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There is «credible evidence» that Australian elite soldiers unlawfully killed 39 people during the Afghan war, a long-awaited report has found.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has released findings from a four-year inquiry into misconduct by its forces. It said 19 current or ex-special forces soldiers should be investigated by police over killings of «prisoners, farmers or civilians» in 2009-13.

The ADF blamed crimes on an unchecked «warrior culture» among some soldiers. The inquiry — conducted by Maj Gen Justice Paul Brereton — conducted interviews with more than 400 witnesses. It also found evidence that:

Junior soldiers were told to get their first kill by shooting prisoners, in a practice known as «blooding», weapons and other items were planted near Afghan bodies to cover up crimes and an additional two incidents could constitute a war crime of «cruel treatment».

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A «once-in-a-generation modernisation» of the armed forces is required to extend British influence and protect the public, Boris Johnson has said.

The prime minister told MPs a new four-year funding deal would protect «hundreds of thousands» of jobs and create 40,000 new roles. «I have decided that the era of cutting our defence budget must end, and it ends now,» he said.

Labour welcomed more defence spending but asked how it would be funded.

Outlining the new package in the Commons, the PM — speaking over video link as he is self-isolating — said the benefits «will go far beyond our armed forces».

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A man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of 21 people in the 1974 pub bombings in Birmingham.

The blasts at the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs on the night of 21 November also injured 220 people.

Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, working with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, arrested the 65-year-old at his home in Belfast. He was detained under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Police said the man’s home was being searched and he will be interviewed under caution at a police station in Northern Ireland.

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President Donald Trump asked senior advisers last Thursday about potential options for attacking Iran’s main nuclear site, US media report.

The advisers warned him that military action could spark a broader conflict, officials were cited as saying.

The White House has not commented on the accounts of the meeting.

It took place a day after the global nuclear watchdog said Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile was 12 times what was permitted under a 2015 nuclear deal.

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Four people have gone on trial in France over an August 2015 plot to attack Americans on a high-speed train.

Ayoub El-Khazzani is accused of opening fire on board a train travelling from Amsterdam to Paris, three months before the Paris attacks.

Two people were wounded before he was overpowered by passengers. No-one died in the incident, which inspired a Clint Eastwood thriller The 15:17 to Paris.

Three others are suspected of helping Mr El-Khazzani plan the attack. Bilal Chatra, Mohamed Bakkali and Redouane Sebbar face lesser charges than the alleged gunman. These include conspiring with terrorists and complicity in attempted murder.

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