News Wrap: Britain sending air support to Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks

In our news wrap Tuesday, British authorities say they're sending air support to Saudi Arabia to protect against missiles and drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, Vice President Vance says he's not endorsing Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israeli elections and voters in Alberta overwhelmingly rejected a referendum that would have put the province on a path toward independence.

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Amna Nawaz:

In the day's other headlines; British authorities say they're sending air support to Saudi Arabia to protect against missiles and drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen.

Defense Secretary Wes Streeting says the Royal Air Force jets will operate in a defensive role and won't hit Houthi targets on the ground.

Separately, U.K. officials have rearrested two men on suspicion of helping Iranian intelligence in a suspected terror plot on an air base last month. The U.S. had used the facility to carry out strikes on Iran, but pulled its bombers out following the threat. Iran denies any involvement.

Vice President J.D. Vance says he is not endorsing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of next week's elections. In an interview aboard Air Force Two, the vice president broke with President Trump, who offered his support on Sunday.

Vice President J.D. Vance:

I endorse American candidates, and that's what I'm focused on, is the midterms.

Amna Nawaz:

The vice president also said he's -- quote -- "not getting involved" in Israeli elections, though he has campaigned for a foreign leader in the past, traveling to Hungary in April to help then-Prime Minister Viktor Orban in his failed reelection bid.

Vance's comments come a day after Netanyahu met with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during an unannounced trip to Israel.

In South Sudan, officials are blaming Sudan's military for a drone strike that killed more than 150 people at a market in a disputed area. Video from the scene shows a giant blaze burning in the Abyei region yesterday. It's one of the deadliest attacks since fighting erupted in 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF.

South Sudan declared independence from Sudan more than a decade ago. And since then, both have staked a claim to the oil-rich area. Sudan's military has not confirmed the strike.

In Canada, voters in Alberta overwhelmingly rejected a referendum that would have put the province on a path toward independence. It's a win for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has pushed for national cohesion amid ongoing trade tensions with the U.S.

Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister:

It's a great result for Canada that Albertans have chosen unity.

Amna Nawaz:

Carney says he spoke with Alberta's premier, who also welcomed the results, about greater cooperation moving forward. Alberta is a conservative stronghold and home to the world's fourth largest proven oil reserves. Despite the result, some separatist leaders have vowed to continue their efforts.

The CDC has confirmed a third measles-related death this year, as the U.S. faces the largest outbreak of the disease in decades. The health agency cited the fatality on its Web site, but has not said where any of the deaths occurred. State officials in Pennsylvania had already reported at least five deaths in that state alone.

The CDC has reportedly sent a so-called disease detective to Pennsylvania to address the outbreak. More than 4,400 measles cases have been confirmed nationwide, as vaccine rates for the highly contagious disease have declined.

Christina Applegate says she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis and has lived for years believing she had the disease. The Emmy-winning actress told her podcast co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler from "The Sopranos" that she was -- quote -- "not happy at all" when a doctor recently told her the news.

Christina Applegate, Actress:

This may come as great news, but to me, it comes as like very -- like, I'm back at square one, because you don't get misdiagnosed and then all of a sudden I'm better.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Actress:

Right. Right.

Christina Applegate:

I haven't gotten better, Jamie.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler:

Yes.

Christina Applegate:

If anything, I have gotten worse in some ways.

Amna Nawaz:

Applegate also says she still battles with debilitating health issues, which require the use of wheelchairs. She first announced her M.S. diagnosis in 2021. Since then, she's been an outspoken advocate and wrote about her struggles with the disease in a recent memoir.

Public health experts say nearly one in five patients diagnosed with M.S. are actually misdiagnosed.

On Wall Street today, stocks ended mostly higher after some strong corporate earnings reports. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped more than 500 points. The Nasdaq slipped just six points, so basically flat. The S&P 500 added roughly a quarter of 1 percent.

And prolific character actor Richard Riehle has died.

Richard Riehle, Actor:

I have people skills. I am good at dealing with people. Can't you understand it? What the hell is wrong with you people?

Amna Nawaz:

He's perhaps best known for playing an anxious product manager in the 1999 cult classic "Office Space." With his trademark mustache and Average Joe charm, Riehle logged more than 400 film and TV credits during nearly five decades in the business.

Those included movies such as "Glory" and "The Fugitive" and TV shows like "The Middle" and "The West Wing," among others. Riehle's management company announced his death yesterday, saying he was a -- quote -- "exceptional talent and a truly wonderful man." Richard Riehle was 78 years old.