Automation can help laboratories process samples efficiently while supporting accuracy, traceability, and repeatable workflows. It does not replace the knowledge of trained scientists and laboratory professionals. Instead, it provides tools that help teams manage complex tasks at scale.

Why Consistency Matters in Sample Processing

Sample processing covers the steps that prepare biological materials for storage, testing, or analysis. Depending on the study, these steps may include receipting, blood fractionation, aliquoting, liquid transfer, DNA or RNA extraction, quantification, and normalisation.

Consistency is essential because samples need to be handled in a way that supports reliable downstream analysis. If one set of samples is processed differently from another, it may become harder to understand whether changes in the results are meaningful or related to laboratory variation.

Automated equipment can help follow the same programmed procedure across large batches of samples. This can support more standardised workflows and reduce the amount of repetitive manual work required.

High-Throughput Processing for Large Studies

A high-throughput laboratory is designed to handle large numbers of samples efficiently. This can be particularly valuable for clinical trials, population health programmes, genomics projects, and pharmaceutical research.

As sample volumes increase, laboratories need systems that can maintain quality without creating unnecessary delays. Automation can help manage routine processes at a larger scale, allowing laboratory teams to focus their attention on quality oversight, problem-solving, and specialist work.

For example, automated liquid-handling systems can assist with transferring samples between containers, creating aliquots, pooling samples, and preparing materials for further testing. This can be faster and more consistent than carrying out every step manually.

Reducing Unnecessary Sample Handling

Biological samples can be sensitive to repeated handling and changes in temperature. Every time a sample is removed from storage, transferred, or processed, there is a possibility of disruption.

Automated systems can reduce the amount of manual handling involved in certain workflows. They can also help laboratories work with smaller sample volumes and create aliquots that are suitable for future testing.

Aliquoting can be especially useful for preserving a parent sample. Instead of repeatedly thawing and refreezing the same material, laboratories can use smaller portions for separate analyses. This helps protect the remaining sample for future use.

Improving Traceability and Data Management

Automation is most effective when it is connected to clear data management. A sample must be more than physically processed. It needs to be accurately identified and tracked throughout its journey.

Laboratory information management systems can record sample receipt, movements, processing steps, storage locations, and associated data. Barcodes and digital records help laboratory teams identify the correct samples and reduce the risk of manual transcription errors.

This traceability is important for research quality, audit readiness, and practical study management. It also makes it easier to locate specific samples when they are needed for additional analysis.

Supporting DNA and RNA Workflows

DNA and RNA extraction can be an important part of many genetic and biomedical research programmes. Once nucleic acids have been extracted, they may need to be quantified and normalised before they are used in downstream analysis.

Automation can support these workflows by helping laboratories process high sample volumes using defined methods. Quantification helps determine the amount of nucleic acid available, while normalisation can prepare DNA or RNA to meet the requirements of a particular analysis.

The right workflow will depend on the sample type, study protocol, and planned research method. Careful planning is needed to make sure the process matches the scientific goals of the project.

Flexibility Is Still Important

Although automation can support standardisation, research programmes are not always identical. A clinical study may have specific requirements for collection, processing, storage, or reporting.

A good processing strategy should be flexible enough to adapt to these needs while maintaining appropriate quality controls. This may include bespoke collection kits, tailored sample handling procedures, or different reporting requirements for a particular study.

A specialist Sample Processing Service can help research teams combine high-throughput automated workflows with the flexibility needed for clinical and biomedical programmes.

Plan Automation Early in the Study

Automation works best when it is considered early. Before a project starts, research teams should think about expected sample volumes, collection schedules, required turnaround times, sample types, and long-term storage plans.

Important questions include:

• How many samples will be processed each day or week?
• Which processing steps need to be completed?
• Will samples require DNA or RNA extraction?
• How will samples be labelled and tracked?
• Are there specific storage requirements?
• What data or reports will the study team need?

Answering these questions early can help create a workflow that remains practical as the study grows.

FAQ

What is automated sample processing?

