welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. my name is mike embley. our top stories: smiles and applause after congress takes the first step towards scrapping obamaca re in favour of trumpca re. this is, make no mistake, this is a repeal and a replace of obamacare, make no mistake about it. make no mistake. after 70 years in the public eye prince philip, husband of queen elizabeth, is retiring. now it gets personal. france's presidential frontrunner, macron, files a lawsuit, after rival, le pen, repeats claims he has a secret bank account. also in the programme: one of rome's most important landmarks gets a multi—million dollar makeover.

hello. president trump has finally notched up a major legislative victory, the first stage in repealing barack obama's signature achievement the affordable care act. the us house of representatives has narrowly passed the republican replacement for obamacare. but how quickly the new bill becomes law, whether it does at all, is a whole other question. it will face a very tight vote in the senate. here's our north america editor, jon sopel. the moment at just after two o'clock this afternoon in washington, when trumpcare became a thing. the ayes are 217. the nays are 213. the bill is passed. without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. shame, shame, shame, shame. but outside, a rather different scene, as protesters chant, "shame." this fight isn't over yet. getting the measure through the senate is going to be every bit as tough. because, as today's debate showed, this is a deeply divisive issue. so, i ask you, my colleagues, does trumpcare lower health costs?

no. does trumpca re provide better healthcare? no. does trumpca re protect seniors and families? no. has panto season come to politics? yes. are we going to be men and women of our word? yes. are we going to keep the promises that we made? yes. or are we going to falter? thank you. in the rose garden this afternoon, the president beamed. a time for fist pumps and hugs with the speaker. this is an important legislative victory. this is a great plan. i actually think it will get even better. this is, make no mistake, this is a repeal and a replace of obamacare, make no mistake about it. make no mistake. they're dancing a happy dance at the white house today. but he extraordinary thing about this vote is that there's been no independent assessment done on who will be affected, in what way, and what the costs will be. by the time this gets to the senate, that will have happened.

and that could affect whether obamacare really does become trumpcare. jon sopel, bbc news, washington. i've been speaking to the bbc‘s laura bicker, who's also in wasington. i put it to her that this was by no means a done deal. no. this is only one stage. it was supposed to be the easy stage. look how difficult it was. this is the third attempt. it has taken arm—twisting and it onlyjust got in bya arm—twisting and it onlyjust got in by a few votes. i am tracking what many leading senators, republican senators, i thinking of this bill. i have counted at least three or four this evening who are wary, who said they will not pass it in its current

form, and even donald trump admitted in the speech at the rose garden earlier today that he felt it could get better. when it comes to the issues, it is the same issues that the republicans cannot agree on. ones is pre—existing conditions. cancer, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, difficult to insure. the expansion and lack thereof of medicaid. the poorest, what do they do? and the tax breaks for the wealthy. people are wondering if this is best for their state. that is part of the problem. that republican majority in the senate, only two, including some senators who have called for significant changes. there may be hostile actions around the country when independent costings come through. we are still waiting to hear from

the congressional office. 2a million americans would not have health coverage under this new republican plan, apparently. that was too many to stomach for some republicans. but still, among the more right—wing and conservative side of the party, they hate the idea of government being involved in something as personal as healthcare, and involved in something as personal as healthca re, and they involved in something as personal as healthcare, and they want to see the hand of government out of healthcare totally. you cannot please both sides of the party. they have come toa sides of the party. they have come to a compromise in the house, but when it goes to the senate, it may be more difficult. if the changes in the senate and has to go back to the house, how does that go down? this bill is farfrom house, how does that go down? this bill is far from being house, how does that go down? this bill is farfrom being passed, despite celebrations in the rose garden earlier. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news. fresh from his healthcare victory

