WAR CASUALTY This undated handout file photo obtained on Friday, courtesy of the Mueller family and the office of US Senator John McCain shows 26-year-old Kayla Jean Mueller. AFP PHOTO
WASHINGTON D.C.: President Barack Obama on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) confirmed the death of US hostage Kayla Mueller, as warplanes from Gulf ally the United Arab Emirates rejoined the battle against her captors from the Islamic State (IS) group.