Latest news with #Romero
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mason Roberson destroyed his phone and vanished
(NewsNation) — A year after their 16-year-old son stormed out of the house and broke his phone, one couple is hoping he is still alive after two mysterious texts sent to his mother. From fishing trips around the family home in Anchorage, Alaska, to annual Hawaiian vacations, the Robersons were the picture of a happy family. Especially in the magical time before teen hormones and ADHD made everything feel harder for son Mason Roberson. Missing California woman, 31, found dead in Arizona 'We do everything together, trying to eat a meal every day together, and doing lots of road trips,' said Marti Romero, Mason's mother. But Mason's smiles also masked pain. 'Mason's had quite a bit of loss in his life,' Romero said. 'He lost a brother, he lost some aunts and uncles at a young age, and he was really questioning, 'Why does this kind of thing happen to one family so much?'' His parents learned Mason had turned to the family liquor cabinet for relief. 'I think the alcohol, as he explained it to us, was a numbing agent for him. It made him not as depressed. It made him not think about all of those bad things,' Romero said. Still, Mason's parents couldn't condone his actions. 'We're not going to just let somebody who's having issues with alcohol and who is a minor drink. We can't,' Romero said. Madeleine McCann search back on, 18 years after disappearance The issue came to a head on May 18, 2024, early in the morning when Mason's father, David Roberson, confronted him. 'I went down to the kitchen and he was heating up some pizza in a microwave, and he was visibly impaired, and so I asked him about it, and he threw his plate of pizza and broke it and stormed downstairs, where his room is,' Romero said. Soon, Mason's parents realized he had gone out the basement door and he wasn't answering their messages. A neighbor's Ring camera recorded Mason staggering down the street, where he sent a final text to his family saying, 'I genuinely don't need you.' Then, he destroyed his phone. 'He goes behind a tree, but you can clearly hear that Mason breaks his phone. He slams it against the ground, and it makes quite a loud pop,' Roberson said. Jonathan Hoang disappeared without his wallet, jacket Mason's mother has a theory about what happened. 'My theory has always been that he's with somebody that he met online, who he knew, if he had his phone with him, he could be tracked or traced, and that's not what he wanted,' Romero said. Even then, the Robersons expected Mason to return home any minute. 'I seriously thought, okay, he's going to blow off steam, he's going to sober up, and he's going to come home,' Romero said. 'Mason's a kid who didn't spend a lot of time away from home. He didn't spend the night at friends' houses. Never in a million years did I think he would not come back.' Searches of the surrounding area yielded no clues. Then, six months later, the family was shocked when Romero received a text. 'So on Mason's 17th birthday, which was Nov. 1, I received a text about seven o'clock in the morning,' Romero said. 'It basically said, long time, no see. I hope you are all right.' The saying 'long time, no see,' was one the family used as a joke when Mason would come up from the basement. But when Romero texted the unknown number back, she got no answer. Then, just weeks ago, around Mother's Day, she received another text, from a different number, asking how her day was and if she had some fun. Father found dead, daughter missing after they went hiking on mountain in Maine Were the texts from Mason? Or just a simple 'wrong number' text scam? 'Usually, when you have a person who either wants money or is just a troll, there's communication back and forth, and it just ended there,' Romero said. 'Without having a phone, without having a wallet, without having an ID, without having any money, there has to be a person who he was planning on getting some assistance from,' Romero said. If Mason is out there, they have a message for him. 'We want Mason to know how much we love him unconditionally and that we recognize that he might not want to be home, but we just want to talk to him. We want to make sure he's safe,' Romero said. What happens to Diddy's $400 million fortune if he's found guilty? For Mason's father, the message has roots in his own experience. 'I left home at 17 myself, you know. I went back a couple times, I didn't leave like this,' Roberson said. 'But just to communicate would be enough at this moment.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New-look Toyota Aygo X gains 74mpg hybrid; drops manual
