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The battle for the Democratic Party’s 2020 presidential nomination kicks into high gear this week with the first of what will be monthly debates among the candidates leading up to the first caucus and primary votes early next year. Miami, Florida, will host the first debates Wednesday and Thursday. Each night will feature 10 different contenders vying for the right to take on President Donald Trump in November 2020.

ON THIS DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY On June 25, 2009, entertainer Micheal Jackson is found dead in his Los Angeles home. The cause of death was cardiac arrest caused by a deadly combination of drugs. The talented singer and dancer, who was often referred to as the “King of Pop,” grew up in the spotlight, starting with his career as the standout talent of the Jackson 5 and going on to release mega solo albums like “Off the Wall,” “Thriller’ and “Bad.” “Thriller” would become the best selling album of all time. Jackson also played the scarecrow in the movie “The Wiz.” Jackson’s later career was dogged by accusations of child molestation, drug use and an apparent obsession with plastic surgery. At the time of his death, Jackson was planning a comeback tour after a long time out of the spotlight. His July 7, 2009, memorial service was viewed by tens of millions around the world.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico will span more than 20,277 square kilometers, not far from the record set in 2017.

Just a month after a state visit to Japan, U.S. President Donald Trump returns this week to the East Asian country. In Osaka, Trump will attend the Group of 20 leaders’ summit, during which he is scheduled to meet on the sidelines with fellow world leaders, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

VIDEO: A Kenyan ice hockey team, the only one in East Africa, has hosted an exhibition tournament with teams made up by foreign diplomats. The Kenya Ice Lions hope to bring more attention to the sport and its bid to qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The United States is convening an economic workshop in the Persian Gulf state of Bahrain Tuesday aimed at jumpstarting the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. America’s Middle East allies are attending, but the key players are not there.