hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: pressure grows on the uk government to help businesses facing soaring energy bills as some of its own mps join industry bosses in asking for support. chinese president xi jinping vows to unify china and taiwan as heightened tensions over the island continue. translation: if china can be unified, all— translation: if china can be unified, all chinese _ translation: if china can be unified, all chinese will- translation: if china can be unified, all chinese will enjoy | translation: if china can be | unified, all chinese will enjoy a happy life. if china cannot unify, everyone will suffer. the united states and the taliban will hold face—to—face talks in their first meeting since the group seized control of afghanistan in august. women in the uk who are travelling home alone could soon be offered protection from a free mobile phone app. women priests and blessings for gay couples are some of the issues likely to be