Russian PM visiting Crimea

Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is visiting Crimea - the most senior Russian official to travel there since it was annexed from Ukraine. Mr Medvedev announced that the region would become a special economic zone, with incentives for businesses. The Russian government says it is creating a new ministry to deal with Crimea and Sevastopol, according to a news agency. Moscow's annexation of Crimea earlier this month has sparked international condemnation. Ukraine's foreign ministry described the Russian prime minister's visit as a "crude violation" of the rules of the international community, according to the Reuters news agency. Mr Medvedev, leading a delegation of government ministers to the peninsula's main city Simferopol, said that no-one in Crimea should lose anything in the accession to Russia, according to the Russian government's Twitter feed. Pensions and public sector salaries would be increased, it added. The government also announced health insurance for Crimea residents and the introduction of Russian educational standards in schools.