Telejornal Madeira — 5 August 2026:

• **Road fatalities in Madeira reach worst record since 2019** — In 2026, Madeira has recorded nine road deaths, the highest since 2019, with excessive speed identified as the main cause. Police have stepped up surveillance on the Via Rápida.

• **Madeira's unemployment rate is the lowest in the country** — The unemployment rate fell to 3.5% in Q2 2026, the lowest in all of Portugal, with around 5,000 people registered as unemployed.

• **Changes to the Single Circulation Tax (IUC) payment from 2028** — New deadlines and installment options for the IUC are coming in 2028. Businesses with large fleets criticise the increased fiscal burden.

• **Bernardo Trindade proposes Porto Santo as backup for Madeira's airport** — The candidate for president of the Portuguese Tourism Confederation advocates using Porto Santo as an alternative during Madeira airport closures and wants greater tourism-sector involvement in revenue decisions.

• **Elderly Person Statute comes into force in Madeira** — The new statute aims to boost support for older people, promoting autonomy and home care. Currently only 1,700 elderly attend day centres, with plans to expand services.

• **Pollution in Funchal's streams** — ARDITI studies reveal significant pollution in Funchal's waterways, with water quality deteriorating from upstream to downstream due to unknown discharges.

• **JPP accuses Câmara de Lobos council of prioritising festival over fishermen** — The Juntos pelo Povo party criticises the council for spending €177,000 on a festival while denying direct support to fishermen and failing to deliver promised infrastructure.

• **Teachers' union satisfied with promise to recover service time** — The regional government has pledged to begin addressing the recovery of service time for teachers hired before 2011 this year, following talks with the Independent Union of Teachers and Educators.

• **Novena for Senhora do Monte begins with devotees working through the night** — Faithful worked overnight to decorate the church for the novenas honouring Nossa Senhora do Monte, after flowers arrived late due to a delayed flight.

• **Primeira Liga football kicks off this weekend** — Marítimo host Casa Pia and Nacional travel to face Santa Clara in the Azores as Madeira's two clubs begin their top-flight campaigns.

• **Madeiran violinist receives 18th-century violin on loan** — Felipe Fernandes, a Madeira-born violinist based in Amsterdam, has been loaned an 18th-century instrument, opening up new sonic possibilities for his career.

• **Yellow heat warning remains in effect until Friday** — A yellow heat warning covers all of Madeira, with temperatures reaching up to 30 °C in Funchal and 29 °C in Porto Santo.

▶ Watch: Telejornal Madeira — RTP Play

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