The World in Photos This Week

North Korea launches a missile, tragedy strikes Sandy Hook, and a Chinese farmer prepares for the apocalypse.

DECEMBER 14, 2012

Israel has approved the building of 3,000 settler homes in the E1 settlement area. The development, which has been on hold for years due to pressure from the United States and European Union, will close East Jerusalem off from the West Bank. Above is a view of the E1 settlement area taken on Dec. 9 in Maale Adumim, West Bank.

Uriel Sinai/Getty Images