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US Supreme Court Justice Scalia dies Antonin Scalia, conservative US Supreme Court justice, dies
(35 minutes later)
US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia - one of most conservative members of the high court - has died.US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia - one of most conservative members of the high court - has died.
Justice Scalia's death could shift the balance of power on the US high court, allowing President Barack Obama to add a fifth liberal justice to the court.Justice Scalia's death could shift the balance of power on the US high court, allowing President Barack Obama to add a fifth liberal justice to the court.
The court's conservative majority has recently stalled major efforts by the Obama administration on climate change and immigration.The court's conservative majority has recently stalled major efforts by the Obama administration on climate change and immigration.
Justice Scalia, 79, was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986.Justice Scalia, 79, was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986.
He died in his sleep early on Saturday while in West Texas for hunting trip, the US Marshall service said. He died in his sleep early on Saturday while in West Texas for hunting trip, the US Marshalls Service said.
"He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues," Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement. "His passing is a great loss to the court and the country he so loyally served."
Analysis: Anthony Zurcher, BBC News North America reporter
The death of Antonin Scalia has turned the US presidential race, and Washington politics, on its head.
The ability of a president to shape the Supreme Court for years if not decades has been an important consideration for many voters in US presidential campaigns - but it is usually an abstract concern. With the passing of conservative firebrand Scalia, that is no longer the case.
Republicans in the US Senate will do everything they can to prevent Barack Obama, who has less than 11 months left in his presidency, from naming a successor to a court that had been sharply divided between liberals and conservatives. If they succeed, then the historic nature of the current presidential campaign could not be clearer.
A Democratic victory in November means a court with a decidedly more liberal bent. If Republicans prevail they preserve their slender conservative majority on a court that regularly issues landmark decisions on issues like gay rights, immigration law, healthcare reform, campaign finance reform and civil liberties.
Even if Mr Obama gets a nominee confirmed, the power his successor will hold is now crystal clear. Three of the eight remaining justices are over the age of 70.
Justice Scalia was one of the most prominent proponents of "originalism" - a conservative legal philosophy that believes the US Constitution has a fixed meaning and does not change with the times.Justice Scalia was one of the most prominent proponents of "originalism" - a conservative legal philosophy that believes the US Constitution has a fixed meaning and does not change with the times.
In 2008, Justice Scalia delivered the opinion on Heller v District of Columbia, a landmark case that affirmed an individual's right to possess a handgun. In 2008, Justice Scalia delivered the opinion in District of Columbia v Heller, a landmark case that affirmed an individual's right to possess a handgun.
Throughout his career, the outspoken justice has been a vocal opponent of abortion and gay rights, often writing scathing dissenting opinions.Throughout his career, the outspoken justice has been a vocal opponent of abortion and gay rights, often writing scathing dissenting opinions.
He was known for his sense of humour and colourful language, calling effort to defend President Obama's healthcare reform law "jiggery-pokery" and "pure applesauce". He was known for his sense of humour and colourful language, calling efforts to defend President Obama's healthcare reform law "jiggery-pokery" and "pure applesauce".
The appointment of Justice Scalia's successor is certain to become a major issue in the presidential race.The appointment of Justice Scalia's successor is certain to become a major issue in the presidential race.
Republicans in the US Senate are likely to try to block efforts by Mr Obama to appoint a new justice, arguing the next president should make the appointment.Republicans in the US Senate are likely to try to block efforts by Mr Obama to appoint a new justice, arguing the next president should make the appointment.
US Supreme Court justices are appointed to life terms by the president with the approval of the US Senate.
The length of their terms along with their influence on US politics makes their selection and confirmation hotly debated.
Appointed by Democratic presidents, associate justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer, and Elena Kagan make up the court's liberal wing.
Appointed by Republican presidents, Chief Justice John Roberts along with justices Clarence Thomas, Anthony Kennedy and Samuel Alito are the court's conservative bloc.