Five decades ago, Soviet textile worker Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space.

Listeners from across Iran have been contacting RFE/RL's Radio Farda following the June 14 election of Hassan Rohani as the country's next president.

As Iranians took to the streets to celebrate Hassan Rohani's victory, analysts said the cleric's win in the presidential vote demonstrated public will for a move toward more moderate politics in Iran.

Hassan Rohani, 64, is considered a relative moderate, and is best known abroad for his role as Iran's top nuclear negotiator from 2003 to 2005. But he has a long resume of accomplishments as an academic, military commander, longtime parliament deputy, and holder of various high-ranking government posts.

Gays and lesbians from Russia and other former Soviet republics will have their own float for the first time at New York City's famous pride parade this month. Organizers say their aim is to celebrate an openness that they never experienced back home, where gay rights continue to erode.

Iran's weak economy has dominated its presidential election campaign. But there is little reason to believe any of the candidates have a solution.

A Finnish firm says it has developed a new, lightweight technology that will allow elevators to carry passengers to a height of up to one kilometer in a single run -- twice the distance currently feasible.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius sat down with RFE/RL's Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels to discuss his expectations ahead of his country's presidency of the EU.

Iranians are voting to choose their next president. The outcome is likely to be determined by several factors, including turnout, the degree of fairness of the vote, the level of state interference, and the choices made by undecided and swing voters. RFE/RL looks at likely scenarios for how the election could play out.