State of Emergency comes into effect in Ukraine

A nationwide state of emergency began in Ukraine Thursday. Lawmakers approved President VolodymyrZelenskyy’s decree that imposes the measure for 30 days starting Thursday. 

The state of emergency allows authorities to impose curfews and restrictions on movement, block rallies and ban political parties and organizations “in the interests of national security and public order.”The declaration follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s move Monday to recognize the independence of two rebel regions in eastern Ukraine.