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City watchdogs have racked up a record £472.3m in fines in 2013, with less than a week to go. The total in the first year of the Financial Conduct Authority represents a 51 per cent increase on the £311.6m imposed in 2012, the last full year of the Financial Services Authority, which was itself a record.
And the regulator's chief enforcer warned City firms that they needed to heed the message contained in the penalties in the new year.
Tracey McDermott, the director of enforcement and financial crime, told The Independent: "The fines show the range of activity we are regulating, from a firm such as Lloyds, to individuals failing to act in the way we expect, or people pushing products consumers don't need. In all cases there is a clear link back to how this behaviour can impact on consumers.
"The fines show that where the standards that are expected are not met... the FCA will take action and I think that is an important message for the industry and consumers to hear."
The record penalty remains the £160m imposed on Swiss bank UBS for its role in the Libor fixing scandal. It came in 2012 and made up more than half of that year's total.
This year's biggest fine was the £137.6m imposed on JP Morgan, the American bank, over the activities of the trader known as the "London whale". His positions led to the bank taking $6.2bn (£3.8bn) in trading losses.
However, there were also several other substantial penalties imposed, with regulators increasingly keen to levy fines that have a real impact on firms beyond simply generating negative publicity.
Other big actions included an £87.5m fine imposed on Royal Bank of Scotland for its traders' role in the Libor scandal and a £105m penalty against the Dutch Rabobank over the same issue.
Lloyds Banking Group, referenced by Ms McDermott, was ordered to pay a record £28m over sales incentives and penalties that led one salesman to mis-sell policies to himself, his wife and a colleague to avoid automatic demotion, and resulted in widespread bad advice to customers.
Prudential, the insurer, was also told to pay an unprecedented £30m for breaching Britain's share listing rules and failing to communicate with watchdogs over its botched attempt to takeover Asian insurer AIA.
The step change in fines can be seen in the way the amount levied has mushroomed in recent years. In 2011, for example, the grand total hit just £66.1m and in 2010 it reached £89m. As recently as 2007 the total of all the fines levied by the Financial Services Authority reached just £5.31m.
A single fine for that amount would barely rate a mention in the new landscape of nine-figure fines. The new year promises further pain for the financial sector, as the Libor affair continues to wash through the system, with new probes under way into the activities of foreign exchange traders and into other previously unregulated "dark corners" in the City.
Royal Bank of Scotland has also been ordered to pay for a senior approved person to report into the activities of its Global Reconstruction Group, which handles distressed debt and was accused earlier this year by Lawrence Tomlinson, the Government's adviser, of forcing viable companies to go bust. Ross McEwan, RBS's chief executive, has denied Mr Tomlinson's most serious allegations.
- More about:
- Banking
- Insurance
- Lloyds TSB
- Mergers And Acquisitions
- Renovation
- Royal Bank Of Scotland
- The Black Market


text:
It only takes a minute to get started. Fill out our uncomplicated sign up form and login to the website.
This step is optional but will drastically raise your chances of people actually reading your profile and contacting you. Introduce yourself, your hobbies and attach a nice photograph of yourself.
Utilise our website's state-of-the-art search to uncover members who satisfy your requirements. Or just flip through listings and uncover daters that you like.
Discovered someone who you're attracted to? Send them a message or just a wink and see if anything develops. With a little luck you'll be on your way to discovering your perfect match.
It doesn't take long

subset: commoncrawl


text:
London, May 16 : British beauty Elizabeth Hurley, hubby Arun Nayar and ex beau Hugh Grant have won a lawsuit over photographs taken of them on holiday last year.
The trio were holidaying at a private resort in the Maldives when pictures of them were snapped. These were later sold to celebs magazines in October 2007.
They filed for invasion of privacy, and have now won 58,000 pounds in damages, reports the Mirror.
According to the newspaper, the High Court in London has ruled that picture agencies Big Pictures (UK) Ltd and Eliot Press SARL must not only apologise to Hurley, Nayar and Grant, but must also some of their legal costs.
Also making contributions towards the damages will be Associated Newspapers and News Group Newspapers.


