California Central News Agency [CLOSED]

[Sengoku Americas]

California Central News Agency

The California Central News Agency, a subdivision of the Ministry of Culture of the Her Majesty the Empress's People's Government of the Socialist Republic of California, is dedicated to bringing updated and accurate information about various events and ongoings both domestic and international to the Californian people and the broader global community.

[Sengoku Americas]

캘리포니아日報 California Daily
News: Empress Park applauds success of "69-1" Programme.

2070, February 15th.

Visiting the outer Santa Barbara communal farms today, Empress Park gave a speech acclaiming the success of the "69-1 Programme" first phase of construction. The 69-1 programme had been her most important domestic policy of 2069, and reflected her desire to increase self-sufficiency of agricultural products ranging from rice to strawberries. As part of the plan, nearly 20,000 greenhouses were to be deployed over 2,000 square kilometres of land, increasing plant yields by anywhere from 30 to 100%, allowing for double planting seasons, and realising the dream of reducing reliance on foreign food imports drastically. Today, on schedule and only slightly over budget, the final greenhouse was placed in Santa Barbara, next to other compartments which have been operating for months.

Empress Park noted that "adapting to material conditions", one of her main ideological approaches to solving California's security and industrial needs, would continue to be emphasised through the next year. She also promised increased production of consumer goods to fulfill a supply deficit that has existed for several years now, aiming to solve the problem entirely in three years.

Kim Yeonsu and Anastasia White contributed reporting from Los Angeles.

[Sengoku Americas]

캘리포니아日報 California Daily
News: Empress Park, Premier Kato enjoy afternoon coffee

2070, February 20th

Her Majesty the Empress Hyeja Park invited Premier Charlotte Kato from the People's Republic of Cascadia for coffee and desserts today at the private gardens by Empress Park's royal residence, The Grand Mansion. This move is widely believed to be returning the favour from when Premier Kato had invited her to a dinner party last month in Vancouver at the Premier's apartment.

Smiling and basking in the warm February sun, the two of them held a constructive dialogue during afternoon coffee time over various subjects which impact our motherland and her northern neighbour including economic development, mutual defense against foreign powers, and exchanging technological advancements. Empress Park thanked Premier Kato for her cooperation on those issues, as well as her for gift from last time of a Cascadian-designed fall coat, one the Empress has become fond of. Empress Park reciprocated with a gift basket of her own that included various skincare products, fine coffee harvested from Los Angeles Communes, sparkling wine, and a small ruby brooch. Premier Kato was reportedly overjoyed to receive the gift.

The two of them are scheduled to meet again on the 1st of March at Premier Kato's Vancouver apartment for dinner, where the Premier has promised to cook her "super secret" five cheese udon and meatball recipe.

Kim Yongsu and Victoria Adams contributed reporting from Pomona.

[Sengoku Americas]

캘리포니아日報 California Daily
News: National meat consumption remains low

2070, February 20th

Speaking before reporters today, the Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Economic Planning reported on our nation's consumption of various foodstuffs in the past year by category and by gross amount. One major revelation was the discrepancies between expected demand and supply for goods such as beef, pork, and chicken, with demand and consumption being low for meats coming from those animals. Instead, it appears most of the population has shifted in their preference to increase intake of tofu, fish, eggs, lamb, and seaweed. Analysts claim that Empress Park's public fondness for tofu and egg products was partly responsible, as formerly ignored sources of protein are now seen as more fashionable. Reportedly, researchers creating insect protein powder are now trying to convince Her Majesty the Empress to promote their product in public as well, which they believe would further increase land productivity.

[Sengoku Americas]

캘리포니아日報 California Daily
Opinion: Rural healthcare measures must be prioritised

2070, February 25th

Our nation has seen great increases in lifespan, living standards, and general levels of health in the past two decades, partly due to expansion of healthcare access following the institution of a nationalised healthcare service. However, there remains work to be done ahead of us. Recent figures continue to show that healthcare usage, doctor quality, and equipment quality in rural areas continues to lag significantly behind those of urban areas. To provide healthcare to all persons was an excellent first step that removed many class disparities, but still reinforced geographic disparities. Our work will not be done until all citizens receive the level of convenient, targeted care they require to achieve healthy lifestyles and excellent physical and mental conditions.

Let every healthcare worker and rural party cadre hold dear the words of Empress Park Hyeja : "Devote our hearts and minds to the struggle of ensuring good quality healthcare access and treatment throughout the Socialist Republic of California, and prioritise the improvement of healthcare in our rural regions for the sake of unified development!"

