LiveLive Updates May 20, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeMay 20, 2026UpdatesRussia ready to help out with U.S.-Iran talks, deputy foreign minister tells TASSRussia is ready to help out with talks between the United States and Iran over their ongoing military conflict, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying by TASS state news agency on Wednesday."Russia is ready to provide all possible assistance in resolving this conflict, and the parties involved are well aware of this," Ryabkov said.8 minutes agoU.S. Senate advances symbolic measure curbing Trump's Iran war powersSenator John Fetterman (D-PA) heads into the Senate Chamber to vote on the war powers resolution in March. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via AFPSenator John Fetterman (D-PA) heads into the Senate Chamber to vote on the war powers resolution in March. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images via AFPThe U.S. Senate advanced a war powers resolution on Tuesday that would end the Iran war unless President Donald Trump obtains Congress' authorization, a rare rebuke of the Republican leader although the measure remains several steps from going into effect.This was Senate Democrats' eighth effort to advance a war powers resolution and the first one to pass. The vote was 50-47 in favor. Bill Cassidy, who recently lost his Louisiana primary after Trump disavowed the Republican Senator, joined Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul in breaking party ranks by voting for the resolution.Though the vote means little in practice, since it is outside the 60-day window from the war's launch, it is still a symbolic rebuke by Democrats of Trump's handling of the war. As in previous votes, Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote against the measure.Trump, meanwhile, told lawmakers at the White House on Tuesday that the United States "will end the war very quickly" with Iran.All 430 flotilla activists now on way to Israel, Foreign Ministry says; denies using live fireThe Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that all 430 activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla had been transferred to Israeli vessels and were en route to Israel, adding that the activists would be allowed to meet their consular representatives.Israel also denied using live ammunition during the interception of the vessels."At no point was live ammunition fired," the Foreign Ministry said. "Following multiple warnings, non-lethal means were employed toward the vessels - not toward protesters - as a warning. No protesters were injured during these events," it added.See full story.RECAP: IDF says officer killed in southern Lebanon in clashes with Hezbollah operativesHere are Wednesday's updates from the U.S.-Iran cease-fire and Israel's war with Hezbollah:■ The IDF announced that Major (res.) Itamar Sapir, 27, was killed during clashes with Hezbollah operatives while scanning buildings in a village in southern Lebanon. Sapir, a deputy company commander in the IDF's 551 Brigade, is survived by his wife and young son.■ The U.S. seized an Iran-linked oil tanker in the Indian Ocean overnight, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing three U.S. officials. The tanker was sanctioned by Washington in March for transporting Iranian oil and was reportedly carrying more than one million barrels of crude loaded at Iran's Kharg Island in February.■ U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington and Tehran are making "a lot of progress" in ongoing talks and that neither side wants a renewed military campaign. "We think the Iranians want to make a deal," Vance told reporters at the White House.■ The U.S. imposed sanctions on four individuals linked to the Gaza-bound flotilla movement, accusing them of ties to Hamas-aligned networks. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the flotilla initiative was an attempt to undermine U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region and vowed Washington would continue targeting Hamas' international financial support networks.■ Prosecutors agreed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to cancel Wednesday's hearing in his corruption trial, citing security and diplomatic considerations outlined in confidential materials submitted to the court.■ Somaliland announced it will soon open an embassy in Jerusalem after Israel became the first country to formally recognize the self-declared republic. Israel is also expected to establish an embassy in Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa.In the NewsU.S. Senate Passes Symbolic War Powers Resolution as Trump Vows 'Very Quick' EndTrump's Board of Peace to UN: Promised Funding for Gaza Rebuild Not TransferredGOP Rebel Massie Loses Primary After Record-high Spending From pro-Israel FoesU.S. Justice Department to Launch Antisemitism Advisory Committee, 15-city TourInstead of Fighting Jewish Terror, Israeli Police Officers Fight JournalismRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIHundreds Protest at New York Times HQ Over Column Alleging Abuse by IsraelisICC Prosecutor Seeks Warrants for Ben-Gvir, Smotrich, Other Israeli OfficialsEverybody Loses in the Cynical Israeli-Palestinian Sexual Violence CompetitionWelcome to the Most Shameful Day in the Jewish CalendarIsraeli Settler Filmed Abusing Palestinian-owned Dog in West BankIsraeli Teens Storm Muslim Quarter in Old City, Haaretz Reporter Attacked