GUESS WHO’S NOT COMING TO DINNER — The Helmsley Hotel in New York has cancelled a long-planned banquet because Iranian president was scheduled to attend and to speak. Helmsley made the announcement after

being informed that the Iranian Prez was on the agenda. The president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is to be in New York next week for the meeting of the UN General Assembly next week. Ahmad yesterday made more threats to

Israel saying that it would not “last long.” “Neither the Iranian mission nor President Ahmadinejad is welcome at any Helmsley facility,” said a hotel statement.

“STABBED IN THE BACK” – The Polish newspaper Fakt wrote on its front page: “The U.S. sold us to Russia and stabbed us in the back.” Eastern Europeans are responding today to yesterday’s announcement by the Obama administration that it would scrap the U.S. missile shield promised

to the Czechs and Poles by the Bush administration. It was referred to as a foreign policy “earthquake” by critics of the Obama administration who heavily criticized the actions. Most experts believe Obama, who didn’t like the missile shield anyway, caved into the Russians to get their support for

stopping Iran from getting a nuclear missile. But the Russians have yet to voice any support for stopping Iran. “The Russians will have the chance over the next few weeks to show their support for Iranian actions,” said White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.

THAT’S A LOT OF DOUGH – Christie’s Auction House in London announced today that it would be placing a masterpiece by Rembrandt on the block and expects it may get $43

million at auction. The painting, titled, “Portrait of a Man, half-length, with his arms akimbo,” was painted in 1658 and has not been seen by the public for

over 40 years. The art world is watching this sale, wondering if it’s recent market problems may be behind it. This price would be a record for a Rembrandt.

THAT’S KIND OF A RED FLAG – The alleged murderer of Yale grad student Annie Le arrived home on the night of the killing to his fiance with scratches on his face and wearing different clothes, according to his fiance’s testimony to police.

Police today arrested suspect Raymond Clark, a technician at the lab where Le worked, and escorted him in handcuff into the courtroom. He was arrested this morning at the Super 8 motel north of the Ivy league school, where he was staying since he was brought in for questioning two days ago.

At that time he gave DNA samples which police said today matched DNA at the scene of the murder. Lewis did not enter a plea at his arraignment.

MISSILES NO MORE – The Obama administration announced today that it would scrap the missile defense sytem and informed both Poland and the Czech Republic of the pullout.

Under the Bush administration, plans were made to protect Eastern Europe from Russian and Iranian missile attacks. After the Russians made clear their opposition, the Obama administration pulled out, leading critics to claim that Obama “caved” to the Russians.

Others contend it was the price to pay for Russian support to stop Iran from building a nuclear bomb. Obama officials relayed the word to disappointed Eastern European officials, whose countries have been invaded by Russians and wanted additional protections.

YEAH, IT’S NOT A RED CARPET EVENT – Singer Chris Brown was all smiles and waves to a camera crew filming his first day of community service.

Brown was sentenced to 180 days of labor and five years of probation after an “incident” with his former girlfriend, R & B singer, Rihanna (the incident being he beat her up – bad).

Richmond, Virginia police provided extra officers to supervise the star as he spent the day clearing weeds, brush and trash from the police horse stables. But take heart, taxpayers, Brown will be picking up the tab for the cost of the extra security.

LIAR, NO. BUFFOON, YES. – Members of Congress said yesterday that some rules of conduct from the House of Representatives may be enforced after the infamous outburst from Rep. Joe Wilson during Obama’s address to the joint session.

Since it’s not enough to ask for appropriate and professional behavior in the House, a list of acceptable vocabulary may be in order. Please don’t call the president a “liar” (duh), or a “hypocrite.”

Refrain from calling the president “intellectually dishonest”, and by all means, don’t speak of “sexual misconduct.” Monica Lewinsky would have liked that one.

NO TAKEBACKS – Notre Dame has filed a lawsuit against a caterer after accidentally tipping the employee $29,000. The university wants caterer Sara Gaspar to return the money;

however, she has already paid her bills and bought a new car with the large tip. The check was mistakenly written for $29,387 instead of $29.87. Gasper claims she left several messages about the check, all of which went unreturned.

Her supervisors confirmed the legitimacy of the check. Gasper’s attorney states Gaspar did not act inappropriately since the money was listed as “gratuity” and not “wages.”

HI HONEY, I’M HOME – A Connecticut police officer, Jared Rohrig, quit the force yesterday after pleading not guilty to sexually assaulting his twin brother’s girlfriend while impersonating him.

According to an affidavit, the girlfriend realized she was having sex with Jared, not her boyfriend Joseph, when she noticed he did not have a cowboy tattoo on his backside. The sex swap happened at his parents’ home.

The 25-year-old Orange Police Department officer was placed on administrative leave the day the woman filed the complaint. Rohrig was charged with first-degree sexual assault and criminal impersonation. Rohrig’s mother, Joanne Rohrig, the Minority Leader for the Board of Education, announced she is not seeking reelection in order to focus on her family.

MAYBE FOR YOU — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke reported yesterday that the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression is “probably over,” but that a lot of pain remained in our economic sector. He also said that the 15 million unemployed would continue to feel the effects for some time to come.

The unemployment rate is now 9.7% and rising, with most experts saying that it will top 10% by the end of the year. Bernanke is government’s highest official to say that the recession is probably over, giving some confidence to the markets still reeling from last year’s meltdown.

Recently, the Fed chairman said the economy seems to be “leveling off,” and the world economy is “beginning to emerge.” The recession started in December 2007 and has meant a loss of almost seven million jobs.