Jockstrip: The world as we know it.

Car thief struck while couple shoveled

OMAHA, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Omaha police said a couple who dug their car out of the snow saw their efforts wasted when a carjacker took advantage of the convenience.

Investigators said the couple started the 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara in their driveway Saturday and were approached by a man who claimed to be armed while they were using shovels to clear a path through the snow for the car, KETV, Omaha, reported.

Police said the man asked the couple if they wanted to get shot, then ordered them away from the car, which officers said he then drove away through the freshly shoveled driveway.

Man makes shed into maritime museum

PLYMOUTH, England, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A retired boat builder said he has created Britain's smallest museum in his garden shed with hundreds of maritime history pieces on display.

Robert Carter, 65, of Plymouth, England, said he transformed his 12-foot-by-6-foot garden shed into a maritime museum that he is convinced is the smallest to be found in Britain, the Daily Mail reported.

"It must be the smallest museum. If there was a smaller one I would know about it for sure," he said. "Anyone can come and have a look around if they are interested. I get a few hundred or so people visit every year just through word of mouth."

Carter said the pieces in his museum include a powder keg and a sailo'rs hat from the 1805 battle of Trafalgar, part of the Napoleonic Wars, and numerous other maritime artifacts.

"It is great to see people's reactions when they come in. It is like they can't believe what they're seeing. Most people who visit are genuine enthusiasts so they really appreciate the pieces I have and how rare they are," he said. "My ambition would be to get a decommissioned light ship put in the garden so I could turn it into a full sized museum."

Swedish prince-to-be dubbed 'Hottest Hick'

OCKELBO, Sweden, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A Swedish man on track to accept the titles of prince and duke following his upcoming wedding has been named rural Sweden's "Hottest Hick" by a magazine.

Land magazine, which began its annual list of the 100 most attractive rural Swedes last year, said Daniel Westling was chosen to top this year's list in part because of the attention his engagement to Crown Princess Victoria has brought to his hometown of Ockelbo, Swedish News Agency Tidningarnas Telegrambyra reported.

"Victoria said 'yes' and Daniel Westling got the crown princess and the whole Duchy of Vastergotland. But most of all he made Ockelbo known to royals around the world," the Land editors wrote. "Talk about putting Ockelbo on the world map for a long time to come and indirectly bringing in much appreciated millions from tourists to his hometown."

Westling is scheduled to marry the princess in June.

Unicyclists square off in New Zealand

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Organizers of the Unicycle World Championships, which opened Monday in New Zealand, said 640 one-wheeled wonders from around the world registered for the event.

Arthur Klap, coordinator of the competition in Wellington, said 100 New Zealand unicyclists were among the hundreds from 23 different countries parading along the city's waterfront at the opening of the 10-day event Monday, The (Wellington) Dominion Post reported.

Officials said events at the 15th biennial Unicycle World Championships, which is being held in New Zealand for the first time, include unicycle hockey, basketball, cross country and "artistic" unicycle competitions.

John Foss, a member of the U.S. Team America, said the event kicked off Monday with a powhiri, a traditional Maori welcoming ceremony that commonly includes speeches, singing and dancing.