The gunman who killed 12 people before being shot dead by police at the Washington Navy Yard had a history of violent outbursts, was at least twice accused of firing guns in anger, and was in the early stages of treatment for serious mental problems.

The US will be seeing in the New Year amid the tightest-yet security, with the nation’s terrorism alert on its second-highest level.

Sharpshooters, bomb disposal squads, air defences and 65,000 police will protect India’s capital today, as fears of terrorist attacks shadow the annual Republic Day parade.