Hispanic woman for US Supreme Court

President Barack Obama early today named appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor, 54, to become the Supreme Court's first Hispanic justice.

Sotomayor, whose parents were Puerto Rican, was born and raised in the tough South Bronx district of New York.

She is regarded as a centrist politically, and is expected to enjoy bipartisan support during the confirmation of her appointment.

- AGENCIES