On the version of Hot off the Wire posted July 25 at 7:30 a.m. CT:

President Joe Biden has delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country’s democracy. In an address Wednesday he laid out his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden insisted “the defense of democracy is more important than any title.” He did not directly call out former President Donald Trump, whom he has called an existential threat to democracy. “Nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy,” Biden said in his 10-minute address from the Oval Office. “And that includes personal ambition.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to make a long-awaited White House visit to meet with President Joe Biden and likely Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at an important moment for all three politicians. Netanyahu delivered a scathing speech to Congress Wednesday to defend Israel’s conduct in the war and vowed “total victory” against Hamas.

A joint U.S.-Canada aerospace command says two Chinese and two Russian military planes were tracked flying over international waters near Alaska. NORAD, or the North American Aerospace Defense Command, said American and Canadian fighter jets were sent up in response. It also said the activity was not seen as a threat.

Southwest Airlines is doing away with a 50-year tradition and plans to start assigning seats. The airline is also looking to introduce redeye flights.

DETROIT (AP) — BMW is recalling more than 291,000 SUVs in the U.S. because the interior cargo rails can detach in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The recall covers certain X3 SUVs from the 2018 through 2023 model years.

In other news:

• Democrats poised to virtually nominate Harris — and her running mate — by Aug. 7.
• Crowdstrike blames update for letting bad data slip through causing global tech outage.
• Watchdog finds no improper influence in sentencing recommendation for Trump ally Roger Stone.
• Secret DEA files show agents joked about rape in WhatsApp chat. Then one of them was accused of it.
• Man who attacked author Salman Rushdie charged with supporting terrorist group.
• Fake protest set for TV shoot on NYC campus sparks real demonstration by pro-Palestinian activists.
• The Winter Olympics are returning to the United States, Alex Cora gets a contract extension as his Red Sox are pounded by the Rockies, the Mets earn a Subway Series sweep of the Yankees and the Giants best the rival Dodgers, the NBA and WNBA strike landmark media rights deals and more.
• IOC approves French Alps bid backed by President Macron to host the 2030 Winter Olympics.
• Olympic fans can eat, drink and cheer in a mini World's Fair in Paris park.

—The Associated Press

About this program

Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.