Just a couple of days before the US Vice President Mike Pence ends his term at the White House, the VP and the Second Lady visited the US troops for one last time in their official capacity.

During their last visit to the US troops, Mike and Karen Pence were seen getting emotional during their address to the troops.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-set-to-talk-about-unity-in-his-inaugural-speech-amid-backdrop-of-riots-357548">Joe Biden set to talk about unity in his inaugural speech, amid backdrop of riots</a>

"You know, it is such an honor to be with you — here I go," Karen Pence said as she choked up a bit. "...for our very last trip as vice president and second lady of the United States. But it is such an honor to be here with you."

Mike Pence shortly joined his wife on the stage and thanked the troops for giving him an opportunity to serve them while they took care of the borders of the country. "As our time in office draws to a close, allow me to thank you for the privilege of serving as your vice president. It's been the greatest honor of my life. And it's been a special privilege to serve all of you," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/washington-on-high-alert-ahead-of-biden-inauguration-357513">WATCH|</a>

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Thanking the troops and locals for consistent support, especially in the pandemic year 2019, the Vice President said, "We've all been through a lot this past year, but through it all I've seen the strength and resilience of the American people shine forth. And I see that strength in your faces today."

Sharing the message of hope and restoring strength throughout the country, he said, "I have faith that the day will come when we put these challenging times in the past and emerge stronger and better than ever. We will heal our land. We will renew our strength. And the best days for the greatest nation on earth are yet to come."

His last visit in the official capacity of the Vice President comes a few days before the President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>'s inauguration ceremony. Pence, unlike the outgoing US President Donald Trump, is expected to attend the ceremony which will be held on January 20 in the US Capitol.

Just a couple of days before the US Vice President Mike Pence ends his term at the White House, the VP and the Second Lady visited the US troops for one last time in their official capacity.

Just a couple of days before the US Vice President Mike Pence ends his term at the White House, the VP and the Second Lady visited the US troops for one last time in their official capacity. During their last visit to the US troops, Mike and Karen Pence were seen getting emotional during their address to the troops. Also read| Joe Biden set to talk about unity in his inaugural speech, amid backdrop of riots "You know, it is such an honor to be with you — here I go," Karen Pence said as she choked up a bit. "...for our very last trip as vice president and second lady of the United States. But it is such an honor to be here with you." Mike Pence shortly joined his wife on the stage and thanked the troops for giving him an opportunity to serve them while they took care of the borders of the country. "As our time in office draws to a close, allow me to thank you for the privilege of serving as your vice president. It's been the greatest honor of my life. And it's been a special privilege to serve all of you," he said. WATCH| Thanking the troops and locals for consistent support, especially in the pandemic year 2019, the Vice President said, "We've all been through a lot this past year, but through it all I've seen the strength and resilience of the American people shine forth. And I see that strength in your faces today." Sharing the message of hope and restoring strength throughout the country, he said, "I have faith that the day will come when we put these challenging times in the past and emerge stronger and better than ever. We will heal our land. We will renew our strength. And the best days for the greatest nation on earth are yet to come." His last visit in the official capacity of the Vice President comes a few days before the President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony. Pence, unlike the outgoing US President Donald Trump, is expected to attend the ceremony which will be held on January 20 in the US Capitol.

Mike Pence and wife conclude term with an emotional last visit to US troops

President Donald Trump celebrated his new Secretary of Defense with pomp and pagentry at the Pentagon, Thursday. The president, along with Vice President Mike Pence and Pentagon leaders participated in a full honors welcome ceremony, including a 21-gun-salute, for Mark Esper, an Army veteran and former defense industry lobbyist who was confirmed by the Senate 90-8 and sworn in on Tuesday. In remarks at the ceremony, Trump congratulated Esper and expressed confidence he is the right person for the growing challenges of the times.

Trump celebrates new Defense Secretary Mark Esper

For the first time in 13 years, the spacesuit astronaut Neil Armstrong wore in his mission to the moon went on display to the public at the Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum on Tuesday, exactly 50 years to the day when the Apollo 11 launched into space. The ceremony was attended by Armstrong's son Rick who unveiled it along with Vice President Mike Pence who recalled how the US was deeply divided in the late 1960s but came together in pride when Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon.

