The Executioner: The Islamic State killer known as “Jihadi John” who has appeared in videos beheading hostages has been identified as Mohammed Emwazi, a former British resident born in Kuwait who grew up in London. Emwazi has a college degree in computer programming. He is reported to have travelled to Syria in 2012 to join ISIS.

The killer always appears dressed entirely in black with a black balaclava revealing only his eyes. He clearly has a British accent.

The Washington Post reports that Emwazi became radicalized after he was detained with friends travelling in 2009 to a safari in Tanzania. British intelligence officers accused him of trying to go to Somalia instead. Friends told the Post Emwazi came away incensed at his treatment.

The Recruits: Three men who live in Brooklyn were arrested yesterday and accused of plotting to help or fight for the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. One of the three was at JFK airport preparing to board a jet to Turkey where, authorities say, he planned to cross the border into Syria and join Islamic State fighters. One of them is accused of providing money and logistics to help the other two join the cause.

Two of the men arrested are citizens of Uzbekistan, one from Kazakhstan.

Thousands of young men from Europe have joined ISIS and yesterday’s arrests are an indication that young men in America are trying to do the same. FBI Director James Comey said in a speech yesterday that ISIS is putting out a “siren song” to aimless and troubled young Muslims, saying, “come to the caliphate, you will live a life of glory, these are the apocalyptic end times, you will find a life of meaning here.”

Diplomacy: Friction is building over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled speech to Congress next week. The Republican majority invited him and the Democrats disapprove of the end-run around the relationship between Netanyahu and President Obama. National Security advisor Susan Rice told Charlie Rose on PBS Tuesday night, “It’s destructive to the fabric of the relationship.”

President Obama plans to snub Netanyahu during his visit and some Democrats might skip the address. Netanyahu wants to speak about the dangers of Iraq’s nuclear weapons program. “On such a fateful matter, that can determine whether or not we survive, I must do everything to prevent such a great danger for Israel,” Netanyahu said in a speech.

The Cherry Orchard: Investigators yesterday cleared out a large marijuana farm located in the basement of a decades-old maraschino cherry cannery in Brooklyn. The owner, Arthur Mondella, 57, killed himself in his office bathroom as investigators discovered the farm below. The factory has been there since 1948, but in recent years neighbors have seen Mondella coming and going with a fleet of expensive cars including a Porsche, a Rolls Royce, and a Mercedes.

According to the NY Times investigators came looking into a toxic dumping complaint but smelled the marijuana and started asking questions. Mondella excused himself to the bathroom and after being in there a while yelled to his sister, “Take care of my kids,” then fired his gun.

Weather: It’s snowing in Washington, DC this morning. A winter storm is hitting the East Coast from Virginia to Maryland, Delaware, southeast Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. So far today 1,213 flights have been cancelled and more than 4,600 delayed.

Public Service: A Los Angeles judge has ordered troubled actress Lindsay Lohan to perform another 125 hours of community service after ruling that Lohan’s appearance in a London play last year did not qualify as “community service.” Lohan originally was ordered to perform 240 hours of service as part of a 2012 reckless driving case.

We suggest that the best community service Lohan could perform would be to just go away. And take her mother with her.

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