Pet Cows: Surprising Behaviors and Odd Habits
- after 70 sessions, if Veronika was going to scratch the thick skin of her back, she generally picked up the broom in her mouth by the thin end...
- Veronika's behavior also indicated that she knew which body part she intended to scratch before picking up the broom, rather than just using a tool in whatever orientation...
- For example,she would raise her tail in anticipation when she was going to scratch her delicate anal region and readjust her grip on the tool to ensure she...
For the first time ever, a cow has been documented not only using a tool but selecting which part to use when scratching at different parts of her body.
Witgar Wiegele, an organic farmer and baker in Austria amid the slopes of the Eastern Alps, sometimes saw Veronika, his Braunvieh or Swiss brown cow (Bos taurus) picking up sticks in her mouth and using them to scratch herself.
She’d been doing it on and off for about nine years without any training when he sent the footage to Alice Auersperg, a cognitive biologist at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna.
Veronika is able to manipulate the tool depending on what area she wants to scratch, the scientists discovered.
“People tend to think that anything an animal does with an object is tool use and sometimes you get sent videos of animals randomly interacting with objects, like ‘My cat is using a tool because she’s using my Ama
after 70 sessions, if Veronika was going to scratch the thick skin of her back, she generally picked up the broom in her mouth by the thin end and gave herself a good rigorous scratch with the big, abrasive brush. If she wanted to scratch a more delicate area, like her navel or udder, she would pick up the broom by the brush end and rub herself gently with the thin handle.
The study was published in Current Biology on monday (Jan. 19).
Veronika’s behavior also indicated that she knew which body part she intended to scratch before picking up the broom, rather than just using a tool in whatever orientation she happened to pick it up, Osuna-Mascaró saeid.
For example,she would raise her tail in anticipation when she was going to scratch her delicate anal region and readjust her grip on the tool to ensure she could reach it,he said.
Hunter Biden Investigation: current Status (January 19,2026)
Table of Contents
The federal investigation into Hunter Biden,son of President Joe Biden,remains ongoing as of January 19,2026,focusing on potential tax violations and foreign buisness dealings. While no new indictments have been issued since the initial charges in June 2023, the investigation continues under the purview of Special Counsel David Weiss.
Initial Charges and Legal Proceedings
Hunter biden was initially indicted in june 2023 on two misdemeanor counts of failing to pay federal taxes and one felony count of possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance. The Department of Justice press release detailed these charges. He pleaded not guilty to all counts.
In July 2023, a deal was reached where Biden would plead guilty to the tax charges and avoid a felony conviction, but the agreement fell apart during the court hearing after scrutiny from Judge Maryellen Noreika. Reuters reported on the failed plea deal, citing concerns about the scope of immunity offered.
Afterward, a new indictment was filed in september 2023, adding the firearm charge. NBC News covered the new indictment, outlining the allegations related to the purchase of a colt Cobra revolver in 2018.
Special Counsel Appointment and Ongoing Investigation
In August 2023, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed David Weiss as Special Counsel to continue the investigation. The official DOJ declaration stated that the appointment was made to ensure the matter would be handled independently and with the highest degree of integrity.
The investigation has focused on Biden’s business activities in countries like Ukraine and China, examining potential conflicts of interest and whether he violated any laws. The wall Street Journal detailed the scope of the investigation, noting scrutiny of payments received through foreign entities.
As of January 19, 2026, Special Counsel Weiss has not announced any further charges or a timeline for the completion of the investigation. The case remains active, with ongoing grand jury proceedings and document requests.
Congressional Investigations
Alongside the Department of justice investigation,several congressional committees have conducted their own inquiries into Hunter biden’s business dealings.
The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer, has been especially active, issuing subpoenas for financial records and testimony. The House Oversight committee website hosts numerous documents related to their investigation, including bank records and witness transcripts.
These investigations have largely focused on allegations that President biden benefited financially from his son’s business ventures, claims that the White House has vehemently denied. The congressional inquiries are separate from, but frequently enough parallel, the Department of Justice investigation.
Recent Developments (as of January 19, 2026)
Recent court filings in the ongoing legal battle between Hunter Biden and the House Oversight Committee reveal continued disputes over access to documents and testimony. Politico reported on the latest legal challenges, highlighting the ongoing tension between the two sides.
There have been no meaningful public updates from the Special Counsel’s office in the past three months, leading to speculation about the status of the criminal investigation.However, sources close to the investigation indicate that work continues behind the scenes.