Shot congresswoman Giffords released from hospital

Gabrielle Giffords, the Arizona congresswoman who was shot in the head during a political rally in Tucson, was released from hospital yesterday after five months of treatment.

Ms Giffords was moved from Houston, Texas, to League City, a town 26 miles south of Houston, to a home owned by her husband, the astronaut Mark Kelly. She will continue outpatient therapy at a facility that is part of the TIRR Memorial Hermann system, the Houston hospital where she has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation since late January. The congresswoman, pictured, was shot in the left side of her head and has been struggling to re-learn how to speak and walk. She will be assisted by a 24-hour home-health provider, according to a statement from the hospital.

"Anyone who knows Gabby knows that she loves being outside," her husband was quoted as saying. "Living and working in a rehab facility for five months straight has been especially challenging for her. She will still go to TIRR each day but from now on, when she finishes rehab, she will be with her family."