Toyota has given the Aygo X an aggressive new look and a hybrid powertrain that is claimed to emit the least CO2 of any non-plug-in car in Europe. The brand's smallest and most affordable car has adopted the same 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid powertrain that is used in the larger Yaris, sending up to 114bhp through the front wheels. This is enough to send the Aygo X from 0-62mph in less than 10sec – a significant improvement on the previous 14.9sec. And, product manager Cesar Romero told Autocar, it will yield fuel efficiency in excess of 74mpg, pending official WLTP testing. The existing 71bhp 1.0-litre three-pot, which traces its lineage back to the original Aygo of two decades ago, is being removed from the line-up, and the option of a manual gearbox goes with it; the Aygo X is now fitted with the Yaris's CVT-like epicyclic automatic as standard. In addition to the much-improved performance of the hybrid, two key motivators for the older lump's removal from the line-up are the UK's zero-emission vehicle mandate and fleet CO2 emissions targets. The ZEV mandate contains a provision that allows car manufacturers to convert reductions in their total CO2 outputs into de facto 'sales' of electric cars, giving them extra flexibility to meet EV sales targets. Every 167g/km of CO2 cut from a firm's total output in any given year can be converted into one ZEV 'sale', meaning they have to sell one less electric car to meet compliance targets – or they can sell an extra petrol, diesel or hybrid car within their limit. This is particularly relevant for the Aygo. It is one of Toyota's best-selling models in the UK, and the new hybrid system emits significantly less CO2 than the previous petrol engine. It's rated at 86g/km, a reduction of 23g. For reference, the rival MG 3 Hybrid+ emits 100g/km. Autocar understands that Toyota sold some 14,000 examples of the city car in the UK last year. Had those all been the new hybrid, Toyota would have been able to sell in excess of 2000 additional ICE cars while remaining within its limit. Separately from the ZEV mandate, such a significant reduction would have given Toyota crucial leeway in its fleet emissions targets: it would have offset the total output of nearly 1600 GR Yarises (rated at 215g/km) or 1400 Land Cruisers (240g/km). The uprated powertrain will, however, bring an increase in cost. Toyota has yet to confirm numbers, but Romero said: "What we're targeting is, especially on a monthly payment, the total cost of ownership. Fuel consumption of the vehicle will be much lower than for the current car, thanks to the hybrid powertrain. We expect the step [in overall costs] not to be so big." For reference, the current pure-petrol Aygo X starts at £16,485, while the Yaris opens at £23,445. Inside, the new Aygo X features a series of subtle changes. The outgoing car's analogue speedometer and rev counter are swapped for a small digital instrument screen, and there is now a pair of USB-C ports below the climate control panel. An infrared sensor is now mounted on the steering rack (for the EU-mandated driver attention monitoring system) and there are updated buttons on the steering wheel for the speed limit-warning and lane-keeping systems. Toyota has also added more sound deadening around the dashboard and under the bonnet, and the exhaust has been reworked to improve refinement. Higher trim levels will get yet more soundproofing and thicker window glass. The first examples of the new Aygo X are due in the UK early next year. The new GR Sport trim (pictured above) aims to imbue the sensible Aygo X with more dynamic appeal, bringing with it a stiffer chassis and quicker steering. A full-fat GR model isn't planned, however; Toyota says the new hybrid powertrain's 114bhp – yielding a power-to-weight ratio similar to that of the old VW Up GTI and Fiat Panda 100HP – is sufficient to make it fun to drive. ]]>
Axios
19 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
Richmond's Amtrak trains are fuller — and slower