Automated sample processing uses laboratory equipment and software to support tasks such as sample transfer, aliquoting, extraction, quantification, and normalisation.

Why is automation useful for large studies?

Automation can help laboratories manage high sample volumes with more consistent workflows and less repetitive manual handling.

Can automation improve sample traceability?

Yes. When automated systems are connected to a Laboratory Information Management System, they can support clear tracking of sample identities, movements, and processing activities.

Does automation replace laboratory staff?

No. Automation supports laboratory staff by assisting with repeatable tasks. Trained professionals are still needed to oversee processes, review quality, and manage complex requirements.

Conclusion

Automation can help research laboratories process large numbers of samples more efficiently while supporting consistency and traceability. By combining automated workflows with careful planning and skilled laboratory oversight, research teams can create a stronger foundation for reliable clinical and biomedical studies.

If you are comparing Google review services, the headline price is only part of the picture. I also look at customization, delivery options, targeting, guarantees, support, and how transparent the provider is about its service.

For this guide, I compared six services: ReviewGrow which is leading the list, BoostMe and other providers.

1. ReviewGrow: Most Reliable Provider for Buying Google Reviews

Editorial rating: 4.9/5

ReviewGrow stands out as a top provider to buy Google reviews for your business due to its combination of extensive customization, safety protections, location targeting, and free reputation management tools.

Best suited to: Local businesses, agencies, brands, restaurants, healthcare practices, fitness businesses, hospitality companies, and other businesses that want a highly customizable Google review solution with ongoing support and reputation-management tools.

A Full Range of Google Review Packages

ReviewGrow offers scalable packages for businesses at any growth stage, allowing structured campaigns rather than one-off purchases.

Current packages include:

• 2 Google reviews: $20
• 5 Google reviews: $50
• 10 Google reviews: $100
• 25 Google reviews: $250
• 50 Google reviews: $500
• 75 Google reviews: $750

These tiered options make it simple to scale review generation based on your goals.

Customized Reviews Instead of Generic Copy

Instead of template responses, ReviewGrow lets businesses provide custom copy or generate feedback tailored to specific services, industries, and locations.

Gradual Delivery for a More Natural Review Profile

Orders can be delivered incrementally over time to maintain steady, organic-looking account activity.

Location Targeting for Local Businesses

Geographic targeting ensures reviews originate from specific target markets, enhancing local relevance across industries.

5-Star Reviews and Flexible Rating Options

Flexible 5-star and custom rating options integrate easily into existing reputation management efforts.

Strong Guarantees and Ongoing Support

ReviewGrow protects purchases with a money-back guarantee, refill protection for dropped reviews, and 24/7 support.

A Platform Built for More Than One Industry

Services cater to diverse sectors including hospitality, healthcare, fitness, startups, retail, and local professional services.

More Than a Review Service: Reputation Management Tools

Beyond paid reviews, ReviewGrow provides free utilities like a Google Review Calculator, AI Review Generator, and Review Response Generator.

Mini Case Study: Our Reputation Manager Assessment

We assessed ReviewGrow as we would any reputation-management provider: looking beyond the headline price to customization, delivery control, support, guarantees, and practical usability.

ReviewGrow scored particularly well because it combines custom review content, location targeting, reviewer preferences, gradual delivery, refill protection, and 24/7 support. Its additional reputation tools, including a Google Review Calculator and AI review-response tools, also make it more useful as part of a broader reputation workflow.

Based on these criteria, we awarded ReviewGrow an editorial score of 4.8/5, making it the highest-rated provider in our comparison. This is our expert assessment of the service offering, not a Google rating or a guarantee of results.

2. BoostMe

Rating: 4.7/5

Best for: Businesses looking for flexible packages and custom-written reviews.

BoostMe takes a straightforward package-based approach. Its current Google review service starts at $9.15 for one review, with larger packages including 5 reviews for $44, 10 for $87, 25 for $215, 50 for $420, 75 for $615 and 150 for $1,199.

