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After Ruinous War, Syria Regions May Go Separate Ways

Syria has already been shattered by more than four years of civil war, and with no solution in sight, some players on the ground and observers outside have concluded its fate will be to break up along sectarian or regional lines — in a best-case scenario, tenuously held together by a less centralized state.

A true partition would risk yet more mayhem, including ethnic or sectarian cleansing and battle over every bend in the border. But so spectacular is Syria's disaster that many wonder whether its disparate groups can share a unifying national sentiment again.

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Lebanon Remains a 'Priority' but World Response for Refugee Aid Remains Weak

The U.N. chief's Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Philippe Lazzarini, has lamented that the response of the international community to the needs of Syrian refugees in Lebanon and other countries is weak.

In an interview with An Nahar daily published on Wednesday, Lazzarini said: “The response does not meet the needs.”

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G7, Gulf States Pledge $1.8 billion for U.N. Refugee Aid in Mideast

The G7 group of leading economies and Gulf states pledged $1.8 billion in funding Tuesday for U.N. aid agencies helping Syrian refugees in camps near Mideast areas of turmoil .

The commitment came after U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told world leaders at the opening of the General Assembly debate that U.N. humanitarian agencies were "broke."

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Yaalon Warns Israel Won't Tolerate Transfer of Advanced Weapons to Hizbullah

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon has warned that Israel will not tolerate advanced weapons reaching Hizbullah, which has fought alongside Syrian troops.

“Those who try to violate our sovereignty – we will strike them, and those who try to transfer advanced weapons to terror elements, with an emphasis on Hizbullah, we will strike them, and those who try to transfer chemical weapons to terror elements, we will strike them,” Yaalon said on Tuesday during a visit to Gaza-border communities.

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Julie Schumacher Wins Thurber Prize for American Humor

A comic saga of a creative writing professor and his letters of recommendation has won the Thurber Prize for American Humor.

Author Julie Schumacher received $5,000 and a crystal plaque for winning with "Dear Committee Members." She was honored Monday at the New York comedy club Carolines on Broadway.

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Musicians Armin Van Buuren, Luke Bryan Most Dangerous Online

If you're planning to look up Usher, Luke Bryan or producer Armin van Buuren on the web, take heed.

Intel Security announced Tuesday that the musicians top its ninth annual list of the most dangerous celebrities online. Searches for those famous names are most likely to land users on websites that carry viruses or malware. The company used its own site ratings to compile the celebrity list.

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Carpi Fires Coach 6 Matches into Debut Serie A Season

Last-place Carpi has fired coach Fabrizio Castori six matches into its first Serie A season.

Carpi made the announcement Monday without immediately naming a replacement.

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Everton Rallies to Beat West Brom 3-2 in Premier League

Romelu Lukaku scored two goals and set up another against his former club as Everton rallied from two goals down to beat West Bromwich Albion 3-2 Monday in the Premier League.

Lukaku slotted in the winner in the 84th minute with his second attempt after a cross from Gerard Deulofeu to complete the second-half comeback and lift Everton to fifth in the standings.

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Durant back, Oklahoma City Thunder Set Sights on NBA Title

Kevin Durant couldn't help himself.

While recovering from surgery on his broken right foot, the Oklahoma City Thunder star put himself through the agony of watching Golden State win the NBA title. The Thunder were among the favorites last season before Durant was injured.

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Kobe Not Quite Ready for Retirement in 20th Year with Lakers

The third-leading scorer in NBA history had only the faintest smirk when he stood in front of the photographers in his gold jersey Monday and held up a white sign reading: "Kobe Bryant."

Even heading into his 20th season, Bryant isn't exempted from the Los Angeles Lakers' regular preseason rites like the media day that precedes the start of training camp. The little things don't appear to bother Bryant as much as they might have when he was closer to championship parades than retirement parties.

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