Telejornal Madeira — 14 August 2026:

• **€404 housing allowance for University of Madeira students** — Students from outside Funchal, including mainland Portugal, will receive a monthly housing allowance of €404 without needing a rental contract. Applications open 16 August through 2 October.

• **Region still waiting for second firefighting helicopter** — Mid-summer and Madeira still lacks its second firefighting helicopter. The regional government says the additional aerial support remains justified for fire suppression and rescue.

• **GNR identifies 20 illegal dump sites, issues 14 fines** — The GNR's Environmental Protection Unit found 20 cases of illegal dumping in Madeira this year, issuing 14 fines. Penalties range from €10,000–€200,000 for individuals and up to €5 million for companies.

• **New firefighting equipment delivered to regional fire departments** — The Regional Secretariat for Health and Civil Protection delivered standardized new equipment to Madeira's fire departments, funded by the regional budget at around €250,000.

• **Machico beach reopened after microbiological contamination** — Machico's yellow sand beach reopened after a sewage leak that caused contamination was identified and fixed. The local council expects full resolution soon.

• **Fuel prices dropping in Madeira** — Fuel prices decrease Monday: unleaded 95 drops to €1.78/litre, road diesel to €1.89/litre. Coloured diesel for fishing also falls.

• **Average wage in Madeira up 4.2% but down 0.3% in real terms** — The average gross monthly wage rose to €1,748 in Q2 2024 (+4.2% year-on-year), but fell 0.3% in real terms due to inflation. Employment grew 2.3%.

• **New Pestana Dunas eco-resort boosts Porto Santo's hotel capacity** — Pestana Group inaugurated the Pestana Dunas eco-resort in Porto Santo, adding 218 rooms and bringing all-inclusive bed capacity to ~1,000. The project is phased, depending on air connectivity.

• **Iberian Peninsula again the main cocaine gateway into Europe** — The Iberian Peninsula has re-emerged as Europe's main cocaine entry point. Portugal seized 28 tons in 2026, with the drug destined for other European, African and Asian markets.

• **Relay run around Madeira raises funds for Venezuela earthquake victims** — Around 50 athletes are running 173 km around Madeira in a relay, with over €1,500 already collected. The event aims to finish Saturday night.

• **Juntos pelo Povo denounces neglect of Val do Porto Novo in Gaula** — The Juntos pelo Povo party highlighted over two decades of government neglect and unfulfilled promises to redevelop Val do Porto Novo, once a landmark of the parish.

• **Festas de Nossa Senhora do Monte and Nossa Senhora da Graça** — Traditional festivals in honour of Nossa Senhora do Monte (Madeira) and Nossa Senhora da Graça (Porto Santo) are underway, with religious celebrations, processions, music and food.

• **Marítimo prepare for tough match in Famalicão** — Coach Michel van der Gaag expects a difficult game against Famalicão, a team chasing European spots. He called for unity and resilience ahead of Sunday's match.

• **Madeira SAD women's handball team gears up for new season** — The women's handball squad aims to close the gap on dominant Benfica. First match: 30 August vs Almeida Garrett.

• **Pedro Boaró qualifies for pole vault final at European Athletics Championships** — The Madeiran athlete made the pole vault final. Other Portuguese athletes, including Isaac Nader and José Carlos Pinto, had mixed results.

• **Madeira Photography Museum hosts wet collodion workshop** — The museum ran a workshop on the 19th-century wet collodion photographic process, with portrait sessions planned for World Photography Day on 19 August.

• **Weekend weather forecast** — Cloudy periods with frequent rain on Madeira's north side and highlands. Highs of 28°C in Funchal and Porto Santo; waves up to 2 m on the north coast.

Watch the full bulletin: RTP Play