National

Black smoke was seen coming from the chimney of the Russian consulate in San Francisco just one day after the Trump administration ordered its closure, per the AP.

And now the weather: It's 95 degrees today in usually temperate San Francisco.

Why it matters:  Russian officials wouldn't allow firefighters into the building, and a spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department told the AP that the fire "was not unintentional. They were burning something in the fireplace." Given the current tensions between Russia and the U.S., it's not surprising that this might happen.

Smoke seen coming from Russian consulate chimney in SF

Just one day after the Trump administration ordered its closure.

Politics

Black smoke was seen coming from the chimney of the Russian consulate in San Francisco just one day after the Trump administration ordered its closure, per the AP.And now the weather: It&#x27;s 95 degrees today in usually temperate San Francisco.Why it matters: Russian officials wouldn&#x27;t allow firefighters into the building, and a spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department told the AP that the fire &quot;was not unintentional. They were burning something in the fireplace.&quot; Given the current tensions between Russia and the U.S., it&#x27;s not surprising that this might happen.

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

Smoke seen coming from Russian consulate chimney in SF

Go deeper