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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Plaintiff Francois Ruffin at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Attendees arrive at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Plaintiff Francois Ruffin at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Plaintiff Francois Ruffin at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Attendees arrive at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Plaintiff Francois Ruffin at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Attendees arrive at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Plaintiff Francois Ruffin at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Plaintiff Francois Ruffin at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Plaintiff Francois Ruffin at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Attendees arrive at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Former French intelligence head Bernard Squarcini (C) arrives with his lawyers Patrick Maisonneuve (L) and Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard (R) at the court-house for the opening of his trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Former French intelligence head Bernard Squarcini (C) arrives with his lawyers Patrick Maisonneuve (L) and Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard (R) at the court-house for the opening of his trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Plaintiff Francois Ruffin at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Attendees arrive at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Plaintiff Francois Ruffin at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Former French intelligence head Bernard Squarcini (C) arrives with his lawyers Patrick Maisonneuve (L) and Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard (R) at the court-house for the opening of his trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Former French intelligence head Bernard Squarcini (C) arrives with his lawyers Patrick Maisonneuve (L) and Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard (R) at the court-house for the opening of his trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Plaintiff Francois Ruffin’s lawyer Benjamin Sarfati at the court-house before the opening of the trial against a former French intelligence head and nine others accused of spying on him and his newspaper Fakir for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Plaintiff Francois Ruffin at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Former French intelligence head Bernard Squarcini (C) arrives with his lawyers Patrick Maisonneuve (L) and Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard (R) at the court-house for the opening of his trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Plaintiff Francois Ruffin at the court-house for the opening of Bernard Squarcini trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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French Spy Chief Squarcini On Trial For Alleged Corruption - Paris

Former French intelligence head Bernard Squarcini (C) arrives with his lawyers Patrick Maisonneuve (L) and Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard (R) at the court-house for the opening of his trial in which he is accused with nine others of spying on French newspaper Fakir and its owner for French luxury group LVMH, in Paris, France on November 13, 2024. The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot. While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay € 10 million as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt. Photo by Florian Poitout/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Ex-member of Japanese biological warfare unit in China

Hideo Shimizu (L), a former member of the Imperial Japanese Army's notorious Unit 731, which is thought to have undertaken covert biological and chemical warfare research in China during World War II, speaks to the head (R) of a Chinese exhibition hall on the unit as he visits the former site of its headquarters in Harbin, northeastern China, on Aug. 13, 2024.

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Ex-member of Japanese biological warfare unit in China

Hideo Shimizu (front, L), a former member of the Imperial Japanese Army's notorious Unit 731, which is thought to have undertaken covert biological and chemical warfare research in China during World War II, prays in front of a cenotaph dedicated to peace at the former site of the unit headquarters in Harbin, northeastern China, on Aug. 13, 2024.

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Ex-member of Japanese biological warfare unit in China

Hideo Shimizu, a former member of the Imperial Japanese Army's notorious Unit 731, which is thought to have undertaken covert biological and chemical warfare research in China during World War II, prays in front of a cenotaph dedicated to peace at the former site of the unit headquarters in Harbin, northeastern China, on Aug. 13, 2024.

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Ex-member of Japanese biological warfare unit in China

Hideo Shimizu (2nd from L), a former member of the Imperial Japanese Army's notorious Unit 731, which is thought to have undertaken covert biological and chemical warfare research in China during World War II, prays in front of a cenotaph dedicated to peace at the former site of the unit headquarters in Harbin, northeastern China, on Aug. 13, 2024.

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Ex-member of Japanese biological warfare unit in China

Hideo Shimizu, a former member of the Imperial Japanese Army's notorious Unit 731, which is thought to have undertaken covert biological and chemical warfare research in China during World War II, prays in front of a cenotaph dedicated to peace at the former site of the unit headquarters in Harbin, northeastern China, on Aug. 13, 2024.

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Pyongyang

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photos are displayed of North Korea's December 2012 rocket launch, which was widely seen as a covert test of long-range missile technology, in Pyongyang on March 6, 2013, a day after North Korea threatened to scrap the armistice agreement that ended the 1950-1953 Korean War.

