World Briefs

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Honduran President Manuel Zelaya is calling for a new constitution in his Central American nation, following the path of his leftist allies in the region.

Zelaya announced his government will hold a nationwide poll by June 24 on whether the country should convoke an assembly that would write a new constitution adapted to "substantial and significant changes" that Honduras has experienced since its current constitution was adopted in 1982 as the country was emerging from military rule.

CARACAS, Venezuela – The trial of a top opposition leader will be held in Caracas instead of his home city, Venezuela's Supreme Court announced — a move the official says is aimed at stacking the odds against him.

The court agreed to a prosecutor's request to move the trial from Maracaibo to the capital to ensure "the security of all the parties involved" and because it is a serious case that has caused a "public scandal."

Manuel Rosales, who was President Hugo Chavez's top opponent in the 2006 presidential election, faces a charge of illegal enrichment. He accuses prosecutors of attempting a "political lynching ordered by Chavez."

BEIJING – China is calling for a new global currency to replace the dominant dollar, showing a growing assertiveness on revamping the world economy ahead of next week's London summit on the crisis.

The surprise proposal reflects unease about China’s vast holdings of US government bonds and adds to Chinese pressure to overhaul a global financial system dominated by the dollar and Western governments.

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration plans to send more agents and equipment to the southwestern border to fight Mexican drug cartels and keep violence from spilling over into the US.

Speaking at the House Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said officials were still considering whether to deploy the National Guard to the border. She plans to meet with the governor of Texas to discuss the matter.