This week saw the unfortunate death by beheading of yet another Islamic State hostage, Kenji Goto, from Japan. (Photo: AP)
Hamas is an offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood which the authorities have also declared a terrorist group and have repressed systematically since the army ousted one of its leaders, Mohammed Morsi, from the presidency in 2013. (Photo: AP)
An Egyptian court banned the armed wing of the Palestinian group Hamas and listed it as a terrorist organization. (Photo: AFP)
Once the satellite reaches the desired orbit 430 miles (692 kilometers) high, engineers will spend two weeks checking out the two instruments, which will measure moisture in the soil every several days to produce high-resolution global maps. (Photo
The Delta 2 rocket carrying the Soil Moisture Active Passive - or SMAP - satellite launched shortly before sunrise from Vandenberg Air Force Base on California's central coast. (Photo: AP)
Meanwhile, a NASA satellite lifted off on early Saturday with the hope it will transmit data that will help the world do a better job of preparing for floods and droughts. (Photo: AP)
The mother of Kenji Goto said that she "can't find the words" to describe the death of her son (Photo: AP)
Japanese media quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Yasuhide Nakayama as saying that negotiations with the militant group were "deadlocked". (Photo: AP)
A visibly upset Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday vowed to "never forgive terrorists" after the Islamic State group released a video purportedly showing the beheading of hostage Kenji Goto. (Photo: AP)