She appears to have been treated reasonably well for a captive, but this could mean that her kidnappers wish to distance themselves somewhat from the other groups that have practiced this method of coercion.

She had been photographed with a headcovering on before, while she was doing her job, which only makes sense. As a woman, I would have to conform to certain customs of dress in certain cultures, too, if I wanted to make any headway. For instance, if I wish to visit churches in Spain, I am expected to wear a skirt that falls below the knee. The headcovering is no different.

If her captors have given her clean clothes to wear, if I were her, I'd put them on. If they were showing me some respect, I'd encourage that. It's harder to kill someone who has become a real person rather than just a pawn.

In her statement, she urged that they be given what they want, because time is running out. The time running out is hers. She isn't pleading for them. She is speaking under threat.