Conflicts and extreme weather pushing global food prices higher, warns UN

Global food prices have hit a four-year high, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The Food Price Index rose for the third consecutive month to 133.3 points in August, driven by geopolitical tensions and climate shocks. Sugar prices saw the largest increase, rising nearly 12% from July, while cereal prices climbed over 2%. The FAO warns that the El Niño phenomenon could push an additional 50 million people into acute hunger by the end of next year.