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Pyongyang

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photo taken Jan. 30, 2013, in Pyongyang, North Korea, shows a signboard with a message praising the successful launch of what North Korea claims was a satellite. Many other countries suspect the launch Dec. 12, 2012, was a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea celebrates rocket launch

TOKYO, Japan - A rally is held in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Dec. 14, 2012, to celebrate North Korea's successful launch of an "earth observation satellite" on Dec. 12. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch was a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea celebrates rocket launch

TOKYO, Japan - A rally is held in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Dec. 14, 2012, to celebrate North Korea's successful launch of an "earth observation satellite" on Dec. 12. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch was a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea celebrates rocket launch

PYONGYANG, North Korea - A rally is held in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Dec. 14, 2012, to celebrate North Korea's successful launch of an "earth observation satellite" on Dec. 12. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch was a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea celebrates rocket launch

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Kim Yong Nam (far R), president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea, is seen during a rally in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Dec. 14, 2012, to celebrate North Korea's successful launch of an "earth observation satellite" on Dec. 12. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch was a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea celebrates rocket launch

PYONGYANG, North Korea - People participate in a rally in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Dec. 14, 2012, to celebrate North Korea's successful launch of an "earth observation satellite" on Dec. 12. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch was a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea celebrates rocket launch

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Military personnel applaud in front of a slogan praising North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a rally in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Dec. 14, 2012, to celebrate North Korea's successful launch of an "earth observation satellite" on Dec. 12. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch was a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea celebrates rocket launch

PYONGYANG, North Korea - People applaud at a rally in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Dec. 14, 2012, to celebrate North Korea's successful launch of an "earth observation satellite" on Dec. 12. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch was a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea celebrates rocket launch

PYONGYANG, North Korea - People participate in a rally in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Dec. 14, 2012, to celebrate North Korea's successful launch of an "earth observation satellite" on Dec. 12. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch was a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea launches rocket

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photo of an image on the screen of North Korea's satellite control center shows a rocket, following its launch from the Sohae rocket launching facility in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province, in the northwest of the country, on Dec. 12, 2012. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch is a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea launches rocket

PYONGYANG, North Korea - A screen at North Korea's satellite control center shows a rocket at the Sohae rocket launching facility in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province, in the northwest of the country, on Dec. 12, 2012, which was launched later the same day. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch is a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea launches rocket

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photo of an image on the screen of North Korea's satellite control center shows an image from a rocket which was launched from the Sohae rocket launching facility in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province, in the northwest of the country, on Dec. 12, 2012. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch is a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea launches rocket

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photo of an image on the screen of North Korea's satellite control center shows an image from a rocket which was launched from the Sohae rocket launching facility in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province, in the northwest of the country, on Dec. 12, 2012. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch is a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea launches rocket

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photo of an image on the screen of North Korea's satellite control center shows a rocket, following its launch from the Sohae rocket launching facility in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province, in the northwest of the country, on Dec. 12, 2012. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch is a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea launches rocket

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photo of an image on the screen of North Korea's satellite control center shows a rocket being launched from the Sohae rocket launching facility in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province, in the northwest of the country, on Dec. 12, 2012. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch is a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea launches rocket

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photo of an image on the screen of North Korea's satellite control center shows a rocket being launched from the Sohae rocket launching facility in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province, in the northwest of the country, on Dec. 12, 2012. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch is a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea launches rocket

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photo shows a slogan saying "Great, Prosperous and Powerful Nation," in Pyongyang on Dec. 12, 2012, the same day that North Korea launched a rocket to put an "earth observation satellite" into orbit. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch was a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea launches rocket

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda answers reporters' questions in Tokyo on Dec. 12, 2012, after North Korea launched a rocket. The rocket flew over Okinawa in southwestern Japan. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch was a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea launches rocket

PYONGYANG, North Korea - A citizen walks past portraits of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung and former leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang on Dec. 12, 2012, the same day that North Korea launched a rocket. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch was a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea launches rocket

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Photo shows a slogan saying "Advance to the Final Victory," in Pyongyang on Dec. 12, 2012, the same day that North Korea launched a rocket to put an "earth observation satellite" into orbit. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch was a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

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N. Korea launches rocket

ISHIGAKI, Japan - The muzzle of a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 battery is lowered to the deck of a vehicle on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture, on Dec. 12, 2012, after North Korea launched a rocket. The rocket flew over the island prefecture in southwestern Japan. Japan, the United States and other countries suspect the launch was a covert test of long-range missile technology in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.