Arctic thaw may yield laughing gas

LOOK OUT, SANTA - NEW AIR TRAFFIC OVER THE NORTH POLE: A handout photo provided by Generali Arctic Observer shows the hot air balloon of French doctor and explorer Jean-Louis Etienne shortly after takeoff on Monday from Longyearbyen in the Norwegian archipeleago of Spitzberg. Etienne is attempting the first solo crossing of the North Pole aboard a hot-air balloon - a seven- to 10-day, 3,500-km journey, that should take him to Alaska. Photo by FRANCIS LATREILLE / AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE