Evidence mounted that Russian air defense systems downed an Azerbaijan Airlines flight in Kazakhstan, killing 38 passengers. US officials confirmed this assessment by midday, while the Kremlin warned against speculation.
Israel intensified strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, with one strike nearly hitting WHO's director at Sanaa airport. This expansion of conflict zones occurred as the New York Times revealed Israel's loosened bombing protocols in Gaza.
Trump's border policies for 2025 gained clarity, with plans for family detention and mass deportations. His appointed border czar detailed implementation strategies, while California considered protective measures for undocumented residents.
Finnish authorities seized a Russian-linked vessel suspected of cutting undersea Baltic cables, marking an escalation in infrastructure targeting. By evening, US officials suggested the vessel belonged to Russia's "shadow fleet."