The provider offers standard 5-star reviews as well as custom-written reviews. Its custom option includes business-specific writing and image reviews.

Key features

• 5-star reviews
• Custom-written reviews
• Image reviews
• Gradual delivery
• Location-focused options
• 15-day package refills
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• 24/7 support
• No password required

Reviews can begin appearing within 24 to 48 hours, with full delivery generally spread across one to four weeks depending on the package.

My take

The biggest advantage here is package flexibility. If you want to start with a small order rather than committing to a large campaign, BoostMe has a relatively low entry point.

Its custom-written option also makes it more versatile than a basic review package.

3. GetReviews.buzz

Rating: 4.5/5

Best for: Businesses that want to choose between different price and warranty combinations.

GetReviews.buzz takes an unusual approach to pricing. Instead of offering one standard price per review, its Google review service currently has three options:

• $15 per review: 30-day warranty
• $10 per review: 15-day warranty
• $7 per review: 7-day warranty

Each option requires a minimum order of five reviews.

Key features

• Customized content
• Human-written reviews
• Claimed verified local accounts
• Drip-feed delivery
• One-time replacement
• Monthly ordering option
• Different warranty periods

The warranty structure is useful when comparing the service with competitors because it makes the price-versus-retention trade-off easier to see.

For example, someone looking for the lowest advertised price can choose the $7 option, while someone who places more importance on a longer replacement window can choose the $15 package.

My take

GetReviews.buzz is particularly interesting if you want flexibility around warranty duration. Its pricing structure is clearer than many providers because you can see what you are paying for at each warranty level.

The main limitation is that the warranty periods are relatively short compared with some longer-term guarantees offered elsewhere.

4. Media Mister

Rating: 4.4/5

Best for: Businesses that want a broader digital-marketing provider with Google review customization.

Media Mister is a larger multi-platform provider rather than a company focused exclusively on Google reviews. Its Google review service allows customers to select options such as star rating, target country, quantity and custom comments.

The current service page also displays a 4.9/5 customer rating based on 35 verified reviews. That is Media Mister’s displayed customer score and is separate from my 4.6/5 editorial rating.

Key features

• Star-rating selection
• Target-country selection
• Custom comments
• Custom review text
• Gradual delivery
• No password required
• Money-back guarantee
• Customer support
• Multiple payment options

Media Mister currently advertises delivery that can vary according to order size and says reviews are delivered gradually.

It also offers services beyond Google, which may be useful for businesses managing their reputation across multiple platforms.

Again, this is a provider-published customer review, not an independently audited case study.

My take

Media Mister’s biggest advantage is breadth. If you are already using the company for other social or reputation services, having Google reviews available through the same provider can simplify management.

The pricing structure is less straightforward than some of the smaller competitors because the final price depends on the selected options.

5. RatingLeader

Rating: 4.2/5

Best for: Businesses looking for relatively straightforward pricing and ongoing review options.

RatingLeader currently lists its Google review service at €8.99 per review and allows customers to select different quantities, including larger packages.

One feature that caught my attention is its Continuous Growth option. Instead of placing individual orders, customers can select a monthly quantity and have reviews distributed on an ongoing basis.

Key features

• Personalized reviews
• Multiple quantities
• Continuous Growth option
• Gradual delivery
• Fast delivery
• 24/7 support
• Replacement guarantee
• Location and industry customization

The customers can provide instructions for review content, while its writers adapt those instructions into review text. The company begins working on orders immediately and can distribute reviews over several hours or days.

For Continuous Growth customers, RatingLeader offers replacement if reviews disappear and a 20% ongoing discount.

My take

RatingLeader has a relatively low starting price and a useful recurring option. I particularly like the transparency around the Continuous Growth model.

I would still compare its replacement terms carefully with competing providers before choosing a larger package.

6. OrderBoosts

Rating: 4.1/5

Best for: Businesses looking for a broader review-management platform rather than a Google-only service.

