March CPI 1.2% higher than last year, with fuel prices lower

March CPI 1.2% higher than last year, with fuel prices lower

2026-04-08

The war between the US, Israel and Iran is now approaching its fifth week, and fuel prices around the world are skyrocketing. In Taiwan, the state-owned CPC Corporation has raised fuel prices four times in March alone. But according to government statistics, the average price of fuel this month was 0.33% lower than last year’s. Surprising but true.

That’s thanks to the government’s price stabilization measures, which have helped suppress the fuel price. Meanwhile, the consumer price index for March increased 1.2% year-on-year. That’s 0.51 percentage points lower than February, marking the 11th consecutive month that inflation has stayed below the 2% target set by the government. The statistics agency says that the CPI increase for April is expected to be significantly higher, as oil prices and air fares are expected to continue to rise. Still, the annual growth rate should remain below 2%.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#cpi #costofliving #inflation #consumer #oil #fuel

3月CPI僅年增1.2% !油料費年跌0.33％民眾驚訝:怎麼可能

2026-04-08

美國、伊朗及以色列打了近5週，中油3月期間調漲了4次油價。不過主計總處公布3月最新消費者物價指數，3月平均油價，比去年同期還低0.33%，跌破外界眼鏡。

根據主計總處公布的3月CPI，年增1.2%，比起2月CPI，減少0.51%，不僅連續11個月低於2%。主計處也補充，受到中東情勢影響，油價、機票持續上揚，預計4月CPI漲幅將明顯大於3月，但年增率仍可控制在2%以下。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Related News

Nearly drowned eagle ensnared in fishing line saved off Keelung

2026-04-08

Scammer promising pink blueberries leaves buyers empty-handed

Have you ever seen pink blueberries before? Recently, an online scammer has been impersonating a farmer claiming to have such fruit, posting photos showing a bountiful harvest and even inviting people to come pick them in person. A fair number of people actually transferred money to buy some, only to realize that they had been scammed. And when they confronted the scammer, they were berated and blocked. Actual farmers are also bearing the consequences.

These trees are covered in clusters of pink blueberries, huge and enticingly plump. The ad also says you can pick them yourself. It seems like a tempting offer, but turns out it’s all a lie.

Voice of Ms. Yuan
Scam victim
It seemed a little suspicious they had pink blueberries, so after seeing the post, I searched on Google to see if such a thing even existed. The post even included a real location for pickup. They told me it was paid on delivery and I only needed to pay the delivery fee. But after I paid for that, they said there was something wrong with my account.

After hearing the seller say there was something wrong with her account, Ms. Yuan realized it was a scam and refused to keep following their instructions. The seller then got angry and sent nasty messages before blocking her. Real farmers have also been victimized in this whole ordeal.

Ms. Chan
Farmer
Customers sometimes go through a third party that collects a fee from them, but doesn’t actually help them make a reservation. So when they arrive at the farm and we check their booking details, they’re not able to enter.

Mr. Huang
Farmer
We’ll tell them they’ve been scammed, then provide our link. We’ll also report the case to police.

But if you want pink blueberries, there’s still hope. They apparently really do exist.

Mr. Huang
Farmer
They’ve been introduced to Taiwan before. They’re called “pink lemonade blueberries.”

This scammer exploited people’s curiosity to try new things. It’s crucial to think twice before buying something as enticing as pink blueberries to keep from falling into their trap.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#blueberries #pinkblueberries #farmer #orchard #scam #scamalert #trap #consumerprotection

2026-04-08

Michelin-star chef brings steak, French cuisine to Kaohsiung

2026-04-08

Nativist Taiwanese author honored with asteroid named after him

2026-04-08

Homeowner let burglar go, gave NT$200, but still got things stolen

If you saw a thief breaking into your house, what would you do? Well, a man surnamed Lin in Taipei’s Beitou District decided to take a selfie with the criminal. The homeowner caught the thief red-handed in his apartment but decided to let him go as long as he promised to return the things he stole. But before letting him go free, Mr. Lin grabbed the suspect by the collar and took a picture with him to keep as a memento. Out of sympathy for the thief, Mr. Lin even gave him NT$200 for food and transportation. But later, out of a sense of civic responsibility, Mr. Lin still reported the incident to the police. And fortunately he did, because in the end, the burglar still ran off with NT$25,000 in cash and a wedding ring.

