Giffords Gives Thumbs-Up from Hospital Bed

The Arizona congresswoman who was the target of an assassination attempt Saturday is responding to visual cues.

Gabrielle Giffords remains in critical condition in a Tucson hospital, but she’s showing some encouraging signs. Doctors said Monday she’s responding to cues to display a certain number of fingers and at one point gave the thumbs-up sign. Doctors have removed most of her skull to alleviate swelling to her brain after a would-be assassin’s bullet traveled through the left side of her head. Her accused shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, was in court Monday and was remanded without bail after a judge advised him he might face the death penalty. Meanwhile, Barack and Michelle Obama will travel to Tucson Wednesday for memorial services for six people killed in the shooting rampage that targeted Giffords Saturday.