president trump has been back in his home city new york, meeting australian prime minister malcolm turnbull. mr trump said his disagreement with australia over a deal to accept refugees from a detention camp there has been resolved — he said they "got along great". it was their first encounter since a famously sharp phone conversation three months ago. they came to a decommissioned aircraft carrier to mark the seventy—fifth anniversary of the second world war battle of the coral sea. eight brazilian men have beenjailed for planning islamist attacks at the rio olympics and for using the internet to promote the islamic state group. the men were arrested shortly before the beginning of the games, in august, after the fbi alerted the brazilian authorities. russia, turkey, and iran have signed an agreement, to establish four safe zones in syria. the proposals drawn up by moscow were agreed by delegates,

at a second day of peace negotiations in kazakhstan. representatives of the syrian armed opposition, walked out of the talks, saying, they could not accept the plan. counting is under way following local elections in britain that are being seen as a key indicator as to how next month's general election might go. voters across england, scotland and wales have been choosing local councillors and mayors. for our uk viewers, we'll have more on this in a few minutes, after the weather. approaching his 96th birthday, after almost 70 years in the public eye, prince philip, husband of britain's queen elizabeth, is calling it a day. he will retire from royal duties later this year. buckingham palace says the decision is not related to any health issues. this from our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell. it's an image to which the nation has become accustomed over a good many decades. the queen and the duke of edinburgh side by side on official business. today, they were at a reception at st james's palace. the duke, a few steps behind, and there in support. inside, meeting members of the order of merit. swapping stories about hearing aids. we've all got them. and joking about retirement. you're standing down? i can't stand up much.

"never mind standing down, i have trouble standing up," he said. but, come the autumn, his attendance at events such as this will be the exception. after nearly 70 years of public service, the duke has decided a few weeks short of his 96th birthday that it's finally time to step back from public duties. the palace says the decision has not been prompted by any particular concerns about his health and the evidence would support that. yesterday, he was at lord's cricket ground, opening a new stand, and sharing a familiarjoke. i'm the world's most experienced plaque unveiler. alongside all those plaques he's unveiled are the serious achievements, things like the duke of edinburgh award scheme. but his most important contribution has been the support he's given to his wife, the queen.

as she's become the longest reigning monarch in british history, he's become the longest serving consort. they've done it together. on their golden wedding anniversary, the queen spoke about how much her husband meant to her. he is someone who doesn't take easily to compliments. but he has quite simply been my strength and stay all these years. and i, and his whole family, and this, and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know. soon, though, the duke's public role will come largely to an end. the palace statement said, prince philip will attend previously scheduled engagements between now and august, both individually and accompanying the queen. thereafter, the duke will not be accepting new invitations for visits and engagements, although he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time. political leaders paid their tributes. for his steadfast support for her majesty the queen,

to his inspirational duke of edinburgh awards, the queen will undoubtedly miss him on public occasions. there's no doubt that when they go out for a day together, they are mutual support system. having been on tours with them, having followed in the car behind them, you see at the end of the day they get together into the car and he entertains her hugely, telling her funny stories about what's happened during the day. so she will definitely miss all that and occasionally she will strike us as a lonely figure. but she'll be going back to buckingham palace, windsor castle, balmoral, and he will be there. slowly but surely there is a generational shift taking place at the palace. officials have made it clear that the queen will continue with her public engagements. but, at the age of 91 now, her load is being lightened. as monarch, she is still the centralfigure. as today has underlined, there is starting to be tangible evidence of transition. nicholas witchell, bbc news. nicholas witchell reporting.

the frontrunner in the race for the french presidency, emmanuel macron, has filed a lawsuit over on line rumours that he has a secret bank account in the caribbean. prosecutors in paris have opened an investigation. he is widely seen as coming out on top from wednesday's fierce and ill—tempered tv debate with his rival marine le pen. back campaigning, she was the target of an egg—throwing attack. lucy williamson reports. borders and barriers aren't really emmanuel macron‘s thing. but when you might be the next president of france, your supporters have to get used to them. and so the european flags that mark his rallies were waved today from behind rows of fencing. france, he said, needed to end divisions, of its people, its land, and its social classes. translation: we've seen that society in the uk, where the middle—class implodes. and that was the moment that britain decided to withdraw from the world stage.

