Morning news brief: First Russian soldier appears in Ukraine court for war crimes trial, and more

A Ukrainian court held a preliminary hearing in the first war crimes trial arising from Russia's invasion, after charging a captured Russian soldier with the murder of a 62-year-old civilian. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed opposition to Finland and Sweden joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Click on headlines to read more:

First Russian soldier appears in Ukraine court for war crimes trial

Vadim Shishimarin (21), the Russian soldier, appeared in court for a preliminary hearing. He is accused of killing an unarmed 62-year-old civilian.

Erdogan says Turkey does not have 'positive opinion' on Sweden, Finland joining NATO

He accused both countries of harbouring "terrorist organisations" and said Turkey does not have a ''positive opinion'' about them.

Kim Jong Un says COVID-19 outbreak has put North Korea in 'great turmoil'

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said on Saturday (May 14) that the COVID-19 outbreak in the country has it in "great turmoil".

Watch | Gravitas: China blows up replica of Taiwan's naval base