This is a continuing series of posts that will highlight newly-verified brands, celebrities and persons of interest on Twitter.

Twitter verifies accounts to prove authenticity of identity. That is, the little blue verified badge is added to profiles that are at a high risk of impersonation to prove to other users that this person or brand is who they say they are. Occasionally Twitter makes a mistake, but, for the most part the system works, and the blue tick carries a lot of weight.

(Looking to get verified? Learn more about how, when and why Twitter verifies profiles here.)

In total, 45,573 profiles have now been verified on Twitter, which is a rise of 736 since last week. In this article we will look at recently-verified brand and celebrity profiles of note.

This week’s top five:

Financial Times (@FT)

Death in Singapore: a matter of #US security? FT investigates a young man’s fate on.ft.com/YjD9wH @ftweekendmag twitter.com/FT/status/3024…

— Financial Times (@FT) February 15, 2013

Bio: All the big stories on FT.com and updates from our news editors.
Followers: 738,618

Yeardley Smith (@YeardleySmith)

The Capital!!! twitter.com/YeardleySmith/…

— Yeardley Smith (@YeardleySmith) December 15, 2012

Bio: Actress, shoe designer, author, insomniac, perpetual student. Thoughts become things.
Followers: 5,847

Met Office (@metoffice)

A photo of an unusual weather phenomena – snow rollers. Cylinders of snow, formed and rolled along by the wind. twitter.com/metoffice/stat…

— Met Office (@metoffice) February 11, 2013

Bio: The official UK Met Office account for weather and climate information, news and jobs. Be #weatheraware follow @metofficeUKfor weather warnings.
Followers: 118,799

Irvine Welsh (@WelshIrvine)

Americans: not for me to tell you your business…but Valentine cards to parents…right. Got ye. *Euro flight time* twitter.com/WelshIrvine/st…

— Irvine Welsh (@WelshIrvine) February 13, 2013

Bio: “Welsh writes with a skill, wit and compassion that amounts to genius. He is the best thing that has happened to British writing for decades” – Sunday Times
Followers: 60,419

Hed Kandi (@HedKandi)

Look what we’ve dug out. Get your reasons why you #lovehk in and we’ll send the best answers a copy of #lovehk! twitter.com/HedKandi/statu…

— HedKandi (@HedKandi) February 14, 2013

Bio: Welcome to Hed Kandi – record label, radio show, international club sensation and more.
Followers: 26,706

Other verified brands of note:

TechRader (@techradar)

Bio: Consumer technology news and reviews.
Followers: 43,921

ABC News 24 (@ABCNews24)

Bio: This account details #ABCNews24’s live coverage, guests and programs.
Followers: 39,698

Soccer Saturday (@Soccersaturday)

Bio: Official Twitter page for Soccer Saturday.
Followers: 12,198

MailOnline Sport (@MailOnlineSport)

Bio: Breaking news, outstanding content and columnists (Samuel, Redknapp, Keown, Neville, Carragher) and the chance to have YOUR say. Let them know what you think
Followers: 12,063

Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup)

Bio: Official account of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Join the conversation with #cwc15
Followers: 919

Evening Standard (@EveningStandard)

Bio: Official account of the London Evening Standard, tweeting the most important news, sport, arts and more.
Followers: 823

Other verified celebrities of note:

Laurie Holden (@Laurie_Holden)

Bio: Actor, story teller, and human rights activist.
Followers: 78,947

Afroman (@afromanmusic)

Bio: We all went to jail,because we got high!!!
Followers: 5,199

Thin Lizzy (@ThinLizzy_)

Bio: Thin Lizzy are one of the most recognizable names in music.
Followers: 3,809

Allman Brothers Band (@allmanbrothers)

Bio: Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall-of-Famers, the Allman Brothers Band have been enthralling audiences with jazz-influenced blues rock jams since 1969…
Followers: 3,693

Harry Connick, Jr. (@HarryConnickJR)

Bio: Singer & Actor
Followers: 2,424

Nancy Cartwright (@nancycartwright)

Bio: Nancy Cartwright is the voice of Bart Simpson, along with dozens of other animated characters.
Followers: 2,011