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As an educator or service provider, you will find this section contains detailed information on the National Quality Framework, its implementation and how it applies to you.
The National Quality Framework raises quality and drives continuous improvement and consistency in Australian education and care services.Established in 2012, the NQF applies to most long day care, family day care, preschool/kindergarten and outside schools hours care services.
Starting Blocks is our new, family friendly resource to give parents information about early childhood education and care to help them make the best choice for their child and family. Visit the Starting Blocks website for more information.
A regulatory authority in each state and territory regulates and assesses children's education and care services. In this section regulatory authority staff will find information and resources to support their work.
Improving educator to child ratios allows staff to give more individual care and attention and contributes to better social and learning outcomes for children. Educators are able to develop more effective and meaningful relationships with children, resulting in more engaged, happy and relaxed individuals.
Improved educator to child ratios started on 1 January 2016 for services in the ACT, NSW, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria. There are no changes in Tasmania and Western Australia where the ratios were already in place.
ACECQA's mythbuster team address what's fact from fiction and dispel some of the myths around assessments and ratings, procedures, qualifications, training, educator to child ratios, applying for an Excellent rating, waivers and National Registers.
Wondering what 'actively working towards' an approved early childhood teaching (ECT) qualification means for counting towards ratios or recognition as an ECT?
The following information explains when those studying and actively working towards an ECT qualification can be counted as a certificate III or diploma holder for ratio purposes, or recognised as an ECT.


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Degrees are awarded three times a year, in October, February, and May. A candidate for any Columbia degree (except the doctoral degree) must file an application with the Office of Student Financial and Information Services, 630 West 168th Street. In the academic year, the last day to file for an October degree is August 1; for a February degree, December 1; and for a May degree, March 1. Applications received after the filing period will automatically be applied to the next conferral date.
If the student fails to earn the degree by the conferral date for which he or she has made application, the student may renew the application.
Application for Degree Form [1]
[1] http://registrar.columbia.edu/files/registrar/Application%20for%20Degree%20or%20Certificate%203%2012%2010.pdf


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"Social inequality has increased and there are growing indexes of social violence. Important mechanisms for the creation of opportunities and social integration such as universal health care and education policies have deteriorated, and at the same time salaries have dropped."
Related quotes
"the political, social and economic inequalities that provide a fertile breeding ground for exploitation by extremists."
"Another means of silently lessening the inequality of property is to exempt all from taxation below a certain point, and to tax the higher portions of property in geometric progression as they rise"
"There can be no peace as long as there is grinding poverty, social injustice, inequality, oppression, environmental degradation, and as long as the weak and small continue to be trodden by the mighty and powerful."
"People differ in capacity, skill, health, strength; and unequal fortune is a necessary result of unequal condition. Such inequality is far from being disadvantageous either to individuals or to the community."
"An earthly kingdom cannot exist without inequality of persons. Some must be free, some serfs, some rulers, some subjects."


text:
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Wait til you see this awesome property! 2411 sq ft log home, plus a nice mobile home for family to rent or kids or in-law quarters, 30 beautiful flat and cleared acres that is fenced with 36x36 4 stall barn with electric, storm cellar, pond, and huge wrap around porch. Cabin has all large rooms, all wood interior, open floor plan with very nice game room or could be 3rd bedroom. This property has it all. Beebe schools, close to Beebe or Conway. Don't miss this one! Call CSS for showing instructions.


text: Petrofac is a leading international service provider to the oil & gas production and processing industry, with a diverse customer portfolio including many of the world's leading integrated, independent and national oil & gas companies. Petrofac is quoted on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: PFC) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.The group delivers services through two divisions: Engineering, Construction, Operations & Maintenance (ECOM - comprising Onshore Engineering & Construction, Offshore Projects & Operations, Offshore Capital Projects and Engineering & Consulting Services) and Integrated Energy Services (IES). Through these divisions Petrofac designs and builds oil & gas facilities; operates, maintains and manages facilities and trains personnel; enhances production; and, where it can leverage its service capability, develops and co-invests in upstream and infrastructure projects. Petrofac's range of services meets its customers' needs across the full life cycle of oil & gas assets. With more than 15,000 employees, Petrofac operates out of seven strategically located operational centres, in Aberdeen, Sharjah, Woking, Chennai, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur and a further 24 offices worldwide. The predominant focus of Petrofac's business is on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), the Middle East and Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Asia Pacific region. For additional information, please refer to the Petrofac website at http://www.petrofac.com. For further information contact: Tulchan Communications +44(0)20-7353-4200 Stephen Malthouse Martin Robinson email@example.com SOURCE Petrofac Limited


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So I went to the student health center on Halloween (sucks to be me right) and my symptoms weren't too bad when I went in but the point of me going was to get medicine to beat the illness before it got bad.
First of all, I'm an idiot and I don't think I pressed confirm when I scheduled my appointment online so when I went to check in they had no spot for me. Sooo I had to wait around until someone was open and luckily it wasn't too too long before a doc saw me. I didn't have a temp or anything but he felt my glands were swallow and saw my throat was red. He like didn't believe I had strep though and I TOLD him I've had strep before and I know the initial signs. He said it was probably just a viral infection which cannot be treated with antibiotics because it's a virus and I'd just have to rest and drink fluids to get over it -__- He still took a culture / swab test, though, to make sure and I had to wait around 10 minutes for the rapid test to come out and then the official results would be emailed me the next day in case the rapid test wasn't right. So I'm waiting and they call me back and say it's negative for strep so I leave empty handed and am expected to just wait this out. The next day I get an email saying I was positive for group C strep, which is also what Emily found out that same day that she had too. The difference is Emily's doctors gave her medicine and mine in the email was like "this usually heals on its own so you don't really need antibiotics"… F THATTTTTT – I emailed him back and said I really wanted them so he set up my prescription. I went after class to get it and popped those babies in my mouth asap. I still wasn't feeling up to par so I didn't go out again last night
I woke up this morning and felt the same after yesterday … after getting 9 hours of sleep… so I don't know about tonight. Ahhh this sux


