But set against the difficulties and meannesses were heroism, kindness and a sisterly pleasure in other women's triumphs.

ECONOMIST: British bluestockings

Shakespeare's "King Lear, " in contrast, takes the darkest possible view of sisterly relations.

WSJ: Lucinda Rosenfeld, Author of The Pretty One, on Sisters | Word Craft

If Shakespeare's blistering view shows the devastation that sisterly resentments can wreak, Jennifer Weiner's 2002 best seller "In Her Shoes" portrays how such resentments can coexist with pity and resignation.

WSJ: Lucinda Rosenfeld, Author of The Pretty One, on Sisters | Word Craft

Neighbouring Syria, bitterly shunned by the parliamentary majority because of its long legacy of meddling, is again, officially, an influential sisterly state: Lebanese authorities have even begun harassing Syrian dissidents, for whom Beirut has long been a haven.

ECONOMIST: Resilient Lebanon

That the defendants have written and circulated false documents which are being used by the International Community, especially Great Britain and the United States of America to support their allegation that the Government of Liberia is involved with Diamond Trading and Gun Running in the sisterly state of Sierra Leone.

BBC: News Online