14 Feb 2016

US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has died

6:21 pm on 14 February 2016

The United States 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.

The court's conservative majority has recently stalled major efforts by the Obama administration on climate change and immigration.

Justice Scalia, who was 79, was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986.