While more people than ever are hopping aboard an Amtrak train in Virginia, train delays in the state seem to be getting worse. Why it matters: The on-time performance (OTP) rate for trains along the Northeast Regional line in Virginia — the line that runs through Richmond — is down 10% from fiscal year 2019, according to an Axios review of rail stats. The big picture: Like many travel sectors, Amtrak has been experiencing a post-pandemic surge in ridership. Last year, the rail company set an all-time ridership record nationwide with 32.8 million passengers hopping aboard a train in the last fiscal year. But its OTP has been ticking down overall, dropping from 80% in 2020 to 74% in 2022 and 2023, according to the most recent stats from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Zoom in: The Richmond corridor's OTP has been closer to 70% in recent years, slightly higher than the 69% for the whole Northeast Regional line, per Virginia Passenger Rail Authority data. That OTP comes as the Virginia Amtrak routes just set another all-time ridership record, this time for April. By the numbers: Thus far this year, Richmond's OTP is 65.4%, lower than the 71.9% for all Virginia Amtrak routes. In 2024, Richmond's OTP was 71% vs. 72.3% on all Virginia routes. In 2023, Richmond's OTP was 75.6%. The state's: 74.3%. ✈️ For comparison, the Richmond airport's on-time rate for departures is at 79% thus far this year, per the latest Bureau of Transportation Statistics data. It was 80% or higher for the previous five years. The fine print: The Richmond corridor includes all trains between D.C. and Richmond, Karina Romero with VPRA tells Axios. VPRA tracks OTP by the calendar year, while Amtrak does it by fiscal year. And according to both, OTP represents the percentage of stations where a train arrives within 15 minutes of its scheduled arrival time, Romero says. Between the lines: There are multiple reasons trains end up running late, including accommodating more riders, but the most common in Virginia tends to be heat restrictions, Romero says. That's because hot weather and the rail's steel lines do not mix well. Other issues that can delay trains include winter weather and, critically, interference from freight trains, which share tracks with Amtrak. In Virginia, two big freight lines, CSX and Norfolk Southern, also happen to own most of the tracks, too. Plus, there can be a domino effect. If a train is delayed heading south out of D.C., which is often where the Virginia bottleneck starts, it'll be delayed the rest of the way through Richmond. Yes, but: There's hope to speed up those trains.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ex-Democratic leader warns party is 'dying' as key issues leave voters wanting 'new way forward'
Former California Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero warned Tuesday that the party she once called home is "on its last stand," accusing its members of abandoning common sense and core American values in favor of identity politics. "It is a dying party. It will go the way of the Whigs in a century past," she said while appearing on "Fox & Friends First." "The new way forward is an America-first party, the Republican Party under Donald Trump… This is really a new party, and it's one that recognizes that borders matter, citizenship matters, safety for all [matters]. We care about the content of one's character much more than we care about the color of our skin, and across the board… we are there together to say, 'Stop the nonsense. Speak common sense.'" Former Democrat Hill Staffers Challenge The Aging Establishment In Congress: Report Romero said many former Democrats – Tulsi Gabbard, Leo Terrell, RFK, Jr. and herself included – tried to be voices for reform within the party, but saw the writing on the wall and ultimately resigned themselves to leaving altogether. Her comments lambasting Democrats came after Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman bucked his party over the border and antisemitism during a Fox Nation-hosted debate with his Republican colleague Sen. Dave McCormick on Monday. Read On The Fox News App "Antisemitism [is] out of control… Building tent cities on a campus and terrorizing and intimidating Jewish students – that's not free speech, and now we've lost the argument in parts of my party," he conceded. Biden Cover-up Scandal Could Usher In New Era Of Republican Dominance "Our party did not handle the border appropriately. Look at the numbers: 267,000, 300,000 people showing up at our border. Now that's unacceptable and that's a national security issue and that is chaos." Romero applauded the Keystone State lawmakers for showcasing a commitment to working across the aisle in a way she wishes more politicians would consider. "Sadly, Democrats are still caught in that web, the ideology of identity politics, and it [working across the aisle] has not yet taken root," she Here To Join Fox Nation "They still stand up and scream that everybody's a Nazi, everybody's racist. Or still defend open borders, deny the rampant antisemitism, and refuse to stand up for America first. But hopefully, with the Fetterman-McCormick discussion debate, I hope it really sends a message across the country that this is what the American people want – for our elected officials to grow up, to listen to each other, and work with each other for Americans."Original article source: Ex-Democratic leader warns party is 'dying' as key issues leave voters wanting 'new way forward'
