Barack Obama bids farewell to Gabrielle Giffords

On his way to the podium to make his third State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, President Obama paused to warmly hug Gabrielle Giffords.

Congress erupted in applause as Mr Obama rocked her from side to side.

The congresswoman, who has made a remarkable, but not full recovery after being shot in the head, announced her retirement from Congress on Sunday.