OrderBoosts has expanded its review offering across multiple platforms, including Google, Trustpilot, G2, Capterra, Yelp and TripAdvisor.

Its current Google review page lists:

• 5 reviews for $100
• 10 reviews for $180
• 15 reviews for $270

The 10- and 15-review packages are displayed at $18 per review, while the five-review package is $20 per review.

Key features

• Verified-account positioning
• Gradual delivery
• 24/7 support
• Location targeting
• Review planning tools
• 30-day replacement guarantee
• Multi-platform reputation services

OrderBoosts also offers tools such as a Google Review Score Calculator and Review Velocity Planner, which makes the service more interesting from a broader reputation-management perspective.

My take

OrderBoosts has a relatively polished review-management ecosystem and useful planning tools. Its main disadvantage in this comparison is that it is less established as a Google-specific specialist than some of the other providers.

For someone interested in managing multiple review platforms, however, its broader service range is worth considering.

How we rated these services

My ratings are editorial scores, not customer-review scores. I considered:

• Features and customization: 20%
• Pricing and value: 20%
• Delivery options: 15%
• Targeting: 15%
• Guarantees and retention: 15%
• Support and ordering experience: 15%

I also give more weight to information that is clearly disclosed rather than assuming a provider offers a feature it does not publicly describe.

How I Compared These Google Review Services

I would not choose a provider based on price alone.

When I compare review services, I look at six things first:

1. Customization

Can you specify the business, industry, services, location or other relevant details?

2. Delivery

Does the provider explain how and when reviews are delivered?

3. Pricing

Is the price visible before checkout, and can you understand exactly what you are purchasing?

4. Targeting

Can the service target relevant locations or other campaign characteristics?

5. Guarantees

What happens if a review disappears?

6. Support

Can you reach someone if an order has a problem?

That is why a $7 review is not automatically better value than a $15 or $20 review. The actual service included in the price matters.

Do Google Reviews Help Local SEO?

Reviews are an important part of a local business’s online presence, but I would avoid treating them as a guaranteed shortcut to higher rankings.

Your Google Business Profile also depends on factors such as relevance, proximity, business information, website signals, customer experience and overall local SEO.

Reviews can influence how potential customers perceive your business, and the star rating is highly visible in Google Search and Maps.

However, no review provider can legitimately guarantee a particular Google Maps or Local Pack position.

If you want to understand the relationship between reviews and local search in more detail, read:

Read more: How Google Reviews Affect Your Local Search Rankings

How Many Google Reviews Do You Need?

There is no universal number.

A business with 10 reviews and a 3.2 rating has a very different problem from a business with 200 reviews and a 4.4 rating.

The number you need depends on:

• your current rating
• your total review count
• your target rating
• the ratings of future reviews

For example, if your current average is already 4.7, moving to 4.8 can require considerably more reviews than moving a profile from 3.8 to 4.0.

ReviewGrow offers a Google Review Calculator that lets you enter your current rating and review count and estimate how many additional reviews are required to reach a target rating.

Alternatives to Buying Google Reviews

Buying reviews is not the only way to build a stronger Google Business Profile.

In fact, I would recommend that every business have a genuine review-generation process regardless of whether it uses a reputation-management service.

Ask customers directly

After a successful purchase or completed service, send the customer your Google review link.

Use a QR code

Google allows businesses to create a review link or QR code that can be placed on receipts, emails, printed materials or in-store signage.

Send follow-up emails

A simple message after a completed order can remind a genuine customer to share their experience.

Use SMS or WhatsApp

For businesses that communicate with customers through messaging, a direct review link can make the process much easier.

Respond to existing reviews

Replying to positive and negative feedback shows customers that you are paying attention.

Make the experience worth reviewing

The most sustainable way to build reviews is still to provide an experience customers genuinely want to talk about.

How to Get More Genuine Google Reviews

If I were setting up a review strategy for a local business, I would start with the basics.

First, create a direct Google review link. Then make it easy for customers to find it.

