[The United States will extend visa sanctions on Palestinian officials] On September 17, the U.S. State Department stated that the United States will extend visa sanctions on members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and officials of the Palestinian Authority. According to other reports from Israel, the United States has refused to issue an entry visa to Palestinian Authority President Abbas for the second consecutive year, forcing him to speak to the United Nations online again. The State Department's notice denying his visa application mentioned his suspected ties to terrorist organizations but did not provide further details. In addition, dozens of other Palestinian Authority officials who wanted to travel with him received similar rejection notices. (CCTV News)