A race to evacuate a Canadian city. Mortgage rates reach new heights and a very

mysterious fire at a very wonky pub. That's some of what we'll get to today on the show. I'm Jeff Pierre and this is

the seven from the Washington Post. It's Friday, August 18th. Let's get you caught up with

today's seven stories.

Number one, U.S. intelligence says Ukraine won't meet the key goal of its counter-offensive.

Ukraine wants to retake the southeastern city of Melitopel.

It's a vital transit hub.

It allows Russia to move troops and equipment from Crimea to other occupied territories in Ukraine.

But according to a U.S. intelligence assessment, Russian mine fields and trenches will stop Ukrainian forces from reaching the city.

If that assessment is correct, it will raise questions about why an

offensive backed by tens of billions of dollars of Western support fell short.

Number two, a wildfire in Canada has triggered a race to evacuate an entire city. Yellowknife is the capital of the Northwest Territories. It has about 20,000

residents and authorities are trying to evacuate them all as a raging wildfire approaches the city.

People have been urged to leave by noon local time today.

Wildfires have charred nearly 33 million acres in Canada this season,

an area equivalent to the size of Alabama. The fires have often blanketed the

U.S. with smoke. They've been fueled by long-term drought and extreme temperatures which

have been intensified by climate change.

Number three, homebuyers beware.

Mortgage rates have reached the highest point since 2002.

Yesterday, the average 30-year fixed loan

hit 7.09%.

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