You can put the link in:

• thank-you emails
• receipts
• SMS messages
• WhatsApp follow-ups
• appointment confirmations
• QR codes
• post-purchase emails

Google itself recommends using a review link or QR code to make it easier for customers to leave feedback.

One important restriction is that you should not offer discounts, gifts or other incentives in exchange for reviews. You also should not pressure customers into leaving a specific rating.

The goal should be to make it easy for customers to share their genuine experience.

Final Take: ReviewGrow vs. Other Google Review Services

After comparing the six services, the biggest differences are not simply price.

ReviewGrow stands out for customization, location targeting and campaign flexibility.

BoostMe offers a wide range of package sizes and a relatively low starting price.

GetReviews.buzz gives customers several warranty and price options.

Media Mister is attractive if you want a broader digital-marketing provider.

RatingLeader has a straightforward €8.99 starting price and a recurring Continuous Growth option.

OrderBoosts is particularly interesting for businesses that want to manage review campaigns across several platforms.

The right option therefore depends on what matters most to your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy Google reviews?

Yes, there are companies that sell Google review services. However, Google prohibits paid reviews and fake engagement that does not represent genuine customer experiences, so businesses should understand the policy risks before purchasing.

How much does it cost to buy Google reviews?

Prices vary considerably. In this comparison, advertised starting prices range from about $7 per review at GetReviews.buzz to €8.99 at RatingLeader, $9.15 at BoostMe and higher prices for some Media Mister and OrderBoosts packages.

Is it safe to buy Google reviews?

There is no way to guarantee that a paid review service is risk-free. Google prohibits fake engagement and can remove policy-violating reviews or impose restrictions on Business Profiles.

Can Google detect purchased reviews?

Google uses systems designed to identify suspicious and policy-violating review activity. A provider’s claim that its delivery method is “natural” does not override Google’s policies.

Can Google remove purchased reviews?

Yes. Google can remove reviews that violate its policies. In some circumstances, it can also restrict a Business Profile from receiving reviews or display a warning to consumers.

How many Google reviews should I buy?

There is no universal number. The answer depends on your current rating, number of existing reviews and target rating. A review calculator can help you understand the mathematics before deciding how many additional reviews would change your average.

Can I buy 5-star Google reviews?

Several providers in this comparison advertise 5-star Google review packages. However, Google requires reviews to reflect genuine customer experiences and prohibits paid ratings that do not meet that standard.

Can I customize Google reviews?

Several providers offer customization. ReviewGrow, BoostMe, GetReviews.buzz, Media Mister and RatingLeader all advertise options for influencing or supplying review content.

Can I target a specific location with Google reviews?

Some providers offer location-based targeting. ReviewGrow, BoostMe, Media Mister, RatingLeader and OrderBoosts all advertise location-related options, although the exact targeting capabilities vary.

How long does it take to receive Google reviews?

Delivery varies by provider and package. Some services advertise initial delivery within 24–72 hours, while complete delivery may be spread over one to four weeks.

What happens if purchased reviews disappear?

That depends on the provider. Some offer replacement or refill guarantees for a specified period. Always check the exact warranty before purchasing.

What is the best alternative to buying Google reviews?

For long-term reputation building, the most sustainable approach is to request genuine reviews from real customers. Google provides businesses with tools for creating review links and QR codes to make this easier.

In the past 24 hours, Bitcoin was down 0.3% and Ethereum was up 0.2% to trade near $2,688. Among the major altcoins, XRP, Solana, Dogecoin, and Cardano gained upto 3.3% whereas BNB, Tron, and Hyperliquid corrected less than 1%.

Also Read | Explained: Which mutual fund ratios should investors check before investing?The global crypto market capitalisation went up marginally 0.3% to $2.97 trillion, according to Coingecko.

Nischal Shetty, Founder, WazirX said Ethereum followed a similar trajectory, ending the period close to $2,700. The initial rally followed the US Federal Reserve’s September policy decision. With the outcome largely priced in, the conclusion of the FOMC meeting reduced near-term uncertainty and encouraged investors to rebuild exposure to risk assets.