Neil Armstrong's spacesuit goes on display

US President Trump on Monday will <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-asks-un-council-to-uphold-resolutions-on-golan-heights-204971">formally recognise Israeli </a>sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Vice President Mike Pence said.

"Today for the first time in 52 years, with Prime Minister Netanyahu at his side, the president of the US will formally recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights," Pence said as he addressed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee(AIPAC) on Monday.

Last week <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-unfortunate-statement-on-golan-heights-brings-region-to-edge-of-new-crisis-erdogan-204870">President Trump had said</a> it was time to back Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

"After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the state of Israel and regional stability!" Trump had said on Twitter.

Israel had seized Golan Heights from Syria during the six-day conflict in June, 1967 when it defeated the Arab coalition consisting of Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Israel later annexed the territory - a move not recognised by the international community. The move hasn't been supported by successive US Presidents since then.

Yisrael Katz, Israel's foreign minister had said on Monday on Twitter that, "President Trump will sign tomorrow in the presence of PM Netanyahu an order recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights."

Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was supposed to be present at the AIPAC conference but he cut short his visit after a rocket attack from Gaza Strip hit northern Israel on Monday morning.

Netanyahu called up President Trump after he had made the announcement on Golan Heights to tell him he had made "history," and called the gesture a "Purim miracle," a reference to the Jewish holiday that Israel was celebrating that day.

Syria, Turkey and other Arab nations condemned Trump's move. However, Trump's Middle East envoy, Jason Greenblatt, said it was inconceivable Israel "would allow the Golan to be controlled by the state of Syria or by any of the rogue actors operating in the areas, including Iran."

US President Trump on Monday will formally recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Vice President Mike Pence said. "Today for the first time in 52 years, with Prime Minister Netanyahu at his side, the president of the US will formally recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights," Pence said as he addressed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee(AIPAC) on Monday.

US President Trump on Monday will formally recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Vice President Mike Pence said. "Today for the first time in 52 years, with Prime Minister Netanyahu at his side, the president of the US will formally recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights," Pence said as he addressed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee(AIPAC) on Monday. Last week President Trump had said it was time to back Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. "After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the state of Israel and regional stability!" Trump had said on Twitter. Israel had seized Golan Heights from Syria during the six-day conflict in June, 1967 when it defeated the Arab coalition consisting of Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Israel later annexed the territory - a move not recognised by the international community. The move hasn't been supported by successive US Presidents since then. Yisrael Katz, Israel's foreign minister had said on Monday on Twitter that, "President Trump will sign tomorrow in the presence of PM Netanyahu an order recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights." Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was supposed to be present at the AIPAC conference but he cut short his visit after a rocket attack from Gaza Strip hit northern Israel on Monday morning. Netanyahu called up President Trump after he had made the announcement on Golan Heights to tell him he had made "history," and called the gesture a "Purim miracle," a reference to the Jewish holiday that Israel was celebrating that day. Syria, Turkey and other Arab nations condemned Trump's move. However, Trump's Middle East envoy, Jason Greenblatt, said it was inconceivable Israel "would allow the Golan to be controlled by the state of Syria or by any of the rogue actors operating in the areas, including Iran."

President Trump will formally recognise Israel's sovereignty over Golan Heights: Pence

President Donald Trump turned up the heat on Friday on fellow Republicans in the US Senate to pass a bill dismantling the Obamacare law, but with their retooled&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;plan drawing fire within the party even one more defection would doom it.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has planned for a vote next week on revised legislation, unveiled on Thursday, and he has his work cut out for him in the coming days to get the 50 &quot;yes&quot; votes needed for passage. Republicans control the Senate by a 52-48 margin and cannot afford to lose more than two from within their ranks because of united Democratic opposition, but two Republican senators already have declared opposition.

&quot;After all of these years of suffering thru Obamacare, Republican Senators must come through as they have promised,&quot; Trump, who made gutting Obamacare one of his central campaign promises last year, wrote on Twitter from Paris, where he attended Bastille Day celebrations.

The top US doctors&#39; group, the American Medical Association, on Friday called the new bill inadequate and said more bipartisan collaboration is needed in the months ahead to improve the delivery and financing of&nbsp;healthcare. Hospital and medical advocacy groups also have criticised&nbsp;the bill.

&quot;The revised bill does not address the key concerns of physicians and patients regarding proposed Medicaid cuts and inadequate subsidies that will result in millions of Americans losing health insurance coverage,&quot; AMA president Dr David Barbe said, referring to the government insurance program for the poor and disabled.