Kojyo Emi and Isabella Bookchin authored this article, which does not necessarily represent the views of CCNA

[Sengoku Americas]

캘리포니아日報 California Daily
News: Foreign policy to to become more involvement oriented

2070, February 26th

Her Majesty the Empress Hyeja Park visited the site of UC Santa Barbara yesterday to give a speech on the foreign relations of the Socialist Republic of California and outline the shifts in our nations foreign policy.

She remarked that "Comrades must work with all their might for contributions not only to our home, but also for the sake of preserving, fostering, expanding, and supporting the international socialist movement from all other nations." Empress Park also made clear her ideals on alliances with other socialist and likeminded nations, stating "The protection of comrades and their homelands, even if far away, is to be prioritised as the defense of our own motherland."

This marks a change from the previous five years of pursuing foreign alliances for economic purposes without dedicating military support.

Kojyo Emi and Isabella Bookchin contributed reporting from Santa Barbara

[Sengoku Americas]

캘리포니아日報 California Daily
News: Street protests over Empress's eating habits

2070, March 2nd

Massive protests broke out today in the streets of Los Angeles Province after Her Majesty the Empress Park Hyeja was seen using a fork to eat cheese udon and meatballs, a move which is highly controversial. Over 10,000 protestors in favour of the "chopstick clique" marched in various districts since early morning, but were soon met by "fork gang" counterprotestors numbering in the thousands as well. Although the protests remained peaceful, more protesting is expected tomorrow and in days ahead as two factions display their support or opposition to Empress Park's eating habits.

The proper method of eating cheese udon and meatballs remains highly disputed ever since they were first introduced to California several years ago by Premier Kato of Cascadia. While Premier Kato herself as well as most citizens of Cascadia advocate for eating with a pair of chopsticks, nearly half of Californians say they prefer to eat with forks. One reason may be a fundamental difference in how Californians and Cascadians view the dish, while nearly 56% of Californians call cheese udon and meatballs a "western-style" or "Italian-style" food, 72% of Cascadians call it "mostly Japanese with some western influences."

When asked to comment, Empress Park merely replied "It is necessary to consider one's available utensils and adapt to the circumstances."

[Sengoku Americas]

캘리포니아日報 California Daily
News: Collaboration album widely popular

2070, March 5th

A collaboration album between our Empress Hyeja Park and Premier Charlotte Kato from the People's Republic of Cascadia has proven to be widely popular. Their CD, named "Journey of Melody", was produced and distributed in a joint effort between their two nations and features a total of 11 tracks including 5 piano solos by Premier Kato, 2 violin solos by Empress Park, and 4 violin piano duets by both of them. Many included pieces are arrangements or covers of well known classics such as Strauss's Op.314 "Blue Danube" and Liszt's "Liebensraum No.3", but there are also more contemporary pieces as well.

Critics have given mostly positive reviews with some noting Empress Park and Premier Kato's interpretations of pieces are "vivid and emotional", not to be unexpected given both of them are experienced and well trained classical musicians. A total of 1 million copies have been distributed thus far, with many more choosing to use streaming services to listen while they wait for more disks to be released and made available.

[Sengoku Americas]

캘리포니아日報 California Daily
News: Renown scientist retires

2070, March 10th

Yesterday, renowned and widely respected scientist Dr. William Petrov finally retired at age of 65 after nearly forty years of research on the frontlines of medicine. He served as the director of research teams for various medicines and vaccinations such as California's first lung cancer vaccine KB-1 and the world's first breast cancer vaccine KB-2C. His contributions in anti-cancer research alone are estimated to have saved at least 20 million lives in the past decade worldwide, and have earned him the highest honours from various nations including California's most prestigious Hero of the Socialist Republic and Order of the Lily.

Despite his fame and prestige, Dr. Petrov remained incredibly humble and worked tirelessly alongside his lab assistants, staying in his lab even on weekends. Even if his family urged him to take a break, he always replied: "I would love to take time off as much as anyone else, but how can I rest easy when there are so many people who require aid?" Under his leadership and thanks to his efforts, the treatable has become preventable, and the untreatable has become treatable.

When asked about his plans following retirement, he told reporters: "I will remain always ready if my nation needs me. "

[Sengoku Americas]

캘리포니아日報 California Daily
News: Decentralisation, dissolution dates suggested

2070, March 16th

Yesterday evening Her Majesty the Empress Park Hyeja revealed for the first time her non-legislative, non-binding proposal regarding decentralisation and eventual dissolution of the Socialist Republic of California entirely, an announcement which came to the great surprise of many observers. Speaking to media, she remarked that devolution of power to communal and regional command structures would begin as soon as 2080, with the goal of abolishment of central government organs and bureaucracy entirely by next century. Furthermore, she expressed her support for speeding up of each region's self-sufficiency programmes as much as possible in an effort to reach this goal even sooner.