Cosmopolitan
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Strawberry perfumes are trending for summer 2025, here are 10 of the best that won't sour quickly
Fruity fragrances are nothing new. I spend more time than I'd like to admit wandering Sephora's perfume aisles, where I always find a wide range of fruity scents packed with notes like citrus, pear, apple, and cherry. Even though there's no shortage of fruit-forward options, I noticed strawberry notes were difficult to come by... Until recently. All of a sudden, fresh strawberry scents have been appearing left and right – by my tally, five have launched so far this year – and it seems like the berry has become the bona fide 'it girl' of the perfume world. What gives? "Strawberry is having a total renaissance in fragrance," says Gustavo Romero, founder of the Fragrance Alliance Network. "We're in this wave of nostalgic, playful beauty—think TikTok's obsession with coquette aesthetics and the collective craving for dopamine-inducing scents after years of minimalist 'clean girl' perfumes. Strawberry fits right in. It's fun, recognisable, and instantly mood-boosting," explains Romero. Strawberry scents have technically been around for years. I even grew up dousing myself in a candied strawberry mist from Bath & Body Works. That said, perfumers have finally found a way to make strawberry smell greener, juicier, and more life-like, which gives the note newfound sophistication. The process hasn't been simple or straightforward, mainly because strawberries don't produce essential oil. "Perfumers have to build their scent profile using a cocktail of aroma molecules," explains Romero, and he says there's a very fine line between producing the scent of vine-ripe berries versus a scratch-and-sniff strawberry sticker. When I spoke with Phlur's creative director, Chriselle Lim, at the launch of Strawberry Letter last year, she told me the perfume took years to develop due to the berry's finicky nature. "Strawberry is a beautiful, vibrant note, but it can be tricky to get just right," she says. "It has a natural tartness that can lean too sharp or sour if it's not balanced properly. The key is in the layering, you have to pair strawberry notes with ones that enhance the fruit's juiciness without overpowering it." Romero emphasises the fact that it's not just a matter of engineering the perfect strawberry note. "If you don't balance the tartness with something creamy or warm, it can lean sharp or sour," he says. "On top of that, strawberry is volatile—it smells juicy and delicious at first, but it can fade quickly on the skin if other ingredients do not support it." And now that perfumers have started to master that delicate balancing act, we're seeing more strawberry scents that are bright and airy, as well as some that are jammy and rich rather than perfumes that are nothing more than syrupy sweet. "Strawberry notes are often sweet and colourful on the skin, reminiscent of a natural strawberry," says DSM-Firmenich perfumer Berenice Watteau. "Some can have a jam-like and appetising effect, while others could be a bit fresher and slightly tart, like an apple." It all depends on your body chemistry—remember, all scents will smell a little different on everyone, as well as the other notes that make up the finished perfume. "When mixed with vanilla, strawberry becomes creamy, sensual, and totally addictive," explains Watteau. "As for florals, strawberry can either amplify the flower's natural sweetness or add a touch of bright, fruity colour to the overall scent." Strawberry can even take on a more sultry identity when paired with warm woods or spices, like oud and pink pepper. Research shows that people continue to look for fragrances that feel nostalgic, comforting, and joyful. "Humans are naturally drawn to scents that make them feel good, and strawberry, with its inherent sweetness and joy-evoking qualities, perfectly fits that role," says Watteau. Lucky for you, the best strawberry perfumes are ripe for the picking just in time for spring. Whether you want to smell like a blooming strawberry field or a succulent strawberry shortcake, you'll find your perfect strawberry match below.
