What a Weird Week gets you caught up on the odd and weird stories in the news this week.

See https://www.shownotes.page or search "What a Weird Week" where you get  podcasts. here are ten weird things from this week's news...

Turkish Woman Sets World Record for Watermelon Crushing

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/01/17/turkish-woman-crushes-watermelons-using-thighs/6221737129404

Swedish Duo Sets New Record for Longest Table Tennis Rally

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/01/16/guinness-table-tennis/9561737044067/

Contagious Urination in Chimpanzees

https://www.popsci.com/environment/chimpanzees-peeing-contagious/

The superpower you didn't know you had! National Archives Seeks Citizen Archivists to Transcribe Historical DocumentsThe superpower you didnt know you had! National Archives Seeks Citizen Archivists to Transcribe Historical Documents.

https://www.popsci.com/technology/cursive-national-archives/

Staten Island Beautification Squad

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/staten-island-speed-cameras-flowers/

Rats Infest Houston Police Evidence Room, Consuming Large Quantities of Marijuana

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/16/houston-rats-drugs-police-evidence-room

Dream Ads: The Commercialization of Dreams and its Ethical Implications

https://studyfinds.org/your-dreams-are-for-sale-and-companies-are-already-buying/

Sparkling Water and Weight Loss: A Modest Effect

https://www.sciencealert.com/a-modest-weight-loss-boost-might-be-hiding-in-your-glass-of-water

Unsweetened Coffee Linked to Lower Dementia Risk: A UK Study

https://www.sciencealert.com/study-finds-coffee-linked-to-lower-risk-of-dementia-but-theres-a-catch

Scientists have discovered a new species of giant isopod, Bathynomus vaderi, off the coast of Vietnam, named for its resemblance to Darth Vader's helmet, measuring 12.8 inches long and weighing 2.2 pounds.

https://nypost.com/2025/01/15/science/massive-new-bug-species-is-so-horrifying-its-been-named-after-darth-vader/

Taiwanese Surgeon Performs Self-Vasectomy

https://nypost.com/2025/01/21/lifestyle/surgeon-father-of-three-performs-vasectomy-on-himself-for-his-wife/