The crippled cruise ship triumph limped towards mobile slower and later than expected, dragged along by four tug boats. Hours into the operation, a tow rope from one of the four tugs snapped. Another exhaustive setback for passengers. For their waiting families, more frustration. Its not a good scenario, but tell us the damn truth for what you know. We havent heard anything truthful yet, to my knowledge. Reporter as the ship crept closer to port, passengers desperation became visible. Signs made from bed sheets read s. O. S. And help us. On board, donna gutsman told us, there is much confusion. Very little has been right on time, or on point. So were having a hard time. Reporter gutzman took these photos showing the improvised tent city earlier this week, where passengers slept on the sun deck after the power went out. Soaked hallways and the plastic bags used in place of toilets. Theres sewer on the floors. Theres peeing and pooping in buckets and putting the bags outside our door. Reporter other photos show passengers in hallways on lower decks and efforts to keep cell phones juiced on limited power. Gutzman says despite it all, passengers are keeping cool heads, no fights, people working together. This is going to be a long day. This is not a process thats going to happen fast. There is no way we can speed up the process sooner. Reporter Customs Officials boarded the troubled ship to try to get the more than 4,000 passengers and crew processed to before they arrive at port to expedite their departure. Carnival has buses to take them to new orleans. As many as 1,500 are reserved. Friday, 20 charter flights will take everyone back to houston. Joe crouch and his friend didnt want to wait. They drove eight hours from texas to pick up their wives. I figure theyve waited in enough lines already and been through enough, it would be a whole lot easier just to jump in the truck and drive eight hours back home. They say its close to the harbor. Reporter Fran Thompson waits too. He drove here from kentucky on valentines day to pick up his wife. He gave her the trip as a gift. This was my wifes first cruise. And i guarantee it will be her last. Reporter on board, there is only one working elevator, so passengers will have to carry off their own luggage. And theres a plan to get the elderly, children and people with special needs off first. There was a woman who had a stroke today on board. The coast guard was able to take her off. But for everyone else, this is going to be a long night and conceivably into the morning before the last person is off. Brian . Hey, janet, while we now know they have rail service to that port, if