Agency, Washington

The US defence secretary has warned opponents of the US against trying to “test” Barack Obama with a crisis in the early days of his presidency.
Robert Gates said the new president’s security team was ready to defend US national interests from the moment he takes office next month.
Gates, who is staying in his post, said Middle East and Gulf security would remain a key issue for the US. He was speaking at a regional security forum in the Gulf state of Bahrain.
On Iran, Gates denied that the US was seeking regime change, but wanted to see “a change in policies and a change in behaviour. [Read more]