momentum is building behind emmanuel macron but this fight has been getting ever more personal. with just one more day of campaigning left, the end of france's extraordinary presidential race is in sight. 2a hours after a bitter debate with marine le pen, mr macron is still seen as the firm favourite. some of his voters say they are not choosing him, so much as blocking the far right. two thirds of the country's far left supporters may not vote for him at all. if marine le pen wins, it will be of course. if emmanuel macron wins, what will be the consequence? in five years, marine le pen will be so strong. it's not what i prefer. it's what i have to do. critics have accused marine le pen of using last night's debate to goad her opponent.

but personal attacks happen on the campaign trail, too. today, an egg, thrown during a visit to northern france. translation: the french people know my programme very well. that is because it is very clear. i have been presenting it to them for several years. i want to lift the veil, and i believe i did that successfully, on who mr macron is. there's more than one role at stake in this campaign. the presidency is the real treasure but, for france's far right party, emerging as the official opposition would also be a prize. this campaign has been, in many ways, and argument over french identity. no matter how many european flags are waved, every election rally here ends the same. la marseillaise plays. even if france's political map has changed. lucy williams, bbc news. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: rio's police struggle to cope after

the games have gone. the drug gangs are back. i, nelson rolihlahla mandela, do hereby serve to be faithful to the republic of south africa. after six years of construction and numerous delays, the channel tunnel has been formally opened by the queen and president mitterrand. the tunnel is still not yet ready for passengers and freight services to begin. for centuries, christianity and islam struggled for supremacy. now the pope's visit symbolises their willingness to coexist. roger bannister became the first man in the world to run a mile in under four minutes. memories of victory as the ve celebrations reach their climax. this night is dedicated to everyone

who believes in a future of peace and freedom. this is bbc news. the latest headlines: president trump has scored a victory after congress took the first step towards scrapping barack obama's flagship health plan. 70 years in the public eye and prince philip is retiring. let's stay with our top story. the trump administration has been celebrating after the us house of representatives narrowly passed legislation to repeal and replace major parts of obamacare. drjay wolfson is professor of public health and medicine at the university of south florida. welcome. this is a significant

political victory for the president. what is your take on the bill and what happens next? it is principally a political victory, you are correct. it is a first step in a longer process of getting the bill through congress. it passed by a narrow margin and many who didn't agree with it agreed to go along with it because they understood that later on it will seek provisions. in the senate, the higher body, there area number of the senate, the higher body, there are a number of moderate republicans. another of them who are not going to allow the bill to pass in its current state and who are concerned about backlash in associated with some of the potential adverse effects of components of this bill. of course the democrats, who would be against, also some republicans who wanted a more extreme bill. yes, there are some very conservative republicans who wanted to completely trash all of the components of the old affordable care act because they

don't believe the government should be devoting any of its resources to supporting healthcare for individuals, individualshould be more responsible and in america we go it alone as opposed to the rest of most of the world. after the first failure to get trumpcare through, a lot of people had a tough time at places like town hall meetings. some of the biggest provisions i don't think come in until after the 2018 bid terms? exactly. that was one of the clever political tools. when the original obamacare political tools. when the original obamaca re was passed political tools. when the original obamacare was passed in 2008 it was written pretty much and passed with an obscure parliamentary procedure. the republicans were very angry about that and they passed six or seven attempts to trash the law and didn't succeed because they didn't have a majority and president obama revealed it. and the republicans knew that if the democrats tried to revise it it wouldn't work. the democrat said when they were at it

that it was flawed. it had operational flaws. now the republicans are the majority they have the opportunity to use the same technique. they did not go out after two failed attempts to have meetings with their constituents because they got very bad feedback on those things. indeed, most of the provisions of this proposed bill would not take effect until 2019, after the mid—term elections, ostensibly protecting the political integrity of incumbents. obviously the political point for the republicans is to do away with the signatory achievement of president obama. what do you make of the announcement that says they will cut dedicate by over $800 million, largely to fund tax cuts for the 1%. is that fair? it's not really fair. this entire programme is only eight yea rs this entire programme is only eight years old. if the entire obamacare legislation was scrapped, and that's

