo que genera preocupación por una creciente inestabilidad global

News item 3: DJ Godzi's Death in Ibiza Sparks Allegations and International Scrutiny

Italian DJ Michele Noschese, known as Godzi: El DJ italiano Michele Noschese, conocido como Godzi
died in Ibiza: murió en Ibiza
reportedly from cardiac arrest: supuestamente por un paro cardíaco
following a police encounter: tras un encuentro con la policía
His father, Giuseppe Noschese, has filed a complaint in Spain and Italy: Su padre, Giuseppe Noschese, ha presentado una denuncia en España e Italia
alleging that Civil Guard officers beat his son to death: alegando que agentes de la Guardia Civil golpearon a su hijo hasta la muerte
sent him directly to the morgue: lo enviaron directamente a la morgue
without medical attention: sin atención médica
He suspects a cover-up: Sospecha de un encubrimiento
due to delayed communication: debido a la comunicación tardía
limited media coverage: y la limitada cobertura mediática
Witness reports conflict: Los informes de los testigos son contradictorios
one claims the DJ was beaten on the ground: uno afirma que el DJ fue golpeado en el suelo
while another says he was on drugs: mientras otro dice que estaba drogado
chasing a woman: persiguiendo a una mujer
threatening a neighbor with a knife: y amenazando a un vecino con un cuchillo
The Civil Guard denies any assault: La Guardia Civil niega cualquier agresión
stating Noschese was hallucinating: afirmando que Noschese estaba alucinando
collapsed while resisting arrest: y colapsó mientras se resistía al arresto
They claim officers attempted to revive him: Afirman que los agentes intentaron reanimarlo
but he died soon after: pero falleció poco después
The case remains under investigation: El caso sigue bajo investigación
monitored by Italian diplomats: monitoreado por diplomáticos italianos
An Italian MEP has demanded clarity: Un eurodiputado italiano ha exigido claridad
The family’s calls for a second autopsy: Las peticiones de la familia para una segunda autopsia
concerns over the investigation: y las preocupaciones sobre la investigación
underscore broader issues of trust: subrayan problemas más amplios de confianza
transparency: transparencia
international oversight: y supervisión internacional
in cases of deaths in police custody: en casos de muertes bajo custodia policial

News item 4: Hungary's Geopolitical Shift Away from the EU

Once praised as a model of EU integration: Una vez elogiada como un modelo de integración de la UE
Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán: Hungría bajo el primer ministro Viktor Orbán
is now distancing itself from the European Union: ahora se está distanciando de la Unión Europea
Western liberal democratic ideals: y de los ideales democráticos liberales occidentales
Orbán promotes a vision of national sovereignty: Orbán promueve una visión de soberanía nacional
forging closer ties with Russia, China, and the BRICS bloc: forjando lazos más estrechos con Rusia, China y el bloque BRICS
Hungary remains friendly with Moscow: Hungría mantiene una relación amistosa con Moscú
prioritizing Russian energy over EU sanctions: priorizando la energía rusa por encima de las sanciones de la UE
bilateral trade in gas exceeding €6 billion in 2024: con un comercio bilateral de gas que superó los 6.000 millones de euros en 2024
It is also expanding ties with China: También está expandiendo sus lazos con China
through Belt and Road investments: a través de inversiones de la Franja y la Ruta
engaging with BRICS nations: y colaborando con las naciones BRICS
though not a full member yet: aunque aún no es miembro pleno
This pivot reflects a broader global trend: Este giro refleja una tendencia global más amplia
of countries challenging U.S.-led unipolarity: de países que desafían la unipolaridad liderada por EE. UU.
Western dominance: y la dominación occidental
Hungary’s strategy is economically driven: La estrategia de Hungría está impulsada económicamente
using Russian energy and Chinese infrastructure deals: utilizando la energía rusa y los acuerdos de infraestructura chinos
to gain independence from EU influence: para obtener independencia de la influencia de la UE
As Hungary moves away from the EU framework: A medida que Hungría se aleja del marco de la UE
it risks isolation from traditional partners: corre el riesgo de aislamiento de sus socios tradicionales
but gains flexibility and strategic alternatives: pero gana flexibilidad y alternativas estratégicas
This shift signals the emergence of a multipolar world order: Este cambio señala el surgimiento de un orden mundial multipolar
shaped by growing economic and geopolitical fragmentation: moldeado por una creciente fragmentación económica y geopolítica

News item 5: Tropical Storm Dexter

Tropical Storm Dexter is active in the Atlantic: La tormenta tropical Dexter está activa en el Atlántico
about 275 miles north-northwest of Bermuda: a unas 275 millas (440 kilómetros) al norte-noroeste de Bermudas
with sustained winds of 45 mph: con vientos sostenidos de 45 mph (75 km/h)
As of August 4, 2025: A partir del 4 de agosto de 2025
it’s moving northeast at 15 mph: se desplaza hacia el noreste a 15 mph (24 km/h)
is expected to weaken into a post-tropical cyclone: se espera que se debilite hasta convertirse en un ciclón post-tropical
later this week: a finales de esta semana
No watches or warnings are in effect: No hay alertas ni advertencias en vigor
it poses no immediate threat to land: y no representa una amenaza inmediata para la tierra
Dexter is the fourth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season: Dexter es la cuarta tormenta con nombre de la temporada de huracanes del Atlántico de 2025
forming at the same time as Tropical Storm Henriette in the Pacific: formándose al mismo tiempo que la tormenta tropical Henriette en el Pacífico
this season’s eighth named storm there: la octava tormenta con nombre de esta temporada allí
The simultaneous development of storms in both oceans: El desarrollo simultáneo de tormentas en ambos océanos
suggests global atmospheric conditions favor widespread storm activity: sugiere que las condiciones atmosféricas globales favorecen la actividad generalizada de tormentas

underlining the need for better cross-basin forecasting and preparedness: lo que subraya la necesidad de una mejor previsión y preparación entre cuencas