HOW BIZARRE NEWS (3/30/09)

SYNCHRONIZED OFFICE SWIMMING

A group of Russian women have become internet stars after performing a synchronised swimming routine - at their desks. The women, who work for an architects' firm, filmed their routine for an Olympics-themed competition. They beat hundreds of other entries to scoop the grand prize - and their video has attracted more than a million hits on YouTube.

The clip was filmed secretly during lunch breaks. Worker Mosha Dugina said: "We were all really energetic and enthusiastic to do it. "It was such a breath of fresh air to do something where we got the chance to show off a little and show people that we have beautiful long legs. "Most of the time we just sit by our desks and all everyone normally sees is our top halves."

Llya Korneev from competition organisers Affect.ru said: "The competition attracted hundreds of applications, but it was apparent from early on that there was going to be one clear winner. "We thought that was the finish, but the girls' success continued when the clip went on to Europe. The clip attracted over a million views in its first few weeks." Enjoy!

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A TURKEY VULTURE CRASHED THROUGH A GUY'S WINDSHIELD AS HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY:

On Friday, 35-year-old Jorge Hurtado of Hopatcong, New Jersey was driving his minivan down the highway when a turkey vulture swooped down and crashed through his windshield. Jorge says, quote, "I saw a truck slow down and saw the bird pop out from in front of the truck. As fast as I saw it, the bird flew in our direction. There was a big bang. When I opened my eyes the bird was through the windshield."

The vulture . . . which landed in the van's middle seat . . . continued to flop around for a few minutes while Jorge pulled over and called 911. Fortunately, no one was injured. (Daily Record)

(--Check out a picture of this massive turkey vulture and the damage it inflicted on Jorge's van here . . .)