not what is being proposed by the way, and the acidly going back to 2008, at which time people who didn't have injuries when the emergency rooms, free clinics and insurance companies were able to craft a ny insurance companies were able to craft any policies they wanted, excluding people. some of the provisions of obamacare are truly embraced by most americans, especially the conclusion against having previous conditions work against you, reducing the cost of pharmaceuticals to many of the elderly, as well as the subsidies. but most americans are under this mandate that says, you have to buy this, whether you like it or needed. that's like saying you need to buy broccoli with —— whether you like it or not. americans didn't like idea of expanding medicate. most states goes not to do it. under this new provision those states might be punished in many ways. this proposal

makes the states the bad guys in interpreting how the new law will be applied to individuals, unless the government steps back and lets federal legislators say, we kept our promise. still plenty to pay -- play for. thanks very much. less than a year after the olympic games, there's been an upsurge of violence in parts of rio de janeiro. the huge cost of the games means the city doesn't have enough money to properly fund its police and that's led to drug gangs re—taking territory and more armed clashes. the human rights organisation amnesty international has criticised the police, accusing them of using excessive force. bill hayton reports. moving like a military unit, a drugs gang shows who controls this turf. in the run—up to last year's olympics, police took control of areas like this, but now rival groups are fighting each other and the police. in the first two months of 2017, says amnesty international, police killed 182 people in rio, almost double the figure of a year ago.

translation: everyone is terrified. we are scared to go out in the streets. people are stopping doing normal things. this week, to divert and stretch police resources, drugs gangs hijacked and set fire to local buses. the authorities in rio admit they can't cope. local police seize one illegal firearm every hour but say a lack of funds means they can't control the streets. translation: the government must give the police the necessary tools so they can work. we are talking about a police force which has not received full pay or bonuses and has not been able to take time off owed from the olympic games. the central government has pledged to send another 100 federal police officers to rio but it too admits that it can't solve the problems overnight. translation: rio has this historical difference which is an insecurity that sometimes goes up and sometimes comes down. right now it is clear that rio de janeiro needs the helping hand the president is offering.

the city wants enough officers to permanently occupy the slums. at the moment all they do is mount raids which result in armed clashes. caught in the middle are the ten of thousands of civilians living in poor parts of the city. human rights groups fear they will become the main victims of rio's renewed violence. bill hayton, bbc news. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news. an argentine mountaineer stranded on canada's highest peak has been told she'll have to wait another day for a helicopter rescue, due to bad weather. natalia martinez has been on mount logan since monday, unable to move after strong earthquakes triggered large avalanches. she is uninjured and her campsite is safe but the surrounding terrain is unstable. an australian woman who killed eight children in a stabbing attack at her home will not stand trial because she was of unsound mind.

raina thaiday was experiencing a psychotic episode when she turned on herfour sons, three daughters and a niece in cairns in december 2014. the legal decision means she can't be held criminally responsible. countless female basketballers are smiling tonight, after basketball‘s world governing body changed its rules to allow women to wear the hijab during matches. previous rules had banned the practice, over what governing body fiba said was a safety issue. qatar even withdraw from the 2014 asian games because of the old ruling. one of rome's most important landmarks is to be restored to its former glory. renovation work is to be carried out on the mausoleum of augustus, the first roman emperor. it's estimated it'll cost more than $6 million. hardhats at the ready, the mayor of rome and other officials arrived at

the tomb built more than 2000 years ago. an iconic landmark in a city full of iconic landmarks. this is history in brick and stone. translation: certainly the project and the restoration works are enormous. i hope that soon it will be given back to the citizens of rome. the mausoleum of augustus was built in 28 bc by emperor augustus, the first emperor of rome. his remains were buried here, as were those of several of his successors. the tomb was plundered in the fifth century before falling into disrepair. later it was restored by fascist dictator mussolini and abandoned again. the renovations we re abandoned again. the renovations were expected to take at least two yea rs. were expected to take at least two years. once complete, the mausoleum will be a reminder of ancient times and reminder of the glory of rome. tim allman, bbc news. and a reminder, you can get in touch

