Powerful typhoon hits Japan
TOKYO, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- At least person was killed and scores of others were injured as Typhoon Jelawat slammed into the Japanese archipelago, officials said.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency said the powerful typhoon hammered Okinawa, killing a 29-year-old fisherman who was washed away by high seas. The storm left more than 100 people dozens injured, including an Australian tourist struck by a tree, Kyodo News reported.
The storm, which was moving northeast along the western coast of Japan, made landfall Sunday night on Japan's main island of Honshu. The city of Hachioji, near Tokyo, recorded winds of 85 mph.
Kyodo said concerns of flooding prompted the central Japan city of Nagoya to issue an evacuation advisory for 57,000 people. Evacuations were also advised in Miyagi prefecture in northeastern Japan.
The storm knocked out power to 96,000 households in Okinawa, officials said.
Obama in Vegas for debate prep
LAS VEGAS, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- President Obama arrived in Las Vegas Sunday for a campaign rally and his final preparations for his first debate with Republican rival Mitt Romney.
The Democratic president was welcomed at the airport by a small line of greeters, including Mayor Carolyn Goodman, and was soon ensconced at a Middle Eastern-themed hotel at Lake Las Vegas, a resort/golf community.
Campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters it is Obama's eighth trip to Nevada this year and 16th since 2009. The state's early-voting period starts Oct. 20. Those early voters are "a key priority for us," Psaki said.
"We are focused on it," she said, adding Obama "will make the case for why he is a better choice for the American people."
She declined to reveal the president's strategy for Wednesday's debate in Denver to avoid giving the Romney campaign any edge.
"But I will say the president and Mitt Romney clearly look at the debates as a very different opportunity," Psaki said. "The president sees this as an opportunity to continue his conversation with the American people as he has been doing over the last several months, including at the convention, which was probably our largest audience to date.
"This will be a very large audience. He wants to speak directly to the families of people who are on their couches at home, having snacks, drinking a beer, drinking soda whatever it is, and tuning in for the first time. That's who he is speaking directly to."
Romney sees new way for Mideast
NEW YORK, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said in an opinion piece Sunday the United States has to restore its influence in the Middle East.
In a op-ed article in The Wall Street Journal, Romney called for the United States to chart a new course in the region using its economic and military strength directed by American values.
Citing "disturbing developments," such as the civil war in Syria, the Muslim Brotherhood's rise to power in Egypt, the slaying of the U.S. ambassador in Libya, violent protests in several countries and Iran's push for nuclear-weapons capability that threatens Israel, Romney blamed President Obama for the "atrophy" of U.S. leadership.
Romney said the United States "seems to be at the mercy of events rather than shaping them."
"We're not moving them in a direction that protects our people or our allies. And that's dangerous," he wrote. "If the Middle East descends into chaos, if Iran moves toward nuclear breakout, or if Israel's security is compromised, America could be pulled into the maelstrom.
"We still have time to address these threats, but it will require a new strategy toward the Middle East."
He said Obama has failed to maintain the elements of U.S. influence -- promoting human rights, free markets and the rule of law while maintaining its military power and allying itself with like-minded countries -- and that has "heightened the prospect of conflict and instability."
Deep earthquake in Colombia measures 7.1
POPAYAN, Colombia, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck deep underground in southwestern Colombia Sunday, seismologists said.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered 39 miles southeast of Popayan, but occurred at a depth of 150 kilometers (93 miles).
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. It was not known if the depth of the epicenter prevented major shaking on the surface.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the quake was not likely to produce a tidal wave.
