Im looking forward to kind of having this so does very well the growth of responsibility for the International Space station. And with the top when you fly a second time to space the training actually gets much easier because of the experience of my first five i can just cut out there on a foreign things and concentrate on the things that are really important we have in the order of two to three hundred in every expedition so im really looking forward to conduct a nice its very important to see the science that we do on the space station not just as a one off experiment that we do in one mission like my expedition but its a series of experiments that develop over time. Also coming up with the right to give the heart a home the European Court of justice rules that same sex married couples have the same rights to settle down in europe where ever they choose. You know ive been imagining this moment in every way possible but when it happens the reality is completely different as the co tells us that we were right all along. We begin the day on the launch pads today a trio of stellar travelers one cosmonaut and two astronauts boarded a soyuz rocket in kazakhstan with a six month roundtrip ticket to the International Space station then came the countdown. Three to. Feeding. Hugo the crew blasted off from the viking or cosmodrome copilot in by german astronaut alexander guess this is his Second Mission to the i assess it will be his first time in charge when he takes over as commander later this year. Alexander guest along with the americans arena chancellor and the russian sergei pro hope you have will spend the next half year together aboard the International Space station a long time to be away from family and friends with corresponding filmed these pictures of garish saying goodbye on his way to the launch pad crews are far and seen before take off to safeguard against illness and he had one last message through the lens for his mother before driving all. The good stuff. Alexander gas will become the Second European the first german to command the s. S. When he takes charge this year he has promised to be the nice fall and he says in addition to all the research and experiments its important that he makes sure that his crew members have fun and that they enjoy the ride is hugely popular here on earth especially in germany he has sparked the imagination of young people by sharing his experiments in real time via social media heres more on the space star. Castro alex. The t. V. Superstar. At least in germany he has many fans here including at the chancellery in berlin. The two libyan your limits here myself included will be following the news about astro alex very closely for. Everyone loves scarcest no wonder hes the first german astronaut to charm the public with his personality and with what he does his secret. Hey guys alexander guest here from baikonur hes super cool but hes still got his feet on the ground and he shares everything including on twitter or astro alex has more than a million followers. Theyre all thrilled about his stay on the International Space station the horizon. His care second tour on the i assess this time around hes the Mission Commander the first german to fill the role. Very humbled by the trust of people having need to actually come to this. Fantastic space station but of course its comes with a big responsibility also already in training. He and his crew have been preparing for two years for the mission. Underwent countless tests. With his fans always by his side. And he had to test a lot of food including new selections for the astronauts menu. This menu to trigger my memory. And now i can make choices based on. The new few new ones in between them i have to get. One of the new dishes besler Little Cheese you. Even a specialty of gas home region. But its not all fun and games youll have to work hard aboard the us there almost seventy scientific experiments for gaston the crew to perform in space more than half of them were designed in germany has was the missions new sidekick simon high tech sphere with artificial intelligence. Just like on his last tour of board the u. S. S. He has a special school class project a time capsule with the future ambitions of some eight thousand german children will head into space it will be opened up in fifty years. As fans wont have to wait that long for news from their hair. Care says already planning his First Press Conference for the twelfth of june. Direct from space. And joining me is mark he is the Senior Advisor for science and exploration hes down here on terra firma with us tonight we appreciate you taking the time to be on the show mark we know the flight to. Takes two days we know that takeoff is probably one of if not the danger most dangerous point of the entire mission is there between now and the i guess the docking in two days are they still in the high risk for you know everything we do in space flight is kind of risky weve been doing this for a long time but Everybody Knows theres a chance that things could go wrong as you said its the first moment when youre like the sort of semi controlled exploding. Where the tensions highest its fairly slow takeoff with soyuz you know the acceleration builds up so actually the takeoff itself the first few seconds are relatively light but as you get up and the acceleration kicks in you feel the g. Forces build you know a lot of physical stuff there. Making their way there in zero gravity. There is always a risk but they have pasta main part by now by a long way and theyre going to be there for about six months. And