Tonight we remember former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who died today at the age of 96. The former First Lady passed away peacefully this afternoon, surrounded by family. She was President Jimmy Carter's lifelong love and his closest advisor inside and outside the White House. Tonight, the impact she had on this country and the tributes from across the world. Also breaking the US says a deal to release dozens of hostages held by Hamas may soon be possible. We are closer than we have been in quite some time. Plus, Israel releasing video of what it says shows Hamas taking hostages to the main hospital in Gaza back on October seventh. While today, dozens of premature babies were evacuated from that same hospital. A nasty storm set to sweep across much of the country and scramble holiday travel plans what you need to know. Inside the US Air Force Base, where drones carrying weapons are controlled, rare access to pilots who direct deadly drones like these from half a world away. You don't need to wait until Black Friday, the new numbers just in, why retailers are already slashing prices.

This is BBC Nightly News with Kate Snow.

Good evening. Rosalynn Carter was a first lady, an advocate, a humanitarian for nearly 80 years. She was by President Jimmy Carter's side. She was his advisor, his defender, and the love of his life. Rosalynn Carter passed away today at the age of 96. The Carter Center, which she helped create with the former President, said she died peacefully with family by her side. She had redefined what it meant to be a first lady, becoming a champion for mental health and women's rights. She did not shy away from politics or world affairs. And like her husband, a lot of the important work she did came after the White House. We're going to take a look back on their long love story later in the broadcast. But we begin tonight with Kelly O'Donnell on her life, her legacy, and the tributes tonight.

The long and consequential life of Rosalyn Carter ended today where it began, at home in Plains Georgia, with family by her side. She had entered home hospice care Friday, and when she passed away this afternoon, President Carter shared this, Rosalyn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalyn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me. At age 99, President Carter has been in home hospice care for nine months. Their last public appearance was in September, and a surprise. One last ride in the Plains peanut festival.

The day she was put in hospice, I was on the phone with the family, and I was speaking to her grandson, and the family was just showing up.

Today in Norfolk, with military families, first Lady Jill Biden.

She was well-known for her efforts.

On.

Mental health and caregiving, and.

Women's rights. It's now my pleasure to introduce someone whom I love, and respect, and cherish: my wife, Roslyn.

Their marriage spanned longer than any other first couple, more than 77 years. But more than time, they shared their life's work, values, and remarkably, their childhoods, too. She was born Eleanor Rosalind Smith, a neighbor to the Carter's.

I was shy and found out that he was so easy to talk to, and we just hit it off really well. I think I was already in love with him.

A proud Navy wife, when they married in 1946. Later, she helped manage the family peanut business and community ties that led to politics. First elected Georgia governor in 1970, Rosalind brought her enthusiasm to an improbable campaign.

Then people got to know him, and when they know him, they vote boy. Thank you both very much. She's completely objective and unbiased. I love politics.

A small town girl who was at ease on the national stage and comfortable asserting her influence.

I was involved with the selection of Vice President.

She attended cabinet meetings, developed her own policy issues, including mental health, and in a rare move, testified before Congress.

I am here as a concerned citizen.

A self-made diplomat, acting as a personal emissary of the President in Latin America and Asia.

I think that I am the person closest to the President of the United States, and if I can help him in understanding the countries of the world, then that's what I intend to do.

The Carters were, of course, tested by defeat. When a difficult economy and the Iran hostage crisis led to a bitter loss against Ronald Reagan in 1980. Disappointment opened new doors. The creation of the Carter Center, where they extended their public service, committed to human rights, global health, and building homes with habitat for humanity. In 1999, they were each awarded the presidential Medal of freedom.

I think now is one of the happiest times of my life. There is life after the White House.

Fiercely devoted, she bristled when I asked if she felt vindicated by the years of praise for her husband's work after the White House.

It irritates me when people say he's been a good formal person. He was a good President. I don't worry about his place in history.

And now her place is secure as well. Mother of four grandmother and great-grandmother, a first Lady, Rosalynn Carter, served others with modesty, grit, and charm.

And Kelly joins us now from the White House, a beautiful tribute. Kelly, we're receiving so many tributes to the former First Lady tonight.

That's right, Kate. Former presidents, Clinton and Bush called her a champion for human dignity and an example of loyalty and fidelity. Her son, Ship Carter, said she will not only be sorely missed by their family, but also countless Americans whose lives have been made better through her work. Kate.

Kelly O'Donnell, thank you. To the Middle East now, there are several important developments in the Israel-Hamas war tonight, including the strongest language yet from US officials indicating a deal to release dozens of hostages being held by Hamas may be on the verge of happening. Aaron McLauchlin reports from Tel Aviv.

Tonight, new hope for a deal to release potentially dozens of hostages.

