Teargas launches campaign

There are reports coming out of Venezuela that teargas has been fired against opposition politicians on the first day of campaigning for parliamentary elections.



The vote for Venezuela's new parliament takes place in September.



According to the BBC, opposition members had gathered outside parliament to canvas voters, but soldiers guarding the building say they were being disorderly.



Meanwhile Cuban state TV has reported that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez met for five hours with Fidel Castro on Wednesday and expressed satisfaction at the former Cuban leader's health.