Abbas: Dead or alive?

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas failed to show up for a press conference in Ramallah on Wednesday morning, where he was expected to make a public appearance in order to dispel rumors that he is dead or very ill.

Although the reports cannot be independently confirmed, the Palestinian street is buzzing with rumors that the wildly unpopular octogenarian, whom the vast majority of his constituents believe should resign, is in poor health.

Last week, Arabic-language media reported that Abbas had assigned emergency powers to a trusted adviser, Hussein al-Sheikh, N12 reported. The move...