One such tempting ball of yarn even led to a hand covered in band-aids.

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But the business model of the cruise industry is: Strike up the band and hand out the daiquiris, the cruise must go on.

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As an example of his community spirit, the jeweler recalled a gentleman who visited the store recently, explaining that his daughter, in labor at Lenox Hill Hospital a few blocks south, couldn't get her wedding band off her swollen hand and was in extreme pain.

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Rear Adm Steve Brunton presented Leading Hand Claire Butler with the first "cap tally" band for her hat with the carrier's name on it.

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Instead, a simple band studded with black diamonds or black jade, worn on the right hand's ring finger, can add some oomph to a suit while still being appropriate, he says.

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Frank Field, the former minister who led the successful campaign for a U-turn on the 10p tax band, said ministers should welcome backbench pressure as it would strengthen their hand in negotiations.

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