10 METRO Monday, October 19, 2009 D day. We believe we have evidence to indicate it was a publicity stunt done with the hopes of marketing themselves for a reality TV show, Sheriff Alderden said. The sheriff said no charges had been filed, and the parents werent under arrest but that he was recom- mending charges of conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to au- thorities and attempting to mislead a public servant. Some of the most se- rious charges each carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 (335,000) fine. He said all three of the Heenes sons knew of the hoax including six-year-old Falcon but wont be facing charges because of their ages. METROWorld Parents of balloon boy face chargesBY DAN ELLIOTTA SHERIFF claimed last night it was a hoax when the parents of a six-year-old boy reported their son was in a helium balloon hurtling through the sky when he was actu- ally hiding in their garage. Colorado sheriff Jim Alderden said Richard and Mayumi Heene put on a very good show when they sparked a police and military operation to save the boy last Thurs- Conspiracy: Richard and Mayumi Heene with Falcon (centre) Picture: Reuters IRAN: A suicide bomber killed 31 people, including five senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guards, in an attack in the turbulent southeast yesterday. State television said a local Sunni rebel group, Jundullah, had claimed responsibility for the attack on a meeting of tribal chiefs in which another 28 people were injured. But the Guards themselves accused foreign elements linked to the US of involvement and state TV pointed the finger at Britain, another long-standing foe of Iran. The allegations of foreign involvement are likely to raise tensions at nuclear talks in Vienna today between Iranian, US, French and Russian officials. AmeRIcA: Shoppers in a Wisconsin grocery store got a shock when a black bear weighing 58kg (125lb) wandered inside and headed straight for the beer section. The animal climbed up on to a shelf in the beer cooler where it sat for about an hour while employees evacuated customers. They then summoned wildlife officials who quickly tranquillised the animal. cANAdA: A ship carrying 76 migrant workers has been seized off the Pacific coast. Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan said that there were indications the ship, believed to be destined for Canada, had originated in Sri Lanka, though he was unable to confirm this. The ship, sailing under the name Ocean Lady, was escorted by a navy frigate and two Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) vessels to Victoria, Vancouver Island. Government agencies are conducting health and immigration inspections. Pictures released by the RCMP of the ship appear to show people waving to a helicopter overhead. The individuals pictured are wearing civilian clothes. BOTSWANA: President Ian Khama secured a new five- year term, extending his rule over the worlds largest diamond producer, after his ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) swept to victory in parliamentary elections. Mr Khama (pictured) will remain at the helm of the southern African nation, which is battling a recession and internal party strife. The country has been hard hit as the global economic slowdown cuts demand for diamonds, which account for some 40 per cent of the economy. However, investors regard it as one of Africas gems, with a history of budget surpluses and the regions strongest currency. ZImBABWe: President Robert Mugabe is too busy with students and soccer to address the crisis in his government, his spokesman has said. The comments in a state-run newspaper reflect the indifference with which Mr Mugabes party has reacted to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirais announcement of withdrawal from the coalition until several disputes could be worked out. Spokesman George Charamba said Mr Mugabe (pictured) was arranging student scholarships and welcoming international soccer players. The president will find time when the right time comes, he said. ThAIlANd: A highway billboard depicting a saluting Adolf Hitler to advertise a wax museum has been covered up after complaints from Israeli and German embassies. The idea came from an ad agency we did not mean to cause any offence, said the manager of the Louis Tussauds Waxworks in the seaside resort of Pattaya. The billboard, which in Thai language said Hitler is not dead, had been up for several weeks on the main road from the capital Bangkok and was meant to promote the museums planned opening. We werent showing his image to celebrate him, the manager said. We think hes an important historical figure, but in a horrible way. BRAZIl: Officials are insisting security wont be a problem for the 2016 Olympics, despite weekend drug-gang violence that plunged Rio de Janeiro into a day of bloody chaos just two weeks after it was picked to host the games. An hour-long gun battle between rival gangs killed a dozen people, injured six and saw a police helicopter shot down and eight buses set on fire. Authorities said the mayhem would only toughen their resolve to improve security ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament in 2014. Rio state governor Sergio Cabral (pictured) said the security challenges cant be cured by magic in the short term. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html