Moscow - Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev is planning the launch of new Russian political party with the support of billionaire and former KGB officer Aleksander Lebedev, Vedomosti newspaper reported Tuesday.

The new political grouping named the Independent Democratic Party (IDP) will aim at putting candidates into parliament in Russia's 2011 elections.

The IDP's main platform will be the development of independent state and social institutions and particularly a national television broadcaster that would not take orders from the government, Vedemosti reported.

Moscow/Kiev/Nairobi - Three Somali pirates were shot dead in an apparent argument with their mates aboard a hijacked Ukrainian cargo ship carrying tanks, the Itar-Tass news agency reported on Tuesday.

None of the 20 crew being held hostage on the freighter Faina were injured in the exchange of fire stemming from a alleged dispute between the pirates, according to a Moskovskiy Bulletin news report.

The cargo ship remained anchored near the island of Hobyo off the Somali coast. There was no damage reported to the vessel's cargo, including depleted uranium anti-tank shells, armoured personnel carriers, and 33 T-72 tanks.

Moscow  - President Dmitry Medvedev has announced a comprehensive modernization of Russia's armed forces and its nuclear weapons, Russian media reported Saturday.

By 2020, there would be complete overhaul of the nuclear deterrent, Medvedev said at the conclusion of military exercises in the Urals.

The plans include a new generation of nuclear submarines and cruise missiles, as well as better coordination of the country's missile defence system with reconnaissance satellites in space.

Moscow - President Dmitry Medvedev has announced a comprehensive modernization of Russia's armed forces and its nuclear weapons, Russian media reported Saturday.

By 2020, there would be complete overhaul of the nuclear deterrent, Medvedev said at the conclusion of military exercises in the Urals.

The plans include a new generation of nuclear submarines and cruise missiles, as well as better coordination of the country's missile defence system with reconnaissance satellites in space.

Recent events in Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia had brought the security situation to a head, he said.

Moscow - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez met with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on a two-day Russian tour Friday as the countries expand military ties and close ranks in opposition to the United States.

Going into talks with Medvedev, Chavez reiterated his "full and firm" support for Russia in its war with Georgia last month, which the US roundly condemned.

Medvedev and Chavez were meeting in the southern Russian city of Orenburg, near the border with Kazakhstan, where the Russian president is touring the regions.

Moscow- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is due to land in Russia on Thursday for a two-day visit as the two countries extend military ties and close rank in opposition to the United States.

Chavez travels to Moscow from China, and will meet with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at his country residence at 8 pm (1700 GMT), Putin's press office said.

On Friday the Venezuelan leader is set to fly to the southern Russian city of Orenburg, near the border with Kazakhstan, for talks with President Dmitry Medvedev, who is on a tour of the regions.