New figures show hunger is on the rise worldwide. The United Nations says the number of people afflicted by acute hunger rose to 925 million last year — an increase of 75 million. The total is expected to top one billion by the end of this year amidst the ongoing hike in food prices. Food costs rose 12 percent in 2006, doubled to 24 percent in 2007, and doubled again to 50 percent in the first eight months of this year.