[The United States will extend visa sanctions on Palestinian officials] September 17th, the US State Department stated on September 16, local time, that the United States will extend visa sanctions on members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and officials of the Palestinian Authority. Israeli media reported that the United States refused to issue an entry visa to Palestinian Authority President Abbas for the second consecutive year, forcing him to once again address the United Nations virtually. The State Department's notice denying his visa application mentioned his suspected ties to terrorist organizations but did not provide further details. Dozens of other Palestinian Authority officials who wanted to travel with him also received similar rejection notices, the report said. (CCTV International News)