A referendum on the status of the Ukrainian region of Crimea is to be held on 16 March, Russian news agencies have reported, where Crimeans will be asked if the republic should stay a part of Ukraine or join Russia. The region’s First Deputy-Premier Rustam Temirgaliev made the announcement this morning, according to the ITAR-TASS news agency. The parliament in Crimea voted 78 with eight abstentions in favour of holding the referendum. Local voters will also be given the choice of deciding to remain part of Ukraine, but with more local powers. Lawmakers have said there will be two questions on the ballot. Respondents ... (full story)