WORLD IN BRIEF : UKRAINE : Crimea Official OKs Continued Kiev Ties

The heads of the Ukrainian and Crimean parliaments agreed that Crimea will remain part of Ukraine but enjoy special economic status. The Russian Itar-Tass news agency said the agreement was reached at a meeting in the Black Sea port of Yalta. Crimea was handed over to Ukraine in 1954, but the Russian Parliament has declared the decision illegal, and Ukrainian nationalists fear Russia aims to seize the territory. Last month, the Crimean Parliament backed down from confrontation with Kiev by revoking a declaration of independence.