Shot US Lawmaker Regains Speech

U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords is speaking for the first time since being shot in the head during an event in her home state of Arizona last month.A spokesman for the injured lawmaker said Wednesday that Giffords began speaking within the last few days and that every day she is able to say more.The spokesman she was able to ask for toast with her breakfast on Wednesday. He called Giffords a “fighter,” saying she is improving daily.Her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, has said doctors think she will make a “really good” recovery. He told reporters he originally thought that her pace of improvement would be much slower.On January 8th, a gunman opened fire as Giffords was meeting with constituents in Tucson. Six people were killed, including a U.S. federal judge and a nine-year-old girl. Thirteen others, including Giffords, were wounded.The suspect in the shooting, 22-year-old Jared Loughner, has been indicted for attempting to assassinate Giffords and attempting to murder two of her aides. Loughner has pleaded not guilty. He also is expected to be charged with murder – Voanews