What we’re watching Monday

Good morning. It’s Monday, December 16, 2013. Here’s what we’re watching this morning.

Death toll rises in Syria air raid

• The death toll from the Syrian air force’s Sunday bombings of Aleppo rise to at least 76.
• On Sunday, the United Nations began airlifting humanitarian aid from Iraq to Syrian Kurdish northeast.

John Kerry boosts support for maritine security in Southeast Asia

• In Hanoi, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announces increased maritime security aid to Southeast Asia amid tensions with China

• Kerry also criticizes Chinese air defense zone in E. China Sea Chinese newspaper accuses U.S. Navy

• China’s “Global Times” newspaper accused a US vessel of harassing the Chinese fleet on December 5.

Coup fails in South Sudan

• South Sudan’s foreign minister says the nation’s former vice president and disgruntled soldiers attemped a coup, but were repulsed.

Attacks in Iraq

• Suicide attacks across Iraq killed at least 29 people on Monday.