President Bush takes the oath of office for a second term this hour, amid the tightest security for any inauguration in US history. Hundreds of thousands of people are braving cold temperatures to watch the outdoor ceremony take place on the steps of the U.S. Capitol building. Authorities seeking to discourage terrorist attacks have shut down scores of Washington streets and have posted thousands of law enforcement officers around the city to keep a close eye on the crowds. Mr. Bush is due to be sworn in just before noon local time, before spelling out the major themes of his second term in his inaugural address.
