New term for Supreme Court at politically fraught time for US

Megan Bixler of Tyler, Texas, holds out her hands in prayer as she and others from a Christian group, Youth With a Mission, sing at the Supreme Court in Washington, (J. Scott Applewhite/PA)

The US Supreme Court opens a new term with Republicans on the cusp of realising a dream 50 years in the making, a solid conservative majority that might roll back abortion rights, expand gun rights and shrink the power of government.

Eight justices are getting back to work on Monday at a most unusual, politically fraught moment in American history.