The price of oil sank more than 9% on Monday on hopes that a pause in attacks between US and Iran could help lead to a resolution to the conflict.

Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, dipped below $88 a barrel, marking a sharp turnaround from last week when it had risen above $100.

The fall came after the US ambassador to the UN said attacks on Iran had been halted for a second night in a row to give “talks some space”.

An Iranian army spokesperson said on Sunday that Tehran had halted “retaliatory” attacks in the region in response.

The outbreak of the Iran war triggered a sharp rise in oil prices as the conflict led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route which usually carries about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

When Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding in June to halt military operations and reopen the strait, the price of oil fell back to pre-war levels of around $70 a barrel.

However, the collapse of the ceasefire earlier this month reignited fears over global energy supplies and pushed the oil price back up.

Last week it hit $100 a barrel for the first time since May, with added concerns coming after Houthi militia in Yemen attacked oil tankers in the Red Sea, threatening a key export route that Saudi Arabia had used to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, said markets were remaining “cautious given the twists and turns during this conflict”.

Despite the sharp fall in crude, “there is still significant uncertainty baked into these prices and a reticence about whether negotiations will lead to a lasting breakthrough,” she added.

The conflict between the US and Iran – and its impact on oil – has pushed up the cost of fuel such as petrol and diesel in many countries.

This often has knock-on effects on other prices, such as food, as businesses pass on the higher costs they are facing to customers, and this can push up the rate of inflation.

Being indicted for a criminal offense in Georgia can be an overwhelming experience. Many people misunderstand what an indictment actually means, often assuming it is the same as a conviction. In reality, an indictment is simply a formal accusation that allows a criminal case to move forward through the court system. It does not determine guilt or innocence.

After an indictment is issued, several important legal steps follow before a case ever reaches trial. Understanding these procedures can help defendants make informed decisions and better protect their rights throughout the criminal justice process.

Understanding What an Indictment Means

An indictment is a formal charging document issued by a grand jury. In Georgia, prosecutors present evidence to a grand jury, which determines whether there is probable cause to believe a crime was committed and that the accused person committed it.

Unlike a trial, grand jury proceedings are conducted in private, and the defendant generally does not have the opportunity to present evidence or cross-examine witnesses.

An indictment does not establish guilt. Instead, it authorizes prosecutors to proceed with the criminal prosecution. The prosecution must still prove every element of the alleged offense beyond a reasonable doubt during later court proceedings.

Understanding this distinction is important because many defendants mistakenly believe that an indictment means their case is already lost.

The Defendant Is Formally Notified of the Charges

Once the indictment has been returned, the defendant is formally notified of the criminal charges. If the person has already been arrested, they may receive the indictment while the case is pending. If they have not yet been taken into custody, law enforcement may execute an arrest warrant based on the indictment.

The charging document outlines

• The alleged offenses
• The applicable criminal statutes
• The dates of the alleged conduct
• The jurisdiction where the offense occurred
• Any additional counts included by prosecutors

Reviewing the indictment carefully allows the defense to understand exactly what the prosecution intends to prove.

Errors or inconsistencies within the indictment may also become important issues later in the case.

Arraignment and Entering a Plea

Following an indictment, the defendant usually appears in court for an arraignment. During this hearing, the judge formally advises the defendant of the charges and asks for a plea.

The defendant generally has three options

• Guilty
• Not guilty
• Nolo contendere (where permitted)

In most contested criminal cases, defendants initially enter a not guilty plea. This allows the defense time to investigate the allegations, review evidence, negotiate with prosecutors, and prepare for trial if necessary.

The arraignment itself is typically brief, but it officially moves the criminal case into the next stage of litigation.

The Discovery Process Begins

After arraignment, prosecutors and defense attorneys begin the discovery process. Discovery allows both sides to exchange information relevant to the case.