I believe we are closer than we have been in.

Quite some time. Deputy National Security Advisor John Feiner, telling Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker, that negotiations include a multi-day stop in the fighting.

Executing the deal would involve moving hostages.

Around what is a.

Very dangerous battlefield in Gaza, but it would also have the ancillary benefit, the important benefit of making it easier to distribute humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.

That news comes to night as the Israeli military released this footage, claiming to show the desperate moments, terrorists took two hostages into Al-Shifah hospital. One by stretcher, the other dragged in. On the morning of the October seventh attacks, what happened next? We don't know. But the Israelis alleged this footage shows a tunnel stretching more than 30 feet beneath the hospital complex, leading to this blast door, which the Israeli military says it has yet to open. Bbc News has been unable to verify the claims that are part of the growing evidence, the Israelis alleged, the Moss has been exploiting the Al-Shifah Hospital for cover. Tonight, the World Health Organization says that same hospital is now a death zone, having been surrounded and cut off by Israeli forces for nearly two weeks. Today, they evacuated 31 premature babies, once given days to live in Al-Shifah, now being treated down south. Though some of the babies didn't survive the trip.

As soon as we arrived there, unfortunately, two newborn babies were declared dead.

This weekend, the WHO and other aid groups visited the embattled hospital, noting the desperate conditions inside and the mass grave out front. The UN, with this message for the hospital staff who risked everything.

That you continue to deliver the best possible.

Care for your patients and.

Their families is nothing short of heroic.

This is thousands of Kazans flee the continued violence in the north any way they can. But with the Israeli military increasing the pace of its assault on Hamas to the south, tonight in Gaza, there's growing fear. There's nowhere left to go.

Back now with Aaron, and Aaron, not everyone has been evacuated from Al-Shifah Hospital. How many patients still remain?

Kate, the WHO says 250 patients and 20 medical staff are still waiting to be evacuated, likely to hospitals already overstretched in the south. Kate, Aaron.

Aaron McLauchlin, thank you. Back here in the US, we're tracking a major storm that is on the move and could be a nightmare for the busy holiday travel week. Wnbc meteorologist Matt Brickman joins me. And Matt, this is going to impact some major airline hubs.

Yeah, we are talking rain, wind, maybe even some severe weather as well. Right now that system moving into the Great Lakes, but let's focus on the Gulf Coast states as we get into Monday afternoon, evening, and the chance of severe weather, specifically across parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, where we could see large and damaging tornadoes on Monday. By Tuesday, that storm pushes east, bringing with it heavy rain and powerful wind for the Atlantic Seaboard there. And you're going to see potentially travel delays from Charlotte up through into the New York area by Tuesday night. Heavy rain and wind drive farther into New England with colder air wrapping in as well, and that could lead to significant snow for parts of New England. Look at this, into Maine, up to 10 inches of snow for the day before Thanksgiving. So we were talking about Thanksgiving, not Christmas, and we could have real snow on the.

Ground, Kate. That's something. Matt, Rickman, thank you so much. There is a weather catastrophe unfolding in the Dominican Republic right now. It's been hit with a violent storm, flooding streets and pushing cars through the rushing water. At least 20 people have been reported killed, including several trapped under a highway tunnel that collapsed. More rain is expected for the region tomorrow. Now to politics and a powerful endorsement for former President Donald Trump. Today, Texas Governor Greg Abb announced his support for Trump in the 2024 race. The pair met in South Texas today, as Mr. Trump campaigned near the US-Mexico border and outlined his immigration policies. Today, a new BBC news poll shows Donald Trump leading President Biden, 46% to 44%. That's the first time our polling has shown former President Trump leading, but the two-point lead is well within the poll's margin of error. We have new numbers in tonight on just how many deals might be available for holiday shoppers this year. Those traditional Black Friday deals arriving earlier than ever, and the discounts even deeper than years past. Priscilla Thompson has the details.

The turkey hasn't even been carved, but holiday shoppers are on the hunt for deals, and they're finding lots of them. Holiday shopping. How's it.

Going this year? It's going really well, clearly. I have lots of goodies right now.

I feel like.

I beat the rush.

And I'm really prepared for.

Christmas this year. Black Friday starts today at Target on Wednesday at Walmart, and Amazon launched their deals last week. Already, pre-Black Friday discounts have been far higher this October than in years past, with discounts on average as high as 24 % on everything from apparel to electronics, toys, and beauty, according to a global data analysis of US retailers. Experts say inflation is a big reason why.

Retailers are definitely concerned about the consumer in general. They know that they are dealing with a very price-conscious consumer, and they're only opening up their.

Wallets if.

They feel like they are enticed with a really good promotion.

Or a discount.

