A quiet Saturday in. Perfect.

THE earliest confirmed autopsy in North America was conducted more than 400 years ago by French colonists desperate to determine what was killing them as they endured a rugged winter on St Croix Island, scientists have concluded.

An American couple were killed and their three small children were badly injured when lightning struck a campsite in the Utah mountains where the family had taken shelter under trees.

An attempt by adventurer Steve Fossett to fly solo around the world was wrecked today when winds damaged his balloon in Australia.