The 10 leading U.S. Democratic presidential candidates are debating Thursday night, but the focus is likely to be on the three top-polling contenders: former Vice President Joe Biden, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. The other seven will have to try to edge their way into the top tier of challengers.

ON THIS DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY On September 12, 1944, legendary soul singer-songwriter Barry Eugene Carter, more commonly known as Barry White, is born in Galveston, Texas. “The Maestro” was known for his deep baritone voice, steamy lyrics and lush arrangements. White was most popular during the disco era in the 1970s when he had a string of hits, including “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe,” “Your Sweetness Is My Weakness” and “It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me.” He is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with 20 gold singles, 10 platinum singles and worldwide sales estimated at 100 million records. White died in 2003.

Iran says it has sold oil on a tanker near Syria’s coast to a private company in defiance of U.S. efforts to stop such a sale, fueling debate among observers about whether the ship has offloaded any crude.

Two years ago, French leader Emmanuel Macron was widely seen as the most bellicose of Western leaders when it came to confronting Moscow over its annexation of Crimea and its fomenting of violent separatism in the Donbas region of Ukraine. Now, he is heading calls for Russia to be brought back into the Western fold, and his diplomatic outreach is making some of France’s allies nervous.

VIDEO: Surfing is an ancient Polynesian sport that became a craze in the U.S. and Australia in the 1950s. In the U.S., California and Hawaii were ground zero for surf culture, including movies and music, both of which still have a following. These days, people aren’t the only ones surfing. VOA visited a unique surfing school.

VIDEO: Nations around the world spent $1.8 trillion on their militaries in 2018. Plugged In with Greta Van Susteren examines the new global arms race and how outer space plays a role in future warfare and peacekeeping. Guests include Leon Panetta, former U.S. Defense Secretary and CIA Director.