Common discovery materials include

•     Police reports
•     Witness statements
•     Surveillance videos
•     Body camera footage
•     Laboratory reports
•     DNA evidence
•     Medical records
•     Digital evidence

The defense carefully reviews every piece of evidence to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

Attorneys often uncover inconsistencies, missing evidence, or constitutional issues that may affect the admissibility of certain evidence at trial.

A thorough review during discovery frequently shapes the overall defense strategy.

Pretrial Motions and Negotiations

Before trial begins, attorneys may file numerous pretrial motions seeking favorable rulings from the court.

Examples include motions to

• Suppress illegally obtained evidence
• Exclude unreliable witness testimony
• Dismiss defective charges
• Compel additional discovery
• Limit certain evidence during trial

At the same time, plea negotiations often occur between prosecutors and defense attorneys.

Depending on the strength of the evidence, prosecutors may agree to reduce charges or recommend a lesser sentence in exchange for a negotiated plea agreement.

Every case is unique, and decisions regarding plea negotiations should be made only after carefully evaluating the available evidence and potential trial risks.

Trial Preparation Is Critical

If the case is not resolved through dismissal or plea negotiations, both sides begin preparing for trial.

Defense attorneys may

Interview witnesses

• Hire expert witnesses
• Review forensic evidence
• Examine surveillance footage
• Develop cross-examination strategies
• Prepare opening and closing arguments

The seriousness of the alleged offense often influences the complexity of trial preparation. For example, cases involving allegations that carry a lengthy aggravated assault sentence in Georgia require careful examination of witness testimony, forensic evidence, and the specific legal elements prosecutors must prove.

Because criminal convictions can carry severe consequences, thorough preparation is essential before presenting a case to a jury.

The Case Moves Toward Trial or Resolution

As trial approaches, both parties continue evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the case.

Some criminal cases resolve shortly before trial through negotiated plea agreements. Others proceed before a judge or jury, where prosecutors must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Throughout this process, experienced Savannah criminal defense attorneys work to protect their clients’ constitutional rights, challenge questionable evidence, negotiate favorable resolutions when appropriate, and prepare strong defenses for trial if necessary.

Even after an indictment, numerous legal opportunities remain available to challenge the prosecution’s case. An indictment simply marks the beginning of formal criminal proceedings not the final outcome.

Conclusion

An indictment is a significant milestone in a Georgia criminal case, but it should never be viewed as a determination of guilt. After an indictment, defendants typically move through several important stages, including arraignment, discovery, pretrial motions, plea negotiations, and potentially trial.

Each phase presents opportunities to evaluate evidence, protect constitutional rights, and build an effective defense strategy. The decisions made during these stages can have a substantial impact on the outcome of the case.

Understanding what happens after an indictment helps defendants navigate the criminal justice system with greater confidence. By responding promptly, working closely with experienced legal counsel, and carefully preparing for each stage of the proceedings, individuals facing criminal charges can better protect their rights and pursue the best possible outcome.

New research from the Economic Intelligence Wales is calling for a new support regime for owners seeking to exit their businesses

A lack of ownership succession planning could be putting indigenous firms and thousands of jobs at risk, claims a new report.

Research from Economic Intelligence Wales – based at Cardiff Business School – is calling for a national support offer to help SME owners plan earlier, access practical guidance and prepare for ownership transition before it becomes urgent.

The report, entitled Small Business Ownership Succession Planning Strategies, has been penned by Mark Lang, Max Munday, Annette Roberts, and Neil Roche.

Its findings reflect a wider challenge facing businesses across Wales and the UK. A 2025 study by Hymans Robertson Personal Wealth showed that only 34% of family business owners in the UK have a formal succession plan in place, while analysis by ExitRadar, based on 2025 data, found that more than 800,000 UK companies have directors aged over 60 with no succession plan.

The same study estimates that more than 90% of small businesses brought to market never complete a sale.

The Welsh picture is equally concerning. Previous research referenced in the report found that just 16% of Welsh SMEs had considered succession planning in the longer term, while 47% of family-owned Welsh SMEs had no formal succession plan in place.