A major test for McConnell&#39;s legislation expected early next week is an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which last month forecast that the prior version of the bill would have resulted in 22 million Americans losing insurance over the next decade.

A day after that CBO analysis was issued, McConnell postponed a planned vote on the legislation because of a revolt within his own party, including moderates and hard-line conservatives.

While the bill&#39;s prospects may look precarious, the same could have been said of&nbsp;health care legislation that ultimately was passed by the House of Representatives. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan called off a vote in March in the face of a rebellion involving the disparate factions of the party but managed to coax enough lawmakers to back it and engineered narrow approval on May 4.

Pence seeks support

Vice president Mike Pence sought to shore up support among the nation&#39;s governors at a meeting in Rhode Island, but a key Republican governor, Ohio&#39;s John Kasich, came out strongly against the revised bill, saying its Medicaid cuts were too deep and it does too little to stabilise the insurance market.

Kasich&#39;s opposition could put pressure on Rob Portman, a Republican senator from Ohio, who has not yet taken a position on the bill.

If the current Senate legislation collapses, some lawmakers have raised the possibility of seeking bipartisan legislation to fix parts of Obamacare but leaving intact the structure of the Affordable Care Act, Democratic former President Barack Obama&#39;s signature legislative achievement, commonly known as Obamacare.

&quot;There are changes that need to be made to the law,&quot; Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, told MSNBC, citing &quot;a bipartisan appetite to tackle this issue.&quot;

Moderate Susan Collins and conservative Rand Paul already oppose the revised Senate bill. Other Republican senators have either expressed concern or remained noncommittal, including Portman, Mike Lee, Shelley Moore Capito, John McCain, Dean Heller, John Hoeven, Lisa Murkowski, Jeff Flake, Ben Sasse, Cory Gardner, Todd Young and Thom Tillis. Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy floated an alternative plan.

The new version was crafted to satisfy the Republican Party&#39;s various elements, including moderates worried about Americans who would be left without medical coverage and hard-line conservatives who demand less government regulation of health insurance.

A provision championed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and aimed at attracting conservatives would let insurers sell cheap, bare-bones insurance policies that would not have to cover broad benefits mandated under Obamacare.

But two major health insurance groups, America&#39;s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, called on McConnell to drop the Cruz proposal, saying it would undermine protections for pre-existing medical conditions, raise insurance premiums and destabilise the individual insurance market.

The bill retained certain Obamacare taxes on the wealthy that the earlier version would have eliminated, a step moderates could embrace. But it kept the core of the earlier bill, including ending the expansion of Medicaid that was instrumental in enabling Obamacare to expand coverage to 20 million people, and restructuring that social safety-net program.

John Thune, a member of the Senate Republican leadership, said in order to complete work on the bill by the end of next week, Senate leaders would have to try to formally begin debate on Tuesday or Wednesday, a move that requires a majority vote.

Vice president Mike Pence sought to shore up support among the nation's governors at a meeting in Rhode Island, but a key Republican governor, Ohio's John Kasich, came out strongly against the revised bill, saying its Medicaid cuts were too deep and it does too little to stabilise the insurance market

