It is not ordinary citizens but rich tycoons from Hollywood or Silicon Valley, or special interests such as unions for prison guards, teachers or nurses, that bankroll most initiatives onto the ballots.

ECONOMIST: California

Much of the food that comes from abroad, comes on "reefers", special refrigerated ships, or in refrigerated containers on ordinary ships.

BBC: Blue sky

To the certain special items that last week were ordinary everyday things which now take on great significance when found whole or in part among the rubble.

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