As a military ruler in the 70's, he took the rare step of passing power to a freely elected successor.

The Mashours took the rare step of sending their girls abroad to study.

"In some places this is such a rare step," she said.

In response to the criticism, the government formed the judicial panel - a rare step, taken under unexpected public pressure.

The local commander took the rare step of throwing the accused in jail, clinic workers said, but who knew for how long.

It was a rare step for a project with such a respectable pedigree.

In a step rare for any students of the mid-19th century, Bassett attended college in his home state.

In a rare step, 2 of the central bank's 12 voting members opposed the decision to hold rates steady.

But Strahan's status was addressed in full yesterday - a rare step for any team.

Pakistan took the rare step of issuing an official rebuttal.