Dan Verbin

News writer based in North America

One year later: Montreal mayor again breaks promise to adopt IHRA anti-Semitism definition

The mayor of Montreal failed to live up to her promise to adopt the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism. Jewish community "outraged."

Time for cautious optimistic? US sees travel surge, as 1.5 million pass through airports

For the first time since the pandemic began over a year ago, 1.5 million travellers entered the United States on Sunday.

Canadian Jewish groups to NDP: Don't reject IHRA Definition of Antisemitism

Jewish groups are asking the NDP not to give in to a move to overrule the party leader’s support of the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism.

It’s time to celebrate: Heinz Ketchup now Kosher for Passover

Heintz announces that it is now producing a Kosher for Passover version of its signature ketchup.

Live long and prosper: William Shatner turns 90 today

Star Trek actor William Shatner fittingly celebrated his 90th birthday today by announcing an AI interactive video.

NY Times denounced for smear of Orthodox Jewish prison reform group

New York Times accused of anti-Semitism for profiling Jewish group who lobbied Trump Admin for prison reform.

ADL to Twitter: Deplatform Iran Supreme Leader for anti-Semitism, calls to destroy Israel

ADL is urging Twitter to deplatform Iran’s Supreme Leader for “spreading hatred, violence and dangerous disinformation."

Jewish communities grapple with how to celebrate Passover during the pandemic

Jewish communities across the globe are grappling with the many facets of how to observe Passover during a pandemic into its second year.

Legal expert believes Trump may be guilty of sedition and insurrection

Rhetoric heats up about the potential for a criminal probe into Donald Trump’s actions surrounding the January 6 Capital riots.

In latest incident, man with swastika hat photographed in Melbourne train station

On Friday, a man wearing a baseball hat with a swastika patch on it was seen outside a Melbourne train station, following a worrying trend.

"Numerous" anti-Semitic posters and decals found in Canadian city

Investigation launched by RCMP after anti-Semitic decals and posters discovered along Abbott Street and at Kelowna General Hospital.

French Jews commemorate anniversary of 2012 terror attack at Jewish school

A ceremony commemorating the 2012 terror attack that killed a rabbi and three children at a Jewish school in Toulouse took place on Friday.

Iran caught discussing plan to attack US military base using boat as a bomb

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacking an American military base using a boat carrying explosive charges.

He’ll be back: Trump returning to social media with his own platform in 2-3 months

Donald Trump is returning to social media with his “own platform” that will “completely redefine the game."

Columbus man who threatened neighbors with anti-Semitic slurs facing hate crime charges

A Columbus, Ohio man has been charged with a federal hate crime after harassing his neighbors by shouting anti-Semitic slurs and threats.

Holocaust education bill closer to becoming law after passes Wisconsin senate vote

Holocaust education bill is close to becoming a requirement in Wisconsin schools after the state's senate approved the measure last week.

Greek Jews condemn defacing of memorial mural for Thessaloniki Holocaust victims

Jewish community of Thessaloniki "unequivocally" condemned vandalism to mural memorializing the city's Holocaust victims.

Donald Trump's luxury Boeing 757 sitting on NY runway awaiting expensive repairs

Donald Trump’s private jet was used in countless photos, campaign rallies and videos to demonstrate his wealth.

Canadian doctor warns against increase in indoor dining during COVID third wave

Infectious disease expert warns that allowing increase indoor dining during third wave of COVID could trigger super-spreader events.

With infection surge in France, Poland and Germany, new lockdowns take effect

Sudden rise in COVID rates has led to new partial lockdowns in France and Poland, and a possible re-entry into lockdown in Germany.

CNN ratings take nosedive since end of Trump presidency

Turns out all this time Donald Trump was actually CNN's good luck charm.

Smile: Israel ranked 12th happiest country in the world - down one from last year

Israel is the twelfth happiest country in the world, down one spot from last year, according to this year's World Happiness Report.

New restaurant calling itself the Soup Nazi Kitchen provokes anger in Washington town

A Washington state restaurant calling itself the Soup Nazi Kitchen restaurant has provoked the ire of local residents.

Wiesenthal Center: France needs to take action against neo-Nazi infiltrators in military

Wiesenthal Center has sent a letter expressing its dismay to French minister after revelation of neo-Nazi problem in military.

Study gives “Big Five” social media giants B- in fighting online hate

Annual Simon Wiesenthal Center digital terrorism and hate report struck a decidedly negative tone, found alarming "explosion of hate."

European drug regulatory agency says AstraZeneca vaccine safe but adds clot warning

Germany, France and others were waiting to get a ruling before making the decision on whether to continue using the vaccine.

Original director's cut of 2017's Justice League starring Israeli actress now available

2017's Justice League starring Israeli actress Gal Gadot was widely seen as a let down by fans who will now get to see a new director's cut.

James Levine, cantor’s grandson who conducted Met Opera for 40 years, dies at 77

James Levine, who led NYC Met Opera for years until allegations of abuse surfaced, has died at age 77.

Yeshiva U basketball star set on becoming NBA’s first Orthodox Jew

Last year Ryan Turell began turning heads with his impressive play, then the pandemic hit and the season was cancelled.

Canadian town’s hate speech resolution gaining momentum with municipalities country-wide

Canadian town has gained the support of other municipalities in its proposal to make hateful symbols part of hate speech law.

Suspect ID'd by Toronto Police in anti-Semitic attack outside bakery

Police in Toronto have announced that a suspect has been identified in an anti-Semitic attack outside a local bakery.

Roger Waters and Brian Eno blame Israel for anti-Semitism and promote BDS in discussion

Roger Waters and Brian Eno promote BDS movement while accusing Israel of spreading anti-Semitism and wielding an “anti-Semitic smear sword."

Probe into former President Trump's assets interviewing key players

After legal wrangling, New York prosecutors now have access to eight years of Donald Trump’s tax returns.

Controversial ethnic studies, plagued by anti-Jewish bias, coming to California schools

The state is set to vote on Thursday on the final revision of its ethnic studies curriculum, which had been condemned as anti-Semitic.

European Union to implement coronavirus passport for free travel within EU

The EU announced on Wednesday a "Digital Green Certificate" that would grant access to EU citizens to freely travel across the bloc.

BDS supporting socialist academic Cornel West says Israel views reason for tenure denial

West is doubling down on claim that his critical views on Israel were the reason for his not being given tenure at Harvard.

AJC CEO David Harris named ,Officer, of the Order of the Legion of Honor by France

David Harris, CEO of the American Jewish Committee has been awarded by France with one of the country's top honors.

Plaid Cymru, Welsh political party, vows to tackle allegations of internal anti-Semitism

Welsh nationalist political party announces that it has a problem dealing with anti-Semitism in its ranks.

App touted by government as public health measure sees only four percent usage

Upon its release, the Canadian government declared that the COVID Alert app would be a game changer in the fight against COVID-19.

American Jewish Committee urges UN members to adopt official anti-Semitism definition

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) is urging UN member states to adopt the IHRA Working Definition of Anti-Semitism.