US President Barack Obama will on Tuesday nominate appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor (left) as the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court. --PHOTO: AFP
WASHINGTON - US PRESIDENT Barack Obama will on Tuesday nominate appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court, a White House official said.
The move, which will delight Latino voters, a fast-growing demographic bloc which helped power Mr Obama's election win last year, will mark the president's first bid to shape the ultimate US court for a generation beyond his presidency.
The nomination of Ms Sotomayor, 54, which requires Senate confirmation, was revealed by a White House official on condition of anonymity, ahead of an official announcement at 10.15am (10.15am Singapore time).
If confirmed, she would replace retiring Justice David Souter, who is to retire next month. -- AFP
