By late 2014 the Muellers knew their daughter was still alive, but things just kept going wrong

Additional support comes from The Voice of the Martyrs. Pastor Richard Wurmbrand was imprisoned a total of 14 years in Communist Romania for his faith in Christ. Upon his release, he and his wife, Sabina, founded The Voice of the Martyrs to help the families of imprisoned Christians in Communist nations and other countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith. Today, VOM works in more than 70 hostile areas and restricted nations. More information is available at vom.org/SaturdaySpecial.

In 2013 the ISIS Beatles were holding Carl and Marsha Mueller’s daughter in Syria, and now the negotiations have begun

Additional support comes from The Voice of the Martyrs. Pastor Richard Wurmbrand was imprisoned a total of 14 years in Communist Romania for his faith in Christ. Upon his release, he and his wife, Sabina, founded The Voice of the Martyrs to help the families of imprisoned Christians in Communist nations and other countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith. Today, VOM works in more than 70 hostile areas and restricted nations. More information is available at vom.org/SaturdaySpecial.

On Culture Friday: John Stonestreet considers what the Lindsay Clancy trial is being made to say about motherhood. The Magic Faraway Tree invites families to rediscover wonder. Plus: theologian and artist Michael Milton shares three books that shaped his calling, and the Friday morning news.

Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.

Additional support comes from Ascend by Unbound. A higher education program focused on practical skill development and career preparation.  beunbound.us/world

From World Watch, a 10-minute daily news program that explores current events for students 5-12th grade. This high-energy show connects learners to the present, history and communities around the world. Join 40,000 Christian families that utilize World Watch as a tool to foster curiosity and have conversations about today’s news as a discipleship rhythm within their families. “Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand!” First time? Take advantage of a 30-days free trial at worldwatch.news/podcast Not ready to sign up? Check out a free episode at https://get.worldwatch.news/free-episode

And from St. Dunstan's Academy, a boarding school launching Fall 2027. Accepting ninth and tenth grade boys. stdunstansacademy.org

Ukraine’s drone war reaches deeper into Russia as faster attacks leave Kyiv residents less time to find shelter. Federal officials investigate questionable billing for transgender procedures on minors, and a longtime music publicist Lance Cowan releases the songs he set aside for his family. Plus: police branch out against distracted driving, David Closson considers how algae acquired a constituency, and the Thursday morning news.

Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.

Additional support comes from St. Dunstan's Academy, a boarding school launching Fall 2027. Accepting ninth and tenth grade boys. stdunstansacademy.org

From Ascend by Unbound. A higher education program focused on practical skill development and career preparation.  beunbound.us/world

And from World Watch, a 10-minute daily news program that explores current events for students 5-12th grade. This high-energy show connects learners to the present, history and communities around the world. Join 40,000 Christian families that utilize World Watch as a tool to foster curiosity and have conversations about today’s news as a discipleship rhythm within their families. “Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand!” First time? Take advantage of a 30-days free trial at worldwatch.news/podcast Not ready to sign up? Check out a free episode at https://get.worldwatch.news/free-episode

Washington Wednesday: Hunter Baker weighs a socialist wave meeting a wall in Florida. Also: Colombia’s new president faces a deadly earthquake three days into office; and Christian actors navigate calling and conviction on Broadway. Plus: goats dodge a bus fare, Cal Thomas remembers Chuck Colson’s prison legacy, and the Wednesday morning news.

Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.

Additional support comes from World Watch, a 10-minute daily news program that explores current events for students 5-12th grade. This high-energy show connects learners to the present, history and communities around the world. Join 40,000 Christian families that utilize World Watch as a tool to foster curiosity and have conversations about today’s news as a discipleship rhythm within their families. “Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand!” First time? Take advantage of a 30-days free trial at worldwatch.news/podcastNot ready to sign up? Check out a free episode at https://get.worldwatch.news/free-episode

From St. Dunstan's Academy. Classical education, building arts, and Christian formation. Real Life, No Screens. stdunstansacademy.org

And from Ascend by Unbound. A higher education program focused on practical skill development and career preparation.  beunbound.us/world

A China expert explains Beijing’s influence infrastructure; a surrogate mother defies intended parents who demanded abortion; and classroom phone bans may leave students still tethered to their devices. Plus: a bear honks for help before chewing up a car’s interior, Tim Mulgrew on Scripture as a living record, Daniel Suhr on the malleable political center, and the Tuesday morning news.

Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.

Additional support comes from Ascend by Unbound. A higher education program focused on practical skill development and career preparation.  beunbound.us/world

From World Watch, a 10-minute daily news program that explores current events for students 5-12th grade. This high-energy show connects learners to the present, history and communities around the world. Join 40,000 Christian families that utilize World Watch as a tool to foster curiosity and have conversations about today’s news as a discipleship rhythm within their families. “Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand!” First time? Take advantage of a 30-days free trial at worldwatch.news/podcast Not ready to sign up? Check out a free episode at https://get.worldwatch.news/free-episode

Legal Docket considers whether the government is assembling the case file before the allegation; David Bahnsen warns the populist right against reaching for the socialist left’s failed economic playbook on Moneybeat; and the WORLD History Book revisits the theft that made the Mona Lisa immortal—plus the Monday morning news.

Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.