with me and most of the team on twitter — i'm @bbc mike embley. and there is more on all the news any time on the bbc website. thank you for watching. hello there. northern and western areas once again the best for the sunshine today. little change from what we've seen in recent day. still quite breezy across the country and still fairly grey to start with in southern—most counties of england and wales. but here a few more glimpses of sunshine around through the day than we've been used to. any spots of rain limited to the south coast and the channel islands, although cloud will return across east anglia and the south—east, as well as parts of the midlands later in the day. with the sunshine the best in the west, western wales, western parts of scotland, could hit 19 or 20 celsius. still cool with the onshore breeze across those eastern coastal counties.

as we go into friday night, mostly dry but a bit more cloud then pushes through the midlands, towards northern england, wales and northern ireland. a cloudier day here for saturday with a few spots of light rain and drizzle. the other change for saturday is we could actually see some more persistent rain push close to the channel islands, cornwall, the isles of scilly, through the day, even a few showers in devon. but scotland and parts of northern ireland stay with the sunshine, and a brighter and less chilly day to come in east anglia and the south—east. bye for now. welcome. this is bbc news. a summary of the local election results so far. some results have already been announced following yesterday's polling. for 88 councils in england, scotla nd polling. for 88 councils in england, scotland and wales. there are merry —— also elections for six new areas of london. labour's candidate has

won the election in doncaster. with me isjohn won the election in doncaster. with me is john curtis, won the election in doncaster. with me isjohn curtis, professor of politics at the university of strathclyde. welcome. what do you think? the truth is that the expectations generated by the opinion polls over the last couple of weeks look like they will largely be confirmed by rhythm —— by the results and we have gotten most of the results. the only results we have seen overnight, a strong swing to the conservatives, averaging around seven percentage points. that's enough to mean that the conservatives are well ahead of labour nationally, given where we we re labour nationally, given where we were back in 2013 for baby to one point of doubt is where —— is exactly how far the conservatives are head. certainly the best results for the conservatives for maybe 25 yea rs. for the conservatives for maybe 25 years. conversely, at the other end of the spectrum, ukip, who did so

well in these elections four years ago, devotees falling away. —— there vote is falling. so far they have lost every single one of the seats where the results have been declared, where they won back in 2013. so the story of the opinion polls, the ukip vote is falling away, owing to the conservatives. this is something we are seeing in the ballot boxes. of course the democrats have been hopeful that these elections will begin to see these elections will begin to see the restoration of the local government base. so far it has been a rather mixed picture. they do seem to be up about three percentage points, as compared to 2013, at it isn't enough to suggest that the party has a serious prospect at the moment at least of making substantial reverses to the very serious losses in 2015's general election. so very good for the conservatives, worrying for labour, extremely disappointing for the lib dems and i think the lib dems are still left with a lot of work to do.

the usual caveat at this point is that turnout can be different in a general election that people don't a lwa ys general election that people don't always work the same way. that's right. the turnout in these elections does look as though it is up elections does look as though it is up from four years ago. although four years ago it was very low. around the mid— 30s, ab no more than half of what we got in a general election. —— maybe. but there is no reason that if the general election was held yesterday the result would have been the same. but it is difficult to believe that if the election was held yesterday that the conservatives wouldn't have won well andindeed conservatives wouldn't have won well and indeed the lib dems would not be left with many morsi than they hold at present. —— many more seats. not everybody will focus same, but in aggregate the broad picture of is likely to have been very similar. the crucial point of course is that there is an election campaign to go and of course it is possible for ukip and forthe

and of course it is possible for ukip and for the labour party to recover. but i think if they weren't aware until now that they had a lot of work to do, they have no excuse not to understand that now. briefly, we think telling people that some results won't come through until late on