Olympic torch crosses Arctic

The Olympic flame began its first trek through the Canadian Arctic by crossing paths with a polar bear on the shores of Hudson Bay, local media reported Tuesday.

The Olympic torch run across Canada stopped briefly to let the bear pass while en route from the airport to Churchill, in the northeastern province of Manitoba, said broadcaster CTV.

It later headed further north to a remote outpost on the northeastern tip of Ellesmere Island, coming for the first time within 900 kilometers of the North Pole.