Telejornal Madeira — 28 July 2026:

• **Intermediate beds for clinical discharges** — The Regional Government is creating intermediate beds in care homes and other buildings for patients discharged from hospital who lack social support at home.

• **Via Expresso doubling to Calheta** — Plans to dual the Via Expresso highway all the way to Calheta have been announced, with the project already in development.

• **Second firefighting helicopter delayed** — The arrival of a second firefighting helicopter is postponed, pending the outcome of a national public tender by the Ministry of Defence.

• **Via Rápida management transfers to Ascendi** — After 26 years under Via Litoral, the concession for the Via Rápida between Ribeira Brava and Machico has been transferred to Ascendi.

• **IRC reduction and economic growth** — The President of the Regional Government highlighted a cut in Corporate Income Tax (IRC) and economic growth during a visit to a renovated restaurant in Funchal.

• **Teacher shortage looming** — Teachers' unions warn of a potential shortfall of nearly 200 educators for the next school year, driven by retirements and a lack of new hires.

• **Vandalism at Chega's parliamentary office** — Chega leader André Ventura reported vandalism and missing documents from his office in the Assembly of the Republic, suggesting a link to a parliamentary inquiry.

• **New strategy for the Zootechnical Station** — The Juntos pelo Povo party proposed using the Madeira Zootechnical Station for regulated livestock grazing to prevent animals being abandoned in the mountains.

• **New rules for rent-a-car companies** — Car rental firms in Madeira must now have physical headquarters, parking spaces, and at least 10% of their fleet as electric vehicles.

• **More funding for Casas do Povo** — The Regional Government plans to increase financial support for Casas do Povo, whose funding has been unchanged since 2007.

• **Business sector report shows improvement** — Madeira's annual business sector report showed net worth up 24% and total financial debt down 39% in 2023.

• **Monk seal safety guidelines** — The Forestry Institute issued guidelines to prevent injuries from monk seal interactions, following five recent incidents involving humans.

• **Protecting Fanal from over-tourism** — Tourism professionals and environmentalists are calling for visitor limits and guided tours at the Fanal forest to curb over-tourism damage.

• **Madeira Rally: route reconnaissance and autograph session** — Rally teams began route reconnaissance, and a traditional autograph session drew large crowds of fans.

• **Marítimo prepares for Primeira Liga return** — Marítimo is gearing up for its return to the top flight, with a friendly derby against Nacional serving as key preparation.

• **'Corpos em Suspensão' circus arts project** — The Dançando com a Diferença project teaches circus arts — aerial fabrics, harness techniques — to children and young people.

• **50 years of autonomy documentary series** — RTP Madeira will premiere a 12-episode documentary on 50 years of regional autonomy, created by journalist Paulo Santos and historian Paulo Rodrigues.

Watch the full bulletin: RTP Play