News Wrap: U.S. reports rise in hate, domestic threats in wake of Israel-Hamas war

Geoff Bennett:

In the day's other headlines: Capitol Hill is grappling with new domestic threats in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.

At a Senate hearing today, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed a rise in hate towards Arab-Americans, Muslims, and Jews. And FBI Director Christopher Wray acknowledged that Jewish communities have been uniquely targeted.

Christopher Wray, FBI Director:

When you look at a group that makes up 2.4 percent, roughly, of the American population, it should be jarring to everyone that that same population accounts for something like 60 percent of all religious-based hate crimes. And so they need our help.

Geoff Bennett:

Wray also warned that Hamas actions in the Middle East could inspire other terrorist attacks, including by violent extremists in the U.S.

The Senate also confirmed Jack Lew to be the next U.S. ambassador to Israel at a critical moment in the country's war with Hamas. Lew previously served as Treasury secretary under President Obama. The U.S. hasn't had a Senate-confirmed ambassador to Israel since July.

Michigan's attorney general has ended prosecutions over Flint's tainted water without making any criminal convictions. The decision comes after the state's Supreme Court rejected an effort to revive charges against former Governor Rick Snyder and others accused of wrongdoing.

In 2014, the city switched its water supply to the Flint River, but didn't properly treat the water for lead. Tens of thousands of Flint residents were exposed to dangerous levels of lead. At least 12 people died from Legionnaires' disease. And some residents of the majority-black city say they're still grappling with long-term health issues.

The Biden administration is deepening its crackdown on so-called junk fees, this time by proposing new rules on retirement advisers. The guidelines would require advisers to recommend plans that are in the customers' best interest, instead of trying to boost their own bottom lines.

President Biden made the announcement today at the White House and said the move was necessary to protect retirement security.

Joe Biden, President of the United States: If this rule is finalized as proposed, it's going to protect workers and it's going to save for — that are saving through their retirements. It'll protect seniors from being exploited. It'll protect many trustworthy financial advisers out there who are doing the right thing from unfair competition.

Geoff Bennett:

The president has also tried to eliminate hidden junk fees in other areas, like concert tickets, hotel reservations, and airfare.

In Pakistan, Afghan refugees are fleeing the country in droves ahead of the government's fast-approaching crackdown on migrants living in the country illegally. A wall of trucks formed along border areas as families crammed the cargo beds with their belongings. They have until tomorrow to leave or face deportation. Afghans say they were given just one month's notice.

Rohullah Khan, Afghan Refugee (through interpreter):

We lived nearly 40 years in Pakistan, but they did not accept us, nor give us any documents so we can stay.

But the disappointing thing for us is that the government should have given us at least one year to leave. Now we are on our way to Afghanistan, and winter is coming, and there will be no work for us there.

Geoff Bennett:

U.N. agencies say Afghans make up the bulk of Pakistan's migrant population at more than two million. Some 600,000 Afghans fled to Pakistan over the Taliban takeover more than two years ago.

A record 6.9 million people have been uprooted by the decades-long conflict in Congo. That's according to new data from the U.N.'s migration agency. It says its one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. Most of those who've been displaced come from Congo's eastern provinces taken over by armed groups seeking natural resources.

And stocks closed higher on Wall Street today. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 124 points to close at 33053. The Nasdaq rose 62 points. The S&P 500 added 27.