kind of give us an idea of what the day to day experience is like on the i mean we know there are we dont expect to see them wearing an astronauts elf it right right well you know depends on what happens later on in the mission im not sure if there are any space will schedule for that they will have to get into the full gear thats right its a long time its not quite the same as you know Sandra Bullock jumping over what in ten seconds in are underway but its its a day to day life. You have to remember the International Space station is fundamentally a big world class Science Laboratory is usually of experiments going on on board which are some of the equipment of beings is being sent out from the ground on previous flights some on this flight crimmins on board and a lot of that program been so its a day to day routine you know theyre working in the separate modules they meet up for lunch and dinner communicate with their family on the ground its a lot different perhaps there wont people expect where theres a constant tension about whats going on of course zero g. Its an interesting environment to work in and i thought it was interesting alexander said that he hes going to be the commander and he said he wanted to be the nice ball. I guess it is important when youre there and youre in this very very confined space for six months it is important to be nice you know everything that we do is about teamwork whether that starts on the ground with the building of the missions we put into orbit whether its revolting missions or Human Missions like this where twenty Member States and European Space agency have to overcome all of the language barriers and Everything Else but when youre on the space station you have a huge backup on the ground as well there are Mission Control is working with you all the time but of course on board thats where if you like the tensions rise and all of our astronauts you know theyre very nice people and they have to be to get on you dont. These sort of alpha males out there between each other no i mean and it is Truly International we look at the crew and the research theyre doing took me a little bit about that then if its us do we see tangible benefits here on earth or are we talking about things that those astronauts who will one day go to mars will will benefit from this a mix so there are experiments that alex will be doing which are directly related to bone loss for example osteoporosis is a huge problem as our population ages we have more and more people are above a certain age we can learn a lot of lessons about particular aspects in young people that are on the space station or osteoporosis kicks in very separate that out from many of the things that older people might have is in this is on the ground we can also do experiments theyre looking at mentality we can actually find new ways of cost in metals in space take the gravity out and we can look at all the other physical process and then transform that back to the ground again but youre right that what were really focusing on now having had the ice in operation for so many years is the next step can we now go all through back to the moon and then beyond some models there are lots of lessons to be learned on the ice as about Long Duration space flight how do people actually how do their bodies adapt over a long time when they get to the surface of mars for example off to six to nine months are they going to be ready are they actually capable physically carrying out their mission does a good question the eye itself is what about twenty years old get it right so i mean in terms of the i guess space age i mean its its getting up there in age right how does it have a much longer life in terms of being financed and also do we know the things we need to know to go to mars now or do we still need to do more Research Well the ice is its got technical limitations ultimately theres a point at which you know the modules just wont be qualified to keep flying they are getting damaged slowly from the outside by by the environment of space financing is. Kind of safe until in mid twentys but we have to now plan for the next things that go beyond so there is a lot to be before we actually go to mars were going to go off with the americans the japanese and the canadians were going to now build a small space station called the lunar orbital platform gateway big big acronym itll come up with another name but its going to be in orbit around the moon and by being a few days away from the earth can just come straight back to the ground again above the radiation shielding belts around the earth going to be different environment for humans and we can learn for the next steps going on tomorrow theres a huge amount still to be learned from the ais yeah alexander yes hes very good at inspiring people i mean if you just look at his twitter feed today before he took off just the way he describes what hes feeling and what hes looking forward to it makes you want to be there so youve got that you know in your favor right now when you look at the future do you see a mission to mars happening within the next ten to twenty years or is it something i mean we were talking about a mission to mars in the one nine hundred seventy s. And then he nobodys well i think the first thing to remember is that when we talk about going to mars its for exploration and its for science but its also for inspiration as you said you know alex and the other astronauts the young astronauts in an hour. Say they are all very connected and they all say the same thing is that is the classic thing about looking down