Opposition to the reforms were immediate, including from the ruling coalition's Physiocratic Socialist Party as well as several other major and minor parties. In a surprising twist of fate, some of Her Majesty's perpetual critics- the Anarchist Party and Green Party from Her Majesty the Empress's People's Government's Most Loyal Opposition- have now turned into the greatest supporters of this legislation. Anarchist Party leader Tenor Williams welcomed the move and he noted "the abolition of government has been highest priority for us anarchists, and we welcome the Empress's decision", but thanks to limited support from most members of Parliament, any actual legislation is unlikely to pass for now.

Undeterred, this morning Empress Park added to her previous statement that she was "still in negotiations with various members of Parliament."

[Sengoku Americas]

캘리포니아日報 California Daily
News: Political analysts believe youth turnout will determine Californian election results

2070, March 19th

With less than three days remaining until the next national election in California, political pundits have begun to forecast results. The Physiocratic Socialist Party which won the last election in a landslide remains popular and enjoys decent approval ratings of over 70%. However, its support has been waning among certain demographics including under-30s, which happens to be the same age group turning towards current members of Her Majesty the Empress's Most Loyal Opposition such as the Democratic Socialists, Greens, and Anarchists. Meanwhile, the Liberal Conservatives and Monarchy Royalists from Her Majesty the Empress's Most Loyal Independents have also tried to gain voters, though with limited success.

Political analysts have predicted the following distribution for the 3rd Session of Her Majesty the Empress's People's Government's Parliament once workers check the ballots from all eligible Californian voters on Friday evening.

Physiocratic Socialist: 29 seats (-2)
New Reform: 4 seats
Democratic Socialists: 12 seats (+2)
Green: 10 seats (+3)
Anarchist: 4 seats (-1)
Liberal Conservative: 4 seats (-2)
Monarchy Royalist: 0 seats (no change)

As the total amount of MPs remains unchanged at 63, it is believed the Physiocratic Socialists will be able to form their governing coalition quite easily.

[Sengoku Americas]

캘리포니아日報 California Daily
News: "Unusual" political parties gain popularity in Cascadia, California

2070, March 22nd

Our northern neighbours in Cascadia are no strangers to having a plethora of political parties spanning the spectrum, but recent trends of "unusual" political parties have become noteworthy even for citizens used to odd ideologies. Perhaps the most interesting and chaotic is the "Hokkaido Unification Party", created with the sole purpose of having Hokkaido become Cascadia's 12th province. The party was founded -some say in jest- when an angry pastry chef upset with import tariffs on Hokkaido milk products such as butter, cream, and cheese created the movement "to lower tariffs by removing the borders between Cascadia and Hokkaido." Surprisingly, the party gained its first seat in the Cascadian People's Congress in 2067, and has been polling at nearly 5% in various districts where cakes consumption is high.

Perhaps inspired by our Cascadian friends, a youth group in Los Angeles Province has created their own political party named the "Belgium Unification Party." As one might expect, they aim to unify Belgium with California to remove import duties on Belgian chocolate. The party will be running in the national elections to be held on 31st of March.

[Sengoku Americas]

캘리포니아日報 California Daily
News: Island dispute solved

2070, March 26th

The chain of islands known as "Reverie Islands" existing between Californian and Cascadian waters had long been claimed by both nations ever since their independence from the former United States. And despite all efforts to settle this dispute, the problem remained unresolved for well over thirty years. Even as California and Cascadia grew inseparable in their political, societal, and economic ties, the islands remained a thorny talking point which neither side wished to concede.

A solution to the island dispute was finally found yesterday, when at 15:00 local time the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from our nation and Ministry of International Affairs from Cascadia issued a joint declaration regarding the future of the islands. Noting that the dispute could be solved easily if the islands themselves ceased to exist, both sides agreed to submerge the islands underwater permanently. Just two hours later, seven aircraft from the Californian People's Army carrying nearly 100,000 kg of bombs joined with their counterparts from Cascadia in carpet bombing the islands. By midnight the islands had vanished under sea level entirely, and by 01:00 this morning all traces of the islands were completely gone, leading both nations to declare the initiative was a great success.

Upon hearing of this event, the governments of Japan, United Communes of Northern China, and the People's Republic of Korea also signed a compact which would "vaporise every island in the East China Sea."

[Sengoku Americas]

캘리포니아日報 California Daily
News: Physiocratic Socialist Party to lead new coalition government

2070, April 5th

Following the reporting of results from elections held on the 31st of March this year, the Physiocratic Socialist Party remains in control of Her Majesty the Empress's Most Loyal People's Government. Despite their coalition partners having lost several seats, the Physiocratic Socialists and their allies the New Reformists retain 30 seats and 3 seats respectively, just over half of the total in Parliament.

Kim Yeonsu and Anastasia White contributed reporting from Los Angeles.