Additional support comes from St. Dunstan's Academy. Classical education, building arts, and Christian formation. Real Life, No Screens. stdunstansacademy.org

From Ascend by Unbound. A higher education program focused on practical skill development and career preparation.  beunbound.us/world

And from World Watch, a 10-minute daily news program that explores current events for students 5-12th grade. This high-energy show connects learners to the present, history and communities around the world. Join 40,000 Christian families that utilize World Watch as a tool to foster curiosity and have conversations about today’s news as a discipleship rhythm within their families. “Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand!” First time? Take advantage of a 30-days free trial at worldwatch.news/podcast Not ready to sign up? Check out a free episode at https://get.worldwatch.news/free-episode

Today on Doubletake: the first episode in a three-part series: The kidnapping of Kayla Mueller.

In August of 2013 Carl and Marsha Mueller received a 10-second video in their email. It was of their daughter Kayla, who had disappeared 24 days earlier in Syria. She was thin and dressed in Islamic garb. “I need your help,” she said. “I’ve been here too long, and I’ve been sick.”

The Islamic terror group ISIS had grabbed her, beginning an ordeal for the Muellers that, in a way, still isn’t over.

So today we have a story about courage, and fear, and faith despite hopeless circumstances. It’s also about finding yourself in a position where you’re forced to negotiate. For the highest stakes imaginable: the life of your daughter. With terrorists. With your own government. With yourself. And, ultimately, with God.

Support WORLD News Group at wng.org/donate

Additional support comes from The Voice of the Martyrs, serving persecuted Christians for almost sixty years. Pastor Richard Wurmbrand was imprisoned a total of 14 years in Communist Romania for his faith in Christ. Upon his release, he and his wife, Sabina, founded The Voice of the Martyrs to help the families of imprisoned Christians in Communist nations and other countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith. Today, VOM works in more than 70 hostile areas and restricted nations. More information is available at vom.org/SaturdaySpecial

Culture Friday: John Stonestreet on whether recent wins for whistleblowers and religious liberty add up to real cultural change, two former NBA players pushing the WNBA to define what a “woman” is, and the University of Michigan’s move away from letter grades. Plus, a review of the new Reagan drama The Brink of War, a preview of WORLD’s new Doubletake series on Kayla Mueller, and the Friday morning news.

Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.

Additional support comes from Cedarville University. Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is committed to biblical faithfulness and academic excellence, preparing students to serve Christ with conviction in every profession. Every one of its 175+ undergraduate and graduate programs are grounded in a biblical worldview, equipping graduates with the knowledge, skill, and conviction to serve wherever God leads. New online undergraduate degrees through Cedarville Online offer flexible, affordable education rooted in biblical truth and designed for today's learners. Learn more at cedarville.edu, and explore online programs at cedarville.edu/online.

From Unbound’s Ascend program. Leadership training, like-minded peer community, and career prep for young adults 16 and older. Beunbound.us/world.

And from Covenant College in Georgia. Looking for a Christ-centered education with a deep commitment to academic excellence? Located on top of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Covenant College students thrive in a Christ-centered community and are equipped to pursue their callings through a vibrant liberal arts education. Applications for Fall 2027 are open, and students who visit are eligible to receive a grant of $2,000. More at Covenant.edu/world

Iran's threats force a secret escape for President Trump and bring a wave of cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure, WPATH backtracks on its own standards of care, and Britain's homeless population may be undercounted. Plus, a 102-year-old veteran who isn't ready to slow down, WORLD commentator Janie B. Cheaney on renewal without the church, a snake stowed away in a football helmet, and the Thursday morning news.

Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.

Additional support comes from Covenant College in Georgia. Looking for a Christ-centered education with a deep commitment to academic excellence? Located on top of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Covenant College students thrive in a Christ-centered community and are equipped to pursue their callings through a vibrant liberal arts education. Applications for Fall 2027 are open, and students who visit are eligible to receive a grant of $2,000. More at Covenant.edu/world.

From Unbound’s Ascend program. Leadership training, like-minded peer community, and career prep for young adults 16 and older. Beunbound.us/world.

And from Cedarville University. Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is committed to biblical faithfulness and academic excellence, preparing students to serve Christ with conviction in every profession. Every one of its 175+ undergraduate and graduate programs are grounded in a biblical worldview, equipping graduates with the knowledge, skill, and conviction to serve wherever God leads. New online undergraduate degrees through Cedarville Online offer flexible, affordable education rooted in biblical truth and designed for today's learners. Learn more at cedarville.edu, and explore online programs at cedarville.edu/online.

Washington Wednesday on the rise of democratic socialist candidates, the South Carolina Senate runoff, and Massachusetts's new abortion law. Plus, World Tour on Greenland’s growing strategic importance, a rural Mississippi chess program built by a secret donor, WORLD commentator Cal Thomas on America's stubborn dependence on Middle East oil, a giant bull's brief escape in Alabama, and the Wednesday morning news.

Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.

Additional support comes from Cedarville University. Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is committed to biblical faithfulness and academic excellence, preparing students to serve Christ with conviction in every profession. Every one of its 175+ undergraduate and graduate programs are grounded in a biblical worldview, equipping graduates with the knowledge, skill, and conviction to serve wherever God leads. New online undergraduate degrees through Cedarville Online offer flexible, affordable education rooted in biblical truth and designed for today's learners. Learn more at cedarville.edu, and explore online programs at cedarville.edu/online.

From Unbound’s Ascend program. Leadership training, like-minded peer community, and career prep for young adults 16 and older. Beunbound.us/world.

And from Covenant College in Georgia. Looking for a Christ-centered education with a deep commitment to academic excellence? Located on top of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, Covenant College students thrive in a Christ-centered community and are equipped to pursue their callings through a vibrant liberal arts education. Applications for Fall 2027 are open, and students who visit are eligible to receive a grant of $2,000. More at Covenant.edu/world.