McGill microbiologist looks at Martian-like environment on Earth and finds evidence of bacteria.

By JENNIFER DITCHBURN OTTAWA (CP) - Nunavut is abuzz over the Conservative campaign promise of a deep-sea port for the territory as Prime Minister Stephen Harper makes his first official visit to the Arctic this weekend.

The Northwest Passage, the fabled water route between Europe and Asia that called to early explorers, is becoming a controversial reality. Ships with reinforced hulls and luck with wind and currents already can navigate it for a short time in summer.

Seabird droppings raising Arctic chemical levels: study OTTAWA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Seabird droppings are leaving more than a foul mess in the Arctic -- they are contaminating northern lakes and ponds with extremely high levels of mercury and DDT, said a study carried out by Canadian researchers.