Today’s headlines: The wide regional gap in NCT success rates; and cough syrup among 200 medicines now out of stock in Ireland

Here are today’s top stories on Independent.ie

Revealed: The large regional gap in the NCT test pass rate

A car testing center in Donegal last year had an NCT pass rate more than 20 per cent lower than the country’s busiest inspection body, new figures show. Here is the breakdown from center to center.

Health Crisis: Cough syrup and soluble aspirin are among the 200 essential medicines now out of stock as supplies run dry

Drugs needed by patients for blood pressure and severe pain are among a range of over 200 medicines currently out of stock due to a growing shortage of essential treatments, a new index shows today.

US prosecutors have a month to argue against Martens’ retrial transfer

A US judge has given prosecutors a month to argue against a request by father and daughter Tom and Molly Martens to move their retrial into another part of North Carolina for the murder of Irishman Jason Corbett.

Prince Harry addresses Jeremy Clarkson’s ‘terrible, hurtful and cruel’ Meghan column

Prince Harry has spoken out about his wife Meghan Markle during his interview with ITV’s Tom Bradby about Jeremy Clarkson’s “hurtful and cruel” newspaper column.

Murdered Natalie McNally’s father says he had difficulty identifying the body due to horrific injuries

Natalie McNally’s father has told how he struggled to identify his daughter’s body after she suffered horrific injuries.

Home price growth will slow to 3 percent nationwide as interest rates rise

According to a nationwide survey of real estate agents, the real estate market is expected to see price increases slow in 2023 as mortgage rates rise and the cost of living rises.

Revealed: Ireland’s dirtiest and cleanest towns and cities

A survey by An Taisce on behalf of Irish group Business Against Litter has revealed the cleanest and litteriest cities in Ireland – with Naas topping the rankings for cleanliness.

Ireland’s smallest mammal, the pygmy shrew, is endangered by invasive species

Ireland’s smallest mammal, the pygmy shrew, is fast disappearing from the landscape. It is crowded out for insect food by the recently arrived white-toothed shrew.

Over 1,000 Irish firms could go out of business in 2023 if the global recession continues to deepen

More than 1,000 companies could go bankrupt this year if the economic downturn worsens, posting losses totaling €4 billion, according to PwC’s latest Insolvency Barometer.

Vigil to commemorate Bruna Fonseca takes place in Cork