President Donald Trump turned up the heat on Friday on fellow Republicans in the US Senate to pass a bill dismantling the Obamacare law, but with their retooled healthcare plan drawing fire within the party even one more defection would doom it. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has planned for a vote next week on revised legislation, unveiled on Thursday, and he has his work cut out for him in the coming days to get the 50 "yes" votes needed for passage. Republicans control the Senate by a 52-48 margin and cannot afford to lose more than two from within their ranks because of united Democratic opposition, but two Republican senators already have declared opposition. "After all of these years of suffering thru Obamacare, Republican Senators must come through as they have promised," Trump, who made gutting Obamacare one of his central campaign promises last year, wrote on Twitter from Paris, where he attended Bastille Day celebrations. The top US doctors' group, the American Medical Association, on Friday called the new bill inadequate and said more bipartisan collaboration is needed in the months ahead to improve the delivery and financing of healthcare. Hospital and medical advocacy groups also have criticised the bill. "The revised bill does not address the key concerns of physicians and patients regarding proposed Medicaid cuts and inadequate subsidies that will result in millions of Americans losing health insurance coverage," AMA president Dr David Barbe said, referring to the government insurance program for the poor and disabled. A major test for McConnell's legislation expected early next week is an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which last month forecast that the prior version of the bill would have resulted in 22 million Americans losing insurance over the next decade. A day after that CBO analysis was issued, McConnell postponed a planned vote on the legislation because of a revolt within his own party, including moderates and hard-line conservatives. While the bill's prospects may look precarious, the same could have been said of health care legislation that ultimately was passed by the House of Representatives. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan called off a vote in March in the face of a rebellion involving the disparate factions of the party but managed to coax enough lawmakers to back it and engineered narrow approval on May 4. Pence seeks support Vice president Mike Pence sought to shore up support among the nation's governors at a meeting in Rhode Island, but a key Republican governor, Ohio's John Kasich, came out strongly against the revised bill, saying its Medicaid cuts were too deep and it does too little to stabilise the insurance market. Kasich's opposition could put pressure on Rob Portman, a Republican senator from Ohio, who has not yet taken a position on the bill. If the current Senate legislation collapses, some lawmakers have raised the possibility of seeking bipartisan legislation to fix parts of Obamacare but leaving intact the structure of the Affordable Care Act, Democratic former President Barack Obama's signature legislative achievement, commonly known as Obamacare. "There are changes that need to be made to the law," Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, told MSNBC, citing "a bipartisan appetite to tackle this issue." Moderate Susan Collins and conservative Rand Paul already oppose the revised Senate bill. Other Republican senators have either expressed concern or remained noncommittal, including Portman, Mike Lee, Shelley Moore Capito, John McCain, Dean Heller, John Hoeven, Lisa Murkowski, Jeff Flake, Ben Sasse, Cory Gardner, Todd Young and Thom Tillis. Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy floated an alternative plan. The new version was crafted to satisfy the Republican Party's various elements, including moderates worried about Americans who would be left without medical coverage and hard-line conservatives who demand less government regulation of health insurance. A provision championed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and aimed at attracting conservatives would let insurers sell cheap, bare-bones insurance policies that would not have to cover broad benefits mandated under Obamacare. But two major health insurance groups, America's Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, called on McConnell to drop the Cruz proposal, saying it would undermine protections for pre-existing medical conditions, raise insurance premiums and destabilise the individual insurance market. The bill retained certain Obamacare taxes on the wealthy that the earlier version would have eliminated, a step moderates could embrace. But it kept the core of the earlier bill, including ending the expansion of Medicaid that was instrumental in enabling Obamacare to expand coverage to 20 million people, and restructuring that social safety-net program. John Thune, a member of the Senate Republican leadership, said in order to complete work on the bill by the end of next week, Senate leaders would have to try to formally begin debate on Tuesday or Wednesday, a move that requires a majority vote.

Another Republican defection would doom Senate healthcare bill

US President Donald Trump held his first-face-to-face meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday, and declared that they &quot;get along great,&quot; following an acrimonious phone call in January that strained ties between the two allies.

&quot;They said we had a rough phone call. We didn&#39;t really have a rough phone call,&quot; Trump said in dinner remarks. &quot;It got a little bit testy. But that&#39;s okay.&quot;

Dressed in tuxedos as they prepared to attend a dinner, the two leaders met on board the USS Intrepid, a World War Two aircraft carrier that is now a museum moored on Manhattan&#39;s West Side. Joined by their wives, the two leaders later attended a gala to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Turnbull was one of the first foreign leaders Trump spoke to after taking office on January 20. The Republican president became irritated that he was expected to honor an agreement made by his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, to accept as many as 1,250 refugees held in Australian processing centers on remote Pacific islands.

Trump had broken off what was supposed to be an hour-long call after 25 minutes and later tweeted that the refugee agreement was a &quot;dumb deal&quot; and vowed to study it. The call aroused criticism and raised questions about his diplomatic skills.

Vice President Mike Pence visited Australia in April and made clear that while Trump was not happy about the refugee agreement, the United States would honor it out of respect for Australia. Under the agreement, Australia is to resettle refugees from three Central American countries.

Thursday&#39;s get-together with Turnbull was delayed because of Trump&#39;s hastily arranged White House celebration with Republicans from the US House of Representatives after they narrowly passed a healthcare bill that would repeal and replace the 2010 Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. The measure has yet to come before the Senate.

