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NPR's Melissa Block reflects on the results of an annual survey about what most scares Americans. The nation's health care system, pollution and another world war rank in the top 10.

Also: Time Magazine names Pope Francis "Person of the Year"; federal investigators open hearing into deadly San Francisco plane crash; millions of children around the world don't have birth certificates; and the deaf interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial service is called a fake.

Also: The sign language interpreter at the Mandela memorial ceremony says he has schizophrenia; Kerry returns to Israel for more shuttle diplomacy; Yahoo email slowly returns to normal; and the smog is getting so bad in China pilots are ordered to learn how to land blind.

Also: Venezuela arrests its fiery opposition leader; Obama will meet Mexican and Canadian leaders; a U.S. soldier who raped and murdered an Iraqi girl and her family commits suicide; there's a new ash spill in North Carolina; and the Powerball jackpot soars.

Also: A federal appeals panel upholds Wisconsin's voter ID law; dengue fever kills six and infects 20,000 in China; and New Mexico builds a "singing road" to encourage motorists to slow down.

Also: Afghanistan's leader is reportedly seeking a letter from the U.S. on civilian casualties; Iranian nuclear talks open; San Diego's mayoral candidates advance to a runoff to replace Bob Filner; and a pilot who made an emergency landing on the Pennsylvania Turnpike got a $3,000 towing bill.

Also: The next round of Syrian peace talks is set for January in Geneva; members of Congress are divided over the Iran nuclear agreement; a report on last year's Connecticut school shooting will be released; and an Australian family sets a world record using home Christmas lights.

Also: The Senate may take up the unemployment benefit bill today; Macy's is laying off hundreds of workers; warmer weather starts flowing over the U.S., holiday sales were up although there were fewer shoppers; and Danish pastries could be in trouble if Europe limits cinnamon use.

Also: Spanish newspapers allege the NSA eavesdropped on millions of Spanish phone calls; a key computer server fails on the government's health care website; assailants attack Mexican power plants; and the Country Music Hall of Fame inducts Kenny Rogers, Bobby Bare and "Cowboy" Jack Clement.

Also: A report says enrollment in the federal health exchanges is way off what was predicted; Hawaii is poised to approve same-sex marriage; a condemned Ohio murderer wants to donate his organs; and baseball's rookies of the year are announced.