Over a dozen U.S. Army troops have been left trapped in Marjah, Afghanistan, amid enemy fire by Taliban fighters after a U.S. special operations soldier was killed earlier on.  Enemy forces surround the compound the soldiers are taking cover in, as they wait for backup over night. Foxnews.com reports: A U.S. official described the “harrowing” scene to Fox News, saying there were enemy forces surrounding the compound in which the special operations team sought refuge.

A new scientific study published in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology has proved that fracking wastewater causes cancer in humans.  The paper titled, Malignant human cell transformation of Marcellus Shale gas drilling flow back water, confirms the suspicions already held by many people – that fracking pollution is carcinogenic. Scott.net reports: The new collaborative study was conducted by scientists at esteemed institutions in both the U.S.

Authored by Ben Tanosborn,

North Korea has confirmed that it has "successfully tested a hydrogen bomb." The test was "an act of self-defense" against threats like the US.

#NorthKorea: hydrogen bomb test was a success that advances country's nuclear capability

— Sangwon Yoon (@sangwonyoon) January 6, 2016

Many people start a new year with renewed optimism. However, "New Year, Same Problems" is the meme of 2016... and recent trading has dashed some of that optimistic 'This time it's different' hope.

Courtesy of: Visual Capitalist

NEW YEAR, SAME PROBLEMS

Most investors and central bankers find themselves between a rock and a hard place to start 2016.

The Federal Reserve finally raised rates in December, but mainly in the interest of preserving credibility.