It is the 45th of 72 solar eclipses of Solar Saros 133. November 14–21 – Israel launches Operation Pillar of Defense against the Palestinian-governed Gaza Strip, killing Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari. In the following week 140 Palestinians and five Israelis are killed in an ensuing cycle of violence. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is announced by Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after the week-long escalation in hostilities in Southern Israel and the Gaza Strip. November 25–December 9 – Typhoon Bopha, known as "Pablo" in the Philippines, kills at least 1,067 with around 838 people missing. The typhoon causes considerable damage in the island of Mindanao. November 29 – The UN General Assembly approves a motion granting Palestine non-member observer state status. December December 6 – The U.S. state of Washington becomes the first jurisdiction in the modern world officially to legalize the possession of cannabis for personal use. December 8 – The UN Climate Change Conference in Qatar agrees to extend the Kyoto Protocol until 2020. December 12 – North Korea successfully launches satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 Unit 2. December 12 is the last time in the 21st century that the month, day and final two digits of the year are the exact same (12/12/12). The next time this will happen will be on New Year’s Day in 2101 (01/01/01). December 14 – Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting: Twenty-eight people, including the gunman, are killed in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. December 16 – The Sport Club Corinthians Paulista wins FIFA Club World Cup against Chelsea in Yokohama December 17 – Spanish bank Grupo Santander announces the acquisition of the remaining 10% of Banesto it did not yet own, effectively absorbing it into Banco Santander. December 18 – At least 55 people drown after an overcrowded boat capsizes off the coast of Somalia. December 21 – 2012 phenomenon: End of 13th b'ak'tun in the Mayan calendar, supposed end of the world according to new age beliefs. Festivities took place to commemorate the event in the countries that were part of the Maya civilization (Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador), with main events at Chichén Itzá in Mexico and Tikal in Guatemala. Births January 7 – Blue Ivy Carter, American singer January 24 – Princess Athena of Denmark February 23 – Princess Estelle, Duchess of Östergötland Deaths January January 1 Bob Anderson, English fencer (b.