Shot Congresswoman Giffords speaks and asks for toast

HOUSTON - The chief of staff of shot US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has said that she has recovered enough to speak, and has askedfor toast for breakfast.

In an e-mail, the aide said that Giffords made the verbal request on Monday when staff at the Houston hospital where she is being treated brought her a meal.

Six people were killed and several others were wounded in the January 14 gun attack launched by 22-year-old Jared Loughner.

Loughner is currently jailed pending trial for the shootings.

On his Facebook page, Giffords’ husband Mark Kelly said her appetite had returned and that she had been eating three meals a day, “even though it’s hospital food”, the BBC reports. (ANI)