Justice Sotomayor dances, sings, throws _ and now sits _ as Supreme Court begins its new term. Justice David Souter never danced the salsa in public. Justice John Paul Stevens doesn't sing in karaoke bars. And Chief Justice John Roberts hasn't thrown out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court will again consider gun rights and decide an important case that could loosen restrictions on corporation spending in political campaigns in its new term beginning on Monday.

Supreme Court begins with argument over prisoner's old request for lawyer in sex abuse case. The Supreme Court began its new term Monday with Justice Sonia Sotomayor on the bench as the court tried to hash out how long a suspect's request for a lawyer should be considered valid by police and the courts.

Supreme Court opens with case on prisoner's request for a lawyer; Sotomayor jumps right in. The Supreme Court began its new term Monday by indicating a willingness to limit how long a suspect's request for a lawyer should remain valid, and new Justice Sonia Sotomayor wasted little time in letting her voice be heard by questioning the lawyers.

On eve of debate, GOP's McCain opposes Sotomayor, who wins support of moderate Democrat Nelson. Republican Sen. John McCain, his party's failed 2008 presidential contender, announced Monday he'd join the vast majority of the GOP to vote against Judge Sonia Sotomayor, who's on track to be confirmed this week as the first Hispanic justice.

Sonia Sotomayor won historic confirmation as the first Hispanic justice on the US Supreme Court, in a big victory for President Barack Obama over stiff Republican objections.

WASHINGTON - Sonia Sotomayor, whose up-from-poverty background impressed even her opponents, won Senate confirmation yesterday to become the first Hispanic to sit on the Supreme Court, breaking an ethnic barrier despite broad opposition from Republicans who called her ill-suited for the nation's highest court. The 55-year-old federal appeals judge - of Puerto Rican descent, raised by her widowed mother in a New York City housing project, and a graduate with honors of two Ivy League universities - becomes just the third female justice in the court's 219-year history. The Senate vote was 68-31, divided largely along party lines: Sotomayor won votes from all 59 Democrats and affiliated independents who were present, but just nine Republicans voted for her. That made her the third consecutive Supreme Court nominee to be opposed by at least 20 senators - the first time that has happened in the court's history, further evidence of the deep ideological divide on Capitol Hill. Sotomayor, who w

An explosion of joy greeted the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice, Sonia Sotomayor, Wednesday, as President Barack Obama hailed her elevation as "a great day for America" at the White House.

Justice Stevens, 89, hires fewer law clerks, prompting talk he'll retire after one more term. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has hired fewer law clerks than usual, generating speculation that the leader of the court's liberals will retire next year.

Good at breaking down barriers, Sotomayor now must learn to open the door, other court rituals. Sonia Sotomayor has gained admission to the Marble Palace. Now she has to figure out how the Supreme Court works.

Sonia Sotomayor becomes 111th Supreme Court justice; court's first Hispanic, third woman. Sonia Sotomayor became the Supreme Court's newest justice Saturday, pledging during a brief ceremony at the high court to defend the Constitution and administer impartial justice.

Sonia Sotomayor made history Saturday as she took the oath of office to become the first Hispanic US Supreme Court justice, and just the third woman on the court in its 220-year history.

Sonia Sotomayor made history Saturday as she took the oath of office to become the first Hispanic US Supreme Court justice, and just the third woman on the court in its 220-year history.

Sonia Sotomayor made history Saturday as she took the oath of office to become the first Hispanic US Supreme Court justice, and just the third woman on the court in its 220-year history.

Sonia Sotomayor was sworn in Saturday as a US Supreme Court justice, becoming the first Hispanic justice on the nation's highest bench.

Confirmation won, Sotomayor set to take oath Saturday as first Hispanic Supreme Court justice. When Sonia Sotomayor is sworn in Saturday to the Supreme Court, she'll be able to claim two firsts: first Hispanic justice and first high court member to have her oath-taking made available to TV cameras.

Sonia Sotomayor won historic Senate confirmation on Thursday as the first Hispanic justice on the US Supreme Court, in a big victory for President Barack Obama over stiff Republican objections.

Sonia Sotomayor won historic Senate confirmation on Thursday as the first Hispanic justice on the US Supreme Court, in a big victory for President Barack Obama over stiff Republican objections.

Sonia Sotomayor won historic Senate confirmation Thursday as the first Hispanic justice on the US Supreme Court, in a big victory for President Barack Obama over stiff Republican objections.

Obama hails confirmation of Sotomayor as Supreme Court justice. President Barack Obama is lauding the barrier-breaking confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to be the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court.