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kevbailey Photographer
Breaking FreeModel Female Calgary, Alberta, Canada
My MM URL: http://www.modelmayhem.com/breakingfree
Mayhem # 2815096
About MeLooking to break free from the typical portraits. I want to get as creative as we can. I am fairly new and looking for people who will make me feel comfortable in front of the camera.
I would really like to do a body painting shoot.
Have you worked with Breaking Free? Add Credits for Breaking Free! >>
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Bill Silvan Photographer
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text:
|Manufacturer Number
|Intel® Processors
|Intel® Core™ i7 X-Series Processors on LGA 2011-3 Socket
|Supports Intel® 14 nm CPU
|Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology
|* The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.
|Intel® X99
|8 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR4 3333(O.C.)/3300(O.C.)/3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2133 MHz Memory
|Quad Channel Memory Architecture
|Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
|* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.
|* Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
|Multi-GPU Support
|Supports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology
|Supports NVIDIA® 3-Way SLI™ Technology
|Supports AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology
|Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX™ Technology
|Expansion Slots
|40-Lane CPU-
|3 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or x16/x16, x8/x16/x8) *1
|28-Lane CPU-
|3 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16, x16/x8, x8/x8/x8) *2
|1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode) *3
|2 x PCIe 2.0 x1 (x1 mode) *3
|New Intel® Core™ i7 X-Series Processors :
|1 x M.2 x4 Socket 3, with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (Support PCIE SSD only)*4
|1 x U.2 port, support PCIe 3.0 x4 NVM Express storage*4
|Intel® X99 chipset :
|1 x SATA Express port, Compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
|8 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s)*5,
|Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
|Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Recovery Technology*6
|Intel® I218V, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
|Realtek® ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC featuring Crystal Sound 3
|- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
|- High quality 112 dB SNR stereo playback output (Line-out at rear) and 104 dB SNR stereo playback input (Line-in)
|- High-fidelity audio OP AMP(s)
|Audio Feature :
|- DTS Connect
|- DTS Studio Sound
|- Optical S/PDIF out port(s) at back panel
|- BD Audio Layer Content Protection
|- Audio Shielding: Ensures precision analog/digital separation and greatly reduced multi-lateral interference
|- Dedicated audio PCB layers: Separate layers for left and right channels to guard the quality of the sensitive audio signals
|- Audio amplifier: Provides the highest-quality sound for headphone and speakers
|- Premium Japanese-made audio capacitors: Provide warm, natural and immersive sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity
|- Unique de-pop circuit: Reduces start-up popping noise to audio outputs
|- Top notch audio sensation delivers according to the audio configuration
|- EMI protection cover to prevent electrical noise to affect the amplifier quality
|- Power pre-regulator: Reduces power input noise to ensure consistent performance
|USB Ports
|Intel® X99 chipset :
|5 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (1 at back panel, blue, 4 at mid-board)
|Intel® X99 chipset :
|8 x USB 2.0/1.1 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue, 4 at mid-board)
|ASMedia® USB 3.1 controller :
|2 x USB 3.1/3.0/2.0 port(s) ( at back panel, teal blue, Type-A + Type-C)
|ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller :
|3 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) ()
|Operating System Support
|Windows® 10 , 64bit
|Windows® 8.1
|Windows® 8
|Windows® 7
|Back I/O Ports
|1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port(s)
|1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
|2 x USB 3.1 ()Type-A + Type-C
|4 x USB 3.0
|4 x USB 2.0
|1 x Optical S/PDIF out
|5 x Audio jack(s)
|Internal I/O Ports
|1 x U.2 port
|1 x AAFP connector
|1 x RGB Header(s)
|2 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 3.0 port(s)
|2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
|1 x SATA Express connector: , Compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
|1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key design, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (Support PCIE SSD only)
|8 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
|1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
|1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
|2 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (2 x 4 -pin)
|1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
|1 x Thunderbolt header(s)
|1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
|1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
|1 x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
|1 x EZ XMP switch
|1 x 5-pin EXT_FAN(Extension Fan) connector
|1 x DRCT header(s)
|1 x MemOK! button(s)
|1 x Thermal sensor connector(s)
|1 x CPU OV
|1 x Power-on button(s)
|1 x Reset button(s)
|1 x Clear CMOS jumper(s)
|1 x Water Pump header (4-pin)
|1 x 14-1 pin TPM connector
|1 x COM port header
|User′s manual
|ASUS Q-Shield
|4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
|1 x M.2 Screw Package
|1 x CPU installation tool
|1 x Supporting DVD
|1 x SLI bridge(s)
|1 x Q-connector(s) (1 in 1)
|1 x Extension Cable for RGB strips (80 cm)
|Form Factor
|ATX Form Factor
|12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )
|1* PCIe x16_1 and PCIe x16_4 slots share the same bandwidth. PCIe x16_4 slot support up to x8 mode.
|2* When using a 28-lane CPU, the PCIe x16_3 slot support up to x8 mode.
|3* The PCIe x16_2 shares bandwidth with USB 3.1 and PCIe x1_2 slot. By default, the PCIe x16_2 slot automatically runs at x1 mode.
|4* M.2 shares bandwidth with U.2, only one device can be activated at a time.
|5* Due to chipset behavior, The SATA6G_78, SATA6G_910 ports (black) do not support IRST including RAID configuration.
|6* These functions will work depending on the CPU installed.
|3 Years Manufacturer Warranty
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text:
Associated Press
HARTFORD -- Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell says state job-seekers will get 13 additional weeks of unemployment compensation, increasing the maximum benefit to 72 weeks for many out-of-work residents.
Unemployment in Connecticut reached 7.3 percent in January, an increase from December's rate of 6.6 percent. The national rate is 8.1 percent.
Rell says the state's rising unemployment rate qualifies it for the extended federal benefits program. It adds 13 weeks of unemployment benefits on top of 26 weeks of state benefits and 33 weeks of federal assistance.
Rell says the federal government will fund the extended benefits for 2009 under the federal stimulus package, saving Connecticut nearly $100 million.