The homeowner was shocked to find a strange man in his apartment. He grabbed the burglar by the collar and took a selfie as evidence. The burglar is pictured with hands clasped together in a pleading gesture. Later, the homeowner’s son posted the photo online, joking that it could be Taiwan’s meme of the year for 2026.

The burglar had attempted to run off with this large wad of cash, foreign and domestic, as well as a watch worth NT$5,000.

Mr. Lin
Took selfie with burglar
When I got home, and as soon as I opened the door, I saw that the living room was a total mess. When I passed by the bathroom, I saw the thief right there and then. He got a fright and so did I. He pleaded to be let go. I only asked him to return my things.

Caught red-handed, the burglar returned the stolen items, but begged not to be reported to the police. Before Mr. Lin, the homeowner let him go, he snapped a selfie with the burglar. Out of sympathy, he gave the man NT$200 cash for food and transportation then sent him off. But Mr. Lin worried that other homes in the area could get burgled too, so he still reported the incident to the police.

Mr. Lin
Took selfie with burglar
He said he didn’t have any money and that he was starving. He also didn’t have money for transportation. So I took out NT$200 from my wallet. I also walked him downstairs. The selfie could well be a memento. I’m happy that at least I got to meet him today.

Mr. Lin
Son
Dad even took a selfie with him. It’s looks like he hired an actor or generated it with AI. But my dad doesn’t lie. It is real and it’s hilarious.

In the end, Mr. Lin still discovered that NT$25,000 in cash and a wedding ring went missing. Luckily, he took a photo with the burglar for the police to identify and track down.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#funny #selfie #bizarre #huh #what #taipei #instantkarma

2026-04-08

Area near Taipei Main considered no-go zone for food delivery drivers

2026-04-08

Ceiling comes crashing down at upscale building in Kaohsiung

Residents of an upscale building built just eight years ago in Kaohsiung are angry and scared, after the ceiling of the lobby suddenly collapsed in the middle of night. Ornamentation made of wooden planks and metal came crashing down without warning on an area with sofas and the reception desk. Fortunately, only the security guard was in the lobby when the incident happened, and he was able to get out of harm’s way. Residents say the quality of construction is shoddy, and are calling on the developer to take responsibility.

CCTV cameras caught the moment the ceiling collapsed, with metal frames and wooden planks crashing over the sofa area.

The reception was wrecked. The night-shift security guard was lucky to dash to a corner just in time to avoid getting crushed. He emerged with just light abrasions on his arms.

Security guard
Was injured in collapse
I saw the wooden panels crack and fall. Luckily, there was a gap on one side. I was there at the time and I almost got crushed under it all.

Liu Yin-chun
FTV reporter
The lobby has since been cordoned off to prevent any further injuries. Residents heading to work or school had to go the long way to get out via an underground passage instead.

Resident
Ceiling collapsed in reception
It’s such a hassle. And it’s really scary. I don’t understand how the whole ceiling could collapse just like that.

The collapse happened at an apartment complex built 8 years ago in Kaohsiung’s Xinxing District. The decorations on the ceiling of the lobby suddenly crumbled at around midnight. Though it is unknown what exactly caused the collapse, residents allege that the quality of construction in shared facilities is shoddy. They have reported issues to the developer multiple times, all without any resolution. The 5-year warranty period has expired without an agreement between the two parties, meaning the handover process is still incomplete.

Resident
Ceiling collapsed in reception
We don’t know much about structural issues, but they seemed to just glue things together anyhow. They’re dishonest.

Mr. Wang
Building committee
There are leaks, wall damage, and discolored tiles. There’s a regulation about a 5-year warranty period, but we can’t pursue that any more. We not after compensation. We want them to do things properly.

Similar ceiling designs can be found on other floors of the building, and residents worry about further collapses. They are urging the developer to take responsibility.

Mr. Wang
Building committee
We will definitely continue to push for this and do our best, but for now we have to wait for their assessment of the main cause.

The collapse happened at a time that there was no construction work underway, and there is no stormy weather or earthquake that can be blamed. The developer says that once the cause is found, they will take full responsibility for repairs.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#collapse #lavish #building #construction #shoddy

2026-04-08

Runaway workers descend utility pole to flee from police

2026-04-08

Midnight mantra chanting scares Nantou residents

2026-04-08