Floods submerge parts of UK

Hello on this Monday, the 23 day of July 2007. I'm Kristin Volk with a UPI Headline Update.

Britain is experiencing some of its worst flooding in nearly sixty years. The rising waters in the southern part of the country have made thousands homeless and submerged entire towns under water. Prime Minister Gordon Brown rejected criticism that his government had failed to anticipate the latest floods which came just weeks after heavy rain in northern England. Those rains killed a number of people and flooded several towns. Insurance estimate claims for flood damage between June and July could top nearly 4 billion pounds.

Japan has now agreed to work with the U.N. atomic watchdog in inspecting its earthquake-hit nuclear power plant. The country had reportedly rejected an offer from the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect the plant. It was hit last week by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake. Energy officials say the information gathered at the plant will help secure safety at existing and future nuclear power facilities.

A new poll shows that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has more than double the support of her rival, Senator Barack Obama. Fifty-four percent say Clinton has the best chance of winning the 2008 presidential election while 22 percent believe Obama does. That's trailed by former Senator John Edwards.

South Korea is negotiating with Taliban militants for the release of 23 abducted South Koreans. Officials are hoping that negotiations would continue past tonight's deadline set by kidnappers to start killing them. The hostages were taken last week in the eastern part of Afghanistan when militants stopped the bus they were traveling in. They were reportedly there to offer medical assistance and other aid.

That's all for now. Thanks for watching and have a great day!

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