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The New York Times-bestselling crime writer on the importance of summing it all up.
"Once you have an idea for a book, you need to be able to sum it up in one or two sentences. For motivation, think of it as one of those brief summaries on The New York Times Bestseller List. It is my belief that if you are unable to sum your book up in twenty-five words or less, then you really don't know what your book is about, and if you don't know, you certainly can't expect your readers to figure it out."
Joy Fielding is The New York Times best-selling author of twenty-three novels, including See Jane Run, Mad River Road, and her most recent book, Now You See Her. Her next novel, Shadow Creek, will be published in January 2013. She is an Ambassador for Literacy, an initiative of ABC Life Literacy Canada.


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Boho Beaded Belt
Designed by:
Difficulty: Beginner
Beaded belts are springing up all over the High Street. Now you can create you very own using stunning crystal beads and charms of your choice for a real personal touch.
You may want to use the fantastic 1-Step Looper to make this project easier!
Please note - You may need to adjust the lengths of your chain if you require a larger size than a UK 14, or smaller than a UK 8. Measure your hips to the widest point if you are unsure and divide into 60% and 40% lengths.
Start by cutting one piece of chain approximately 40 cms long and attach to a large soldered ring with 2 jumprings. Attach a jumpring and a lobster clasp to the opposite side of the chain to the large ring.
On the other side of the ring, attach approximately 60 cms of chain and 2 jumprings (one small, one large).
Now you have the basic structure for the belt, you can begin to add your beaded strands. Thread approximately 28 cms of crystal beads onto wire (mix all of your crystal beads up). Attach with a crimp to the soldered ring on one side, and crimp into a jumpring attached onto the chain on the other side,
The second strand sits underneath the first strand and needs to be slightly larger. Thread on crystals to approximately 40 cms of wire. Add in crystal drops at even marks to create the pattern as seen in the picture. Crimp on both sides, one onto the soldered ring and the other onto a jumpring attached to the chain (further along than the first strand of beads).
To create the 'dangles' on the focal ring;
Charm dangle - Thread 6 crystal beads onto a headpin, trim and loop both ends. Attach this dangle to a large jumpring, then your charm (attached with 2 smaller jumprings). Use a large jumpring to attach this to the soldered ring.
Crystal drop dangle - Thread 6 crystal beads onto a headpin, trim and loop both ends. Repeat this once and attach the two pieces together. Add a drop crystal bead using a small piece of wire and two crimp beads forming a small loop. Attach the drop with a small jumpring. Attach the newly joined pieces to a large jumpring and add to the large ring.
Make sure you get the materials you need to create this design yourself! Click the button below to add everything you need to your basket in one go. You can edit the list too just in case you want to make more than one, or you already have some supplies at home.Get the items you need to make this