Today’s headlines: Peak energy prices could be 50 percent higher; Russian troops eat abandoned dogs while rations run out

Here are this morning’s top stories on Independent.ie

Families will have to pay up to 50 percent more for peak-time electricity under the new plan to deal with the crisis

towards families pay up to 50pc more for electricity at peak times as part of plans to limit the impact of the energy crisis.

Potholes and poor roads are blamed for more cars failing at one in three test centers than the NCT pass on the first try

At a third of National Car Test (NCT) centers across the country, more vehicles failed the first attempt last year than passed. Bad roads are believed to be one of the reasons why so many vehicles fail the NCT.

Russian troops ‘flee Chernobyl’ amid claims of radiation exposure

Russian troops began to leave the Chernobyl nuclear power plant after the soldiers arrived “significant radiation doses” when digging trenches at the highly contaminated site, This was announced by Ukraine’s state power company yesterday, as fighting raged on the outskirts of Kyiv and on other fronts.

Trash Talk and Tantrums – Conor McGregor’s Struggle for Fame

Charlie Bird shares his joy at the €900,000 raised for charity before climbing Croagh Patrick

Charlie Bird has said he ‘cannot describe in words’ how he’s feeling as he prepares to head off to his Climb With Charlie fundraiser tomorrow.

Rape victims are discredited during court proceedings with their own therapy notes

Rape victims are discredited with their own counseling notes during the trialsbut feel pressured to release personal medical records, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

As rations run out, invading Russian troops are forced to eat abandoned dogs

Russian troops are eat abandoned dogs as they are running out of substandard rations, which have been fast running out among the poorly trained conscripts being sent to Ukraine.

Hospitals are demanding the return of face masks as the highly infectious variant creates new hotspots

The comeback of Covid-19 in the form of the highly infectious BA.2 variant has has hit some areas of the country particularly hard in the past two weeksCreating new hotspots.

Irish research shows that early detection is key to treating psychosis

Delays in treating psychosis—where people lose touch with reality—can Symptoms, functioning, and quality of life worsen and persist for at least 20 years after a patient first experienced the disease, Irish researchers have revealed.

Controversial “Golden Visa” scheme linked to tax evasion

Ireland’s controversial Immigrant Investor Programme, referred to as a “Golden Passport” or “Golden Visa” carries risks including potential use to facilitate tax avoidance, according to a new study by European Parliament researchers.