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Overall, the market structure has improved, but sentiment is already in the Greed zone, Shetty further said.
Over the past week, Bitcoin and Ethereum were up 3.6% and 2.2% respectively. Among the major altcoins, BNB, XRP, Solana, Dogecoin, and Cardano gained upto 13.3% whereas Tron and Hyperliquid corrected 0.2% and 0.3% respectively.Crypto markets are consolidating after Bitcoin’s rejection near $87,000. BTC is trading around $84,000, with 83,000 – 83,300 acting as key support, said Riya Sehgal, Research Analyst, Delta Exchange.

Also Read | Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund suspends fresh subscription in 3 international funds

ETF flows also remain positive, with Bitcoin ETFs recording about $191 million in net inflows on September 24, taking the six-session total to roughly $2.8 billion. Ethereum ETFs added around $66 million. For BTC, $83,000 and $85,000 remain the key levels for the next directional move, Sehgal further said.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

DENVER — Federal and state health officials are warning the public about a new and dangerous synthetic opioid called cychlorphine, following a social media post that began circulating among students at Colorado State University alerting them to the drug’s presence in the illicit supply.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Division, which has spent years warning the public about the dangers of fentanyl, confirmed that cychlorphine is making its way into the illicit drug supply and reaching unsuspecting users. DEA Associate Administrator Gary Owen addressed the broader trend of increasingly dangerous synthetic substances entering the drug supply in a statement posted to the agency’s social media. “Illicit fentanyl is being mixed with new, deadly and more synthetic drugs like xylazine, nitazenes, cychlorphine and medetomidine. These names may be unfamiliar, but the impact is devastating,” Owen said.

Former Acting DEA Administrator Derek Maltz addressed the specific danger cychlorphine poses in an interview with Fox News, emphasizing that existing overdose-prevention tools are not equipped to detect it. “Cyclorphine is 10x more potent than fentanyl. The fentanyl test strips that are out there. These single drug test strips are not going to detect it,” Maltz said.

One drug researcher told FOX31 that a central concern surrounding cychlorphine is that it has not been studied in humans, leaving significant uncertainty about how much of the substance could constitute a dangerous or fatal dose given its potency.

Despite that uncertainty, health officials have confirmed that existing overdose-reversal medication remains effective against the drug. A spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment addressed this directly. “As an opioid antagonist, naloxone remains effective in reversing overdoses caused by synthetic opioids like cychlorphine,” the CDPHE spokesperson said. Naloxone, commonly sold under the brand name Narcan, works by rapidly blocking opioid receptors in the brain, reversing the effects of an opioid overdose, including dangerously slowed or stopped breathing, and has become an increasingly widely distributed harm-reduction tool amid the broader synthetic opioid crisis.

The Stout Street Foundation, a Denver-area substance use treatment center, said opioids like cychlorphine can be crushed into powder form and either injected or snorted. Counselors at the center expressed concern about the drug’s growing and largely undetected presence in the illicit supply. Stout Street Foundation Chief Operating Officer Joseph Ellis explained why awareness efforts around the drug remain limited so far. “It’s new enough that there’s no street name for it,” Ellis said. “People aren’t aware how prominent it is in the fake pills that are on the streets.”

The DEA’s Rocky Mountain Division told FOX31 it has not yet identified cychlorphine within its own jurisdiction, which spans Colorado and several neighboring states, noting that the closest confirmed cases identified so far have been reported in Texas and Oklahoma. The agency said it currently classifies cychlorphine as an emerging threat, reflecting its limited but growing documented presence within the broader illicit drug supply.

The CDPHE spokesperson noted that, as of the most recent data, Colorado has not recorded any confirmed overdose deaths specifically involving cychlorphine. The spokesperson explained that this absence of confirmed cases may partly reflect testing limitations rather than the drug’s true prevalence, since cychlorphine, as a novel synthetic opioid, is not included in standard post-mortem toxicology panels and may only be identified if specifically requested by investigating coroners during an autopsy.

