What else is new? The Sudanese parliament voted to extend the "state of emergency" declared last December 12th. This could mean the power struggle between President Omar al-Beshir and the former speaker of the parliament (and radical Islamist) Hassan al-Turabi, really isn't over. Or, it could mean that al-Beshir, who appears to have marginalized al-Turabi, realizes the "state of emergency" increases his power. In the "state of emergency" the Sudanese government has greater police powers and extensive authority to disallow or break-up political meetings and demonstrations. Originally, al-Beshir dissolved parliament when members loyal to al-Turabi introduced legislation to limit presidential powers.