Online sales grew nearly six % last month compared to last year, according to Adobe Analytics data, thanks in part to buy now, pay later purchases. And for now, more good news for customers as discounts are expected to get even deeper on Black Friday through Cyber Monday. Are you going to shop online this weekend?

Yes, absolutely. It's way easier. I get to sit my PJs at.

Home than I just thought. Priscilla Thompson, NBC News, Houston.

We're back in a moment for a rare inside look at the high tech US military drone mission, helping search for hostages kidnapped by Hamas. We're back with a rare look inside one of the more secretive American military programs. Air Force drones fly over war zones, tracking and sometimes killing people, considered enemies of the US. Now they're helping to find hostages inside Gaza. Our Dana Griffin went inside the Air Force Base where pilots control the drones from half a world away.

High above the battlefield of Gaza, unarmed US drones like this are using powerful cameras to search for hundreds of hostages held by Hamas. This critical mission is operated thousands of miles away at Creek Air Force Base in the Nevada Desert, the secretive epicenter of U. S. Drone operations. Those drones, known as MQ-9 Reapers, are controlled from inside these cramped mobile containers. Pilates and their crews, known as the work in eight hour shifts, twenty four seven, flying Reapers around the world. We can't show you the exact lens on this reaper because it is considered a military secret. But it is one of the most valuable aspects of this airplane because it can collect data from a forest fire or pinpoint a high value target. All of it beamed back live by military satellites right here. For safety concerns, this pilot has asked us not to use her full name.

So we have two different.

Cameras that we operate out of. On those monitors, she sees what the drone sees. She uses the joystick to take off and steer the drone.

The aircraft is sending data back here, which is why we're able to see in real time what the aircraft is displaying in terms of altitude and airspeed.

This is the view from four miles above. Just because.

We're so high up, even if we were directly over the target straight up, they would not be able to detect us.

And how long could you be surveilling someone?

Days, weeks, months, sometimes years, depending on the thread and who the target is.

And these drones can be lethal. The US military does not report drone casualties, but the Bureau of investigative journalism estimates from 2002 to 2020, US strikes have killed up to 17,000 people. And there are errors like this strike in 2021 that ripped into a suspected target in Afghanistan, killing 10 civilians, including children, according to The New York Times.

We're watching a lot of these targets. We watched them do horrendous acts against people. We focus more on the mission aspect of it in our why and really just look at the big picture of the impact.

We are having. Three years ago, a non-partisan government report found mental and physical health problems for the pilots due to their stressful jobs. The Air Force responded by adding more mental health resources.

It's about reminding them that it's okay if you can't focus and to take time to heal and.

Be with your family.

And the Air Force added more staffing to shorten flight times. There are now a thousand pilots here who trained on simulators like this.

You really have to rely on the data that the aircraft is.

Giving you. They walked me through how to fly and arm a drone and launch a Hellfire missile. Oh, there it is. Since the October seventh attack on Israel, drones have been flying over Gaza. Their mission: look for hostages. We spoke with Colonel Nicholas Peterson before that mission was confirmed.

If we get tasked.

For that type of mission.

We will be standing by. I think it could play a critical role if we get to that area.

A critical role in another mission fought from these small rooms halfway across the world. Dana Griffin, Creek Air Force Base, Nevada.

When we come back, the love story between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. Finally, tonight, as we remember Rosalynn Carter, we take a look back at her legendary love story with the former President, going back more than 75 years. Here's Andrea Mitchell.

It was a love story now spanning more than seven decades. Former President, Jimmy Carter and first Lady, Rosalynn Carter, already the longest married first couple, surpassed 75 years of marriage two years ago and celebrated. 75 years, I can't believe. Both growing up in Plains, Georgia, the Carters went on their first date back in 1945, though Rosalynn initially rejected his first proposal. The couple tied the knot on July seventh, 1946. Their love has seen them through raising four children, a presidential term, running the family peanut farm, humanitarian work around the world, and a cancer diagnosis. They've even gone from sharing a kiss on the presidential debate stage to a smooch on the Kiss Cam at a 2019 NBA game. The relationship hasn't been without tribulations, though, the couple reflecting on writing a book together on today. We really did have a terrible time writing the book. We thought perhaps the last chapter would be about our divorce. The 39th President also sharing this marriage advice with Judy Woodrow on CBS. We make up and give each other a kiss before we go to sleep. The Carters celebrated the Milestone anniversary two years ago, together in their hometown of Plains, Georgia.

And to my wife, Rosan, I wanted to express a particular gratitude. It has been a really wonderful 75 years. Andrea Mitchell, BBC News, Washington.

What a beautiful partnership. That is BBC Nightly News for this Sunday night. I'm Kate Snow for all of us here at BBC News. Stay safe. Have a great night. Thanks for watching. Stay updated about.

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