Trump and Turnbull were all smiles as they answered questions about the January phone call and the refugee deal during a picture-taking session.

&quot;We get along great. We have a fantastic relationship, I love Australia, I always have,&quot; Trump said.

Turnbull added: &quot;We can put the refugee deal behind you and move on.&quot;

Trump said the refugee deal had been &quot;worked out for a long time&quot; and that reporters had exaggerated the phone call.

&quot;We had a great call,&quot; he said, adding, &quot;I mean, we&#39;re not babies.&quot;

&quot;Young at heart,&quot; added Turnbull.

Trump vowed to visit Australia as president, calling it &quot;one of the great, great places&quot; and noted he had many friends there. One such friend, pro golfer Greg Norman, was among the attendees at the Intrepid dinner.

In dinner remarks after their meeting, Turnbull celebrated the unity of spirit that brought the two countries together against Japan in World War Two, and said Australia and the United States are united against North Korea&#39;s nuclear and missile programs and are fighting together in Afghanistan.

&quot;Today and together, we condemn and we resist North Korea&rsquo;s provocation,&quot; he said.

It was Trump&#39;s first trip back to New York, his home and where he made his name and fortune, since the former real estate executive moved into the White House in January.

His motorcade passed hundreds of protesters as it arrived at the Intrepid in the early evening. Trump did not plan to visit Trump Tower, his home in midtown Manhattan where his wife, first lady Melania Trump, and their young son Barron still live, but instead was to spend the weekend at his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey.

(Reuters)

Dressed in tuxedos as they prepared to attend a dinner, the two leaders met on board the USS Intrepid, a World War Two aircraft carrier that is now a museum

US President Donald Trump held his first-face-to-face meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday, and declared that they "get along great," following an acrimonious phone call in January that strained ties between the two allies. "They said we had a rough phone call. We didn't really have a rough phone call," Trump said in dinner remarks. "It got a little bit testy. But that's okay." Dressed in tuxedos as they prepared to attend a dinner, the two leaders met on board the USS Intrepid, a World War Two aircraft carrier that is now a museum moored on Manhattan's West Side. Joined by their wives, the two leaders later attended a gala to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea. Turnbull was one of the first foreign leaders Trump spoke to after taking office on January 20. The Republican president became irritated that he was expected to honor an agreement made by his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, to accept as many as 1,250 refugees held in Australian processing centers on remote Pacific islands. Trump had broken off what was supposed to be an hour-long call after 25 minutes and later tweeted that the refugee agreement was a "dumb deal" and vowed to study it. The call aroused criticism and raised questions about his diplomatic skills. Vice President Mike Pence visited Australia in April and made clear that while Trump was not happy about the refugee agreement, the United States would honor it out of respect for Australia. Under the agreement, Australia is to resettle refugees from three Central American countries. Thursday's get-together with Turnbull was delayed because of Trump's hastily arranged White House celebration with Republicans from the US House of Representatives after they narrowly passed a healthcare bill that would repeal and replace the 2010 Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. The measure has yet to come before the Senate. Trump and Turnbull were all smiles as they answered questions about the January phone call and the refugee deal during a picture-taking session. "We get along great. We have a fantastic relationship, I love Australia, I always have," Trump said. Turnbull added: "We can put the refugee deal behind you and move on." Trump said the refugee deal had been "worked out for a long time" and that reporters had exaggerated the phone call. "We had a great call," he said, adding, "I mean, we're not babies." "Young at heart," added Turnbull. Trump vowed to visit Australia as president, calling it "one of the great, great places" and noted he had many friends there. One such friend, pro golfer Greg Norman, was among the attendees at the Intrepid dinner. In dinner remarks after their meeting, Turnbull celebrated the unity of spirit that brought the two countries together against Japan in World War Two, and said Australia and the United States are united against North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and are fighting together in Afghanistan. "Today and together, we condemn and we resist North Korea’s provocation," he said. It was Trump's first trip back to New York, his home and where he made his name and fortune, since the former real estate executive moved into the White House in January. His motorcade passed hundreds of protesters as it arrived at the Intrepid in the early evening. Trump did not plan to visit Trump Tower, his home in midtown Manhattan where his wife, first lady Melania Trump, and their young son Barron still live, but instead was to spend the weekend at his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey. (Reuters)

Trump and Australia's Turnbull meet after acrimonious phone call