at the earth and seeing no borders and seeing the fragility of the as we head off the miles on the moon we shouldnt think about those as sort of plan b. As places where the human race is necessarily going to go off and colonize and crazy rejoined but the inspiration is critical to bringing kids and people into you know how can we solve the major problems we have on the earth like Climate Change when dealing resources and that through International Collaboration rational thinking abang the laws of physics you know they do count so theres a lot to be done in space for exploration but connecting it back down to the ground again is something were all very passionate about well its been really good talking with you mark with the Senior Adviser for science and exploration we appreciate your time and i thank you thank you very much. Politics on the pitt argentina have canceled saturdays soccer world cup in israel following palestinian protests over the games location the decision has upset political leaders in israel with some saying his teammates and coaches are succumbing to terror threats. Argentina coach some poly was unhappy about playing a friendly in israel because of logistical reasons so close to the world cup now the game is cancelled but for very Different Reasons the match was originally switched from haifa to jerusalem angering palestinians the city has become the focus of controversy at the u. S. President donald trump recognized israels capital palestinians with further incensed because the jerusalem stadium is in the neighborhood of a former palestinian village having burned the argentinian flag protesters frightened to burn replica jerseys of argentina starlin oh messi. He will not under any circumstances agree to this match going ahead weve started a campaign against the Argentinian Football Association in which we will target a messy. A tweet from the embassy in israel confirmed the cancellation of the game and said the threats against messi prompted the solidarity of his teammates and fias of the playing the friendly israel Prime MinisterBinyamin Netanyahu had hoped the game against one of the world cup favorites would be good publicity for israel he did not qualify for the finals in russia but moving the match to drew slim has backfired defense minister Avigdor Lieberman said tina had given in to israeli hating agitates is a blow to israel politically but also a blow to argentina with the game due to have been the last warm up before the world cup kicks off next thursday. Just over a week the most watched sporting event on the planet kicks off as you heard the soccer world cup host this year is russia a country with a history of racism in sports football or fry and it is heading to the world cup with the Nigerian National team as a player in the Russian Football League it is familiar with the racism that some black players have had to endure. As a player for senate St Petersburg remembers being abused by a fan. There was this fan who told me theres no black in zen its polos that was it you know i was with friends from the team we were all wearing this and its kids and the fans said whats going on why you were in that kids thank you my friend got angrier than i did you know i just responded with a smile. You know when you have a cup of coffee. But not everyone can just laugh it off homophobia and racism are part of every day life for some athletes in russia monkey chants against black footballers have been routinely heard over the years in russian stadiums. Racism does exist in russian football theres nothing to argue over in the sense according to a survey by sports stars are you in two thousand and fourteen seventy five percent of people responded yes to the question of whether racism exists in russian football aleksei struck in the head of the local organizing committee for the world cup has emphasized that the odd racist incident doesnt reflect the general mood in russian society. Authorities recently sanctioned the Russian Football Federation for fan racism at a russia game as well as several russian clubs for racist incidents. The football family hopes the world cup can pass off without racism dominating the headlines. Well for many of us that one special day is the day when two people commit their lives to each other and get married for many same sex couples not everyone sees their union as Something Worthy of celebration or even acknowledgement just ask claiborne hamilton and Adrian Coleman and the two men tied the knot in belgium and they wanted to move to adrians home country remain but rumania does not recognize same sex marriage which also means that authorities there refused to grant residency to gay partners who are not citizens wagering and spouse kleber is a u. S. Citizen so the couple took their case to the European Court of justice in one take a listen to. Them and now i remember the moment when we went to the remaining consulate in brussels in two thousand and twelve. When they refused to recognize a belgium r. H. That if it you know they. Todays decision means that finally i can look in the eyes of any remaining on a you clock with the sets and say that we are a family and the state recognizes what we have been teach other for the last sixteen years he. Or one of the two victorious men in that court case is joining us tonight im joined by injury uncommon in bucharest congratulations i would say or in order to you and your husband claiborne its good to have you on the show tonight adrian youve had a little bit of time to have this court ruling see good how are you feeling now. I. Am very happy actually im very content and upbeat really. Well but its a good place to be your husband claiborne now we understand he is at work right now in new york but we have a message from him so lets take a listen to that and that no its been sixteen years that the end i have been together and it just so happens that our sixteen Year Anniversary is this friday so baby i want to say happy anniversary happy anniversary and i want to thank you some us for be by my side and for going through this journey with me and supporting us on this journey together so this week ill be traveling to bucharest to join you and all of our friends and family for bucharest and i am so excited to be there so thank you thank you everyone i look forward to seeing you. Thats a lovely declaration of love right there adrian what does this court ruling this decision mean what does it mean to you. Well you know as i said in the press conference we feel that the relationship has to you know to remain in government and across the e. U. And it is in the end a matter of dignity. And do you think that shimon dignity is it recognized by the powers that be in in bucharest or in your home country i mean do you feel that this court case is going to make a difference in the feeling on the street. Well it obviously made a difference in the community here which for very long time has not seen any positive response from from the authorities you know and theres questions of Civil Partnership law that had been stuck in the parliament for a decade now and at the same time weve seen measure that the thirtys have taken against us for instance the. Amendment of the civil code to rule out same sex marriage and the recognition of the same sex marriages performed abroad that was the reason that the government gave when they refused to consider a residence for play in romania and you know kids. We you know it is june which is the typical pride month in many western European Countries what is pride like in bucharest. Its a saturday and as you saw clear will be coming here and will be together it is a political protest it is small number compared to other countries i think it ranges between one and two thousand people. It includes. You know many straight allies representatives of embassies what it lacks is romanian politicians. Would you think its fair to say dream vents. Are the politicians in romania when it comes to same sex marriage or do l g b t rights that their attitude remains hostile. Yes. There are hostile statements. There are hostiles legal measures as the one i mentioned before the amendment of the civil code and i think this happens because of public more out of date they perceive you know this is not the country where anybody who went to the city hall to ask to be married you know to this day. So to amend the civil code to rule out same sex marriage when nobody actually asked for it in the whole shows a negative political intention against a group so that is discrimination brought up in politics. Adrian coleman joining us tonight from bucharest a dream we certainly wish you and your spells clayborne all the best and we appreciate you sharing your story with us tonight thank you thank you to. Well the day is nearly done but as ever the conversation continues online youll find us on twitter either at g. W. News or you can write directly to me brant golf t. V. Dont forget to use the hash tag the day and finally we want to get back to that that top story tonight alexander gear vienneau walk over here give you a better view he is on his way to the International Space station where hell be carrying out experiments to test how best we humans can survive interplanetary travel were going to leave you with some stellar images tonight and remember no matter what happens between now and then on earth or in space tomorrow is another day well see that everybody. Please close your eyes and concentrate with everything the right thing to you. Love. And listen to. Him that. You are a great friend of the currents at the cabin. Kudos. To move. To. Cut. Cut. Cut. Cut cut. Cut cut. Cut. Cut. Cut. Cut. Cut. Sixty five years of the doubling of the celebration of the regulations from the guest of honor chancellor im going to match the foreign fund afsana nazi ga delight enough votes to shake this indiegogo does not get him on the gods im going to go in and helps me shoot look when starting. From the cold to the presence of the sixty five years. Has witnessed developments in germany and fifteen minute long. Enjoyed the conflicts over the far distance week you can tell me the former israeli Prime Minister includes how much fuel does an invasion of gaza in two thousand and eight what do you suppose you know about the recent violence along the border of those costs money israeli Prime Minister given to jail for corruption how is it for he has no regrets conflicts. We make up. D. W. Made for mines. Time for an upgrade. Grows on buying. A house with. Poor design highlights you can make yourself. Tips and tricks that will turn your home into something special. A great yourself with d. W. s interior design channel on you tube. This is d w news why but from berlin tonight the new crew on their way to the International Space station earlier today a soyuz rocket lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in kazakhstan copilot in bonn germany alexander guess the crew of three will carry out dozens of experiments some information for future missions to mars also coming up people fleeing as guatemalas volcano will fly upside yet again seventy five people are confirmed dead the surge is on for more survivors in a low