The report concludes that succession planning remains significantly underdeveloped the Welsh SME sector. The key recommendation of the report says a single, visible and accessible national support system would help business owners understand their options, access specialist advice and finance, and begin planning much earlier.

Adam Price, Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, said: “This research highlights the importance of helping business owners plan for the future and ensuring they can access the right support at the right time. Too often, succession planning is seen as something to consider later, when in reality early planning can be critical to securing jobs, investment and long-term business success.

“We want to create a simpler and more visible business support system that helps enterprises at every stage of their journey. That includes providing clearer pathways to advice, finance and specialist support for business owners considering succession, management buyouts, employee ownership or other transition options.

“By bringing support together and making it easier to navigate, we can help more Welsh businesses remain locally rooted, safeguard quality jobs and continue contributing to the growth and prosperity of communities across Wales.”

Prof Munday said “Too many business owners, busy with the day-to-day challenges of running their businesses, risk leaving succession planning until the last minute putting years of their hard work and their critical economic value at risk.

“The evidence is stark. Hundreds of thousands of businesses across the UK are approaching a critical ownership transition without a formal plan in place. Many owners assume they will simply sell when the time comes, but the reality is that most businesses brought to market never complete a sale.

“This report demonstrates the importance of ensuring that business owners have access to the advice, support and funding they need to plan for the future.”

Giles Thorley, chief executive of the Development Bank of Wales, said: “Wales has thousands of successful locally owned businesses that are central to jobs, supply chains and communities, but too many are approaching ownership transition without a clear plan.

“Successful transitions do not happen by accident. They require early planning, good advice and access to appropriate finance. Unless support is simple to find and easy to navigate, otherwise strong businesses can struggle to realise their value or secure their future.

“Since 2017, we have funded 379 succession deals with £157m, supporting management buyouts, employee ownership trusts and other succession routes that help businesses remain strong, independent and embedded within their communities.

“We have seen first-hand how succession funding can protect jobs, preserve local ownership and create the platform for future growth. A single, visible national support offer, backed by practical guidance and targeted awareness, would help more Welsh SME owners plan earlier and give viable businesses the best chance of remaining rooted in Wales for the long term.”

Economic Intelligence Wales is a collaboration between Cardiff Business School, Bangor Business School, the Enterprise Research Centre, the Office for National Statistics and the Development Bank of Wales. The partnership provides independent insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the Welsh economy.

The new hub will support meeting growing demand for its alternative dispute resolution service

The Motor Ombudsman has opened a new hub in Liverpool as the independent body approaches a decade of serving the automotive sector.

Complementing its existing headquarters in London, the move into a facility on Mann Island, next to the River Mersey, will allow the body to meet growing demand from motorists and businesses using its alternative dispute resolution (ADR) service.

In the first five months of 2026 alone, The Motor Ombudsman received 23,499 unique consumer cases – a 22% rise compared with the same period in 2025.

The first phase of recruitment at the hub will see the creation of 17 new jobs, taking the ombusdman’s total headcount to nearly 90.

The new staff will be working alongside colleagues in Westminster within two teams of the body’s dispute resolution department to further drive down the time needed to review cases and deliver decisions.

These are case administration, which gathers evidence from consumers and businesses involved in disputes, and adjudication, which reviews the evidence and issues decisions.

The hub will also play a key role in forging new relationships and supporting closer engagement with existing code-accredited garages, dealerships, vehicle manufacturers and warranty providers, while increasing the Motor Ombudsman visibility in the north west and beyond.

Bill Fennell, chief ombudsman and managing director of the Motor Ombudsman, said: “The opening of a hub in Liverpool is a significant and exciting step forward for The Motor Ombudsman, and marks another important milestone in our continued growth.

“As demand for our ADR service continues to rise, expanding our presence beyond London gives us access to a wider pool of talent, supports the creation of new local jobs in Merseyside, and strengthens the capacity and expertise we need to support consumers and businesses across the automotive sector.”