Pets often provide great comfort to aging humans. But what happens to these faithful companions when their owners suddenly pass away? Dogs, cats, and other furry animals have good chances of being rehomed; the story is different for the snakes and lizards at the reptile sanctuary in Munich. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

A candidate for the chancellorship who is somehow involved in the CumEx scandal and can't seem to remember anything... Maybe not the best choice after all?

The SPD only recently announced their candidate for Chancellor in the 2021 Federal Election: Olaf Scholz. Will he be able to catch up with the other candidates? What has his approach been so far? The heute-show can’t help but poke fun.

The battle against coronavirus continues: Adults are now being vaccinated quickly in Germany, but vaccines are still being approved for teenagers and children. What are some of the key differences between adults and young people when it comes to corona and vaccines, and how are they being addressed?

copyright: dpa

Comedian Hazel Brugger sits down for a sassy and hard-hitting interview with Barbara Hendricks, German Minister for the Environment. The main question: Do we really need to save every animal?

When are abusive insults protected under free speech, and when do they constitute criminal behavior? Using satire, this episode of the heute-show examines the obstacles that arise when it comes to preventing hate speech online.

The heute-show is Germany's answer to the The Daily Show in the US. German comedian and journalist Oliver Welke discusses the issue of hate speech and online harassment, and how it's not being handled adequately in Germany.

The German national soccer team is making a clear statement on human rights in anticipation of the 2022 World Cup. Additionally, BioNTech/Pfizer are now testing their vaccine on younger children.

In order for zoo animals to stay healthy, their skin, hooves, and horns need regular upkeep. In this video we visit Safariland Stukenbrock, where zookeepers care for elephants, rhinos, and bison – and develop special bonds with them through the grooming rituals. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

This satirical commercial for the made-up company TOYtschland takes a critical look at Germany's arms exports to nations embroiled in conflicts outside of the EU.

Bees are rapidly dying off – a major environmental problem – and there are numerous causes. The weekly political satire show extra 3, which is produced by Norddeutscher Rundfunk (Northern German Broadcasting), investigates colony collapse by sassily redubbing an old episode of Maya the Honey Bee, a 1970s Japanese TV series based on a German book.

The return of large predators, such as wolves, to certain regions in Germany means that local herders need to take extra steps to predict their flocks. Here in the Eifel mountain range in western Germany, two “livestock guardian dogs” named Günther and Biene protect the sheep and goats of herder Heike Dahm-Rulf. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

In an online dialogue, Chancellor Angela Merkel called for Germans to stick together and show solidarity in the midst of the corona crisis – which means avoiding unnecessary contact and adhering to other safety measures. The news about the development of a vaccine, however, is a reason to stay optimistic. Copyright: Deutsche Presse Agentur [The German Press Agency]

In this episode of the heute-show, a satirical late-night TV program, host Oliver Welke takes a deeper look at why Germany is suddenly dealing with a drought—and how that’s impacting everyday life for people in the country. Comedian Martin Klempnow also makes an appearance as a teacher tasked with explaining to children how to save water for the future.

Sixty or so years from now, how will today’s twentysomethings look back on the heroic sacrifices they made when they abstained from partying (and sat on their asses at home) during the coronavirus pandemic? Find out with the German government’s new gag PSA, which was released with the hashtag #specialheroes.