One drug expert cited in the report said cychlorphine has been found appearing in drugs where users did not expect to encounter it, a pattern consistent with the broader trend of synthetic opioids being mixed into counterfeit pills and other illicit substances without users’ knowledge. That unpredictability is part of what has prompted students at Colorado State University to begin spreading warnings about the drug across campus on their own, independent of the more formal warnings issued by the DEA and state health officials.

Officials emphasized that the absence of a reliable test strip for cychlorphine represents a significant gap in the tools currently available to drug users seeking to reduce their personal risk, given that standard fentanyl test strips are not designed to detect this newer synthetic compound. That gap, combined with the drug’s reported potency, has driven officials to urge heightened vigilance among anyone who may come into contact with counterfeit pills or other illicit substances circulating within the current drug supply.

For anyone concerned about a possible opioid overdose, whether involving cychlorphine, fentanyl or another substance, officials continue to emphasize that naloxone remains an effective emergency response tool and that anyone witnessing signs of an overdose, including slowed or stopped breathing, unresponsiveness or blue-tinted lips or fingertips, should administer naloxone if available and call 911 immediately.

With cychlorphine now formally classified as an emerging threat by federal officials and confirmed cases so far concentrated in Texas and Oklahoma, health authorities in Colorado and neighboring states are likely to continue monitoring for the drug’s spread, while urging both the public and coroners investigating unexplained deaths to remain alert to a substance that current standard toxicology screening may otherwise fail to detect.

In February 2023, City were charged with more than 100 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules following a four-year investigation.

The club was referred to an independent commission over allegations it breached financial rules between 2009 and 2018.

The hearing began in September 2024 behind closed doors and concluded that December after around 12 weeks.

The Premier League claimed City breached rules requiring the club to provide “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position”.

City strongly denied all charges and have said their case is supported by a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence”.

The club won eight trophies in the period covered by the case, including three Premier League titles, three League Cups, one Community Shield and one FA Cup.

The charges cover the mangerial tenures of Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini, and the first two years under Pep Guardiola, who left the club after 10 seasons at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

A separate case between City and the Premier League was also heard last year.

In 2024, an independent arbitration panel found against aspects of the league’s Associated Party Transaction regulations (APTs) after City launched an arbitration challenge.

A tribunal held in February 2025 found the Premier League’s rules governing sponsorship deals from the period between 2021 and 2024 are “void and unenforceable”.

City and the Premier League reached a settlement in September 2025, with the club accepting the APT rules are valid and binding and both parties agreeing to terminate legal proceedings.

The rules were formed by the Premier League to prevent clubs from profiting from commercial deals with companies linked to their owners that are deemed above “fair market value”.

By Adriaan du Toit | Elizabeth Bakarich, CFA | Christian DiClementi

The rise of artificial intelligence could redefine leaders and laggards in emerging markets.

Artificial intelligence (AI) leadership is no longer a developed-market monopoly. Emerging markets (EM) now have their

A delivery service offering meals to people in need has spoken about the challenges of recruiting new volunteers due to rising fuel costs.

Maureen Bougeard said Meals on Wheels Jersey had received £38,000 from the Jersey Community Foundation to fund work supplying hot meals to islanders who are unable to prepare meals themselves.

She said the service packed and delivered meals to about 100 people, four days a week – but added fuel costs were having an impact.

“Very often volunteers say, you know, ‘the petrol’s getting expensive’,” she said. “We’re looking for new volunteers and I send the information out which says ‘you drive your car at your own expense’ and I don’t hear from them again.”

The secretary said the organisation had more than 200 volunteers.

“Our complete organisation is run by volunteers,” Bougeard said. “We don’t have any paid staff at all.”

Bougeard said some of the voluntary meal delivery drivers drove the length of the island twice in a day, adding most volunteers were retired people.

“I’m not saying everyone has a poor pension, not everyone is on the basic pension, but some are and they still manage to come and volunteer, which is absolutely fabulous,” she said.