Biggest squid ever caught may be a minnow: scientists

WELLINGTON (AFP) - - The biggest squid ever caught, at up to 10 metres long and boasting a fearsome beak and razor-sharp hooks, may be small compared to others still lurking in the depths, scientists said Tuesday.

The colossal squid has begun a two-day thaw at The Museum of New Zealand in Wellington before it is examined in more detail Wednesday by an international team of scientists.

It weighs 495 kilograms (1,090 pounds), has eyes the size of dinner plates and is estimated at up to 10 metres (33 feet) long.

But that may be relatively small, scientists say after initial examination, suggesting other colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) under the chilly Antarctic waters might grow much larger.

On a museum blog following the progress of the thaw, Chris Paulin -- who is projects manager at the museum, known as Te Papa Tongarewa, said Tuesday that the beak of the colossal squid has been exposed as the flesh defrosts.

The size of the lower beak -- used to chop prey into bite sized pieces -- is around 43 to 45 millimetres.

Colossal squid lower beaks previously found in the stomachs of sperm whales have been as long as 49 millimetres.

Extrapolating the relationship between the length of the beak and body size from another smaller specimen being examined suggests the species could grow much bigger, Paulin said.

"Can we assume that this species reaches three quarters of a tonne in weight?" he asked.

One of the scientists leading the examination, Auckland University of Technology squid expert Steve O'Shea, said it was difficult to say how much bigger the monster squid could grow.

"What we know from that one measurement is that the beak of this animal from the stomachs of sperm whales are considerably larger," O'Shea told Radio New Zealand.

"We make the leap to say the colossal squid grows considerably larger than the 495 kilogram one we are currently defrosting."

O'Shea has previously described the colossal squid, which has razor-sharp swivelling hooks at the end of its tentacles, as "a nasty aggressive sort of squid... a gelatinous blob with seriously evil arms on it."

If the new specimen was cut into squid rings, they would be size of tractor tyres, although they would taste like ammonia.

The colossal squid was caught as it ate an Antarctic toothfish hooked on a fishing boat's long line in Antarctic waters in February last year.

After being snap frozen, it was given to the museum, which has since been deciding the best way to defrost, examine and display it.

Suggestions such as using a giant microwave to unfreeze it were discarded, and on Monday the squid was placed in a tank filled with cold salty water to ensure it defrosts slowly without decomposing.

The squid is so large that there was a risk the outside flesh would start to rot before the inside had thawed.

Defrosting is due to finish Wednesday when scientists will learn as much as they can before the squid is preserved in formalin to go on show in a massive tank at the museum later this year.

The progress of the thawing is being shown live by webcams on the museum's website www.tepapa.govt.nz.

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Milan eye football youth base in S’pore

SINGAPORE : With seven European Cups in the trophy cabinet and 18 international club titles in all, AC Milan are one of the biggest names in football.

In their 109—year history, the Italian giants have also produced some of football’s biggest superstars, including Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini.

Now, the 17—time Serie A champions are believed to be keen on establishing a foothold in Singapore.

TODAY has learnt that Milan plan to set up a football school in Singapore. According to sources, the project — to be called AC Milan Junior Camp — will be for youngsters aged between six and 18. The camp will provide the highest quality of football coaching by the club.

One of the parties involved is believed to be a local hotel group and negotiations are currently ongoing.

When ready, it would be the first football camp in South—east Asia established by the Italian giants, and one of two in Asia, after the one in Japan. The club also have an official football camp in the United States, and all are designed to enable youngsters youths to pick up football skills and foster new friendships.

According to sources, a delegation from Milan could be in Singapore as early as next week to explore possible sites for the camp and also to meet local officials. The Rossoneri could well have the Champions League trophy in tow for the three—day visit, tentatively scheduled from April 14—16.

Milan are the outgoing holders of the trophy, having beaten Liverpool 2—1 in last year’s final in Athens. Last month, they were eliminated at the first knock—out stage of this season’s competition by Arsenal and the club, currently coached by Carlo Ancelotti, are lying in fifth spot in Serie A, 20 points behind city rivals Inter Milan. — TODAY/il

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Always buying sneakers? It's the sign of a leader:

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Got a passion for buying sneakers? It could be a good sign, with a poll finding that people who buy three pairs of sneakers or more a year are far more likely to be a leadership type that other people.

Mindset Media, a media company that examines personality traits of different consumers, found that people who buy more than three pairs of sneakers a year are 61 percent more likely to have the qualities of a modern leader.

These qualities were defined as having ideas and vision, and a style with others that is both inclusive and decisive.

The survey of 7,500 people, using market research group Nielsen's online panel, found multi-sneaker buyers were 50 percent more likely to be very assertive and 47 percent more likely to be spontaneous.

Lauren Arvonio, a spokeswoman for Mindset Media, said sneaker buyers were more likely to fly by the seat of their pants.

"It is often said you can tell a lot about a person by the shoes they wear, and now we have some hard data to back that up," Arvonio told Reuters.

"What is interesting is that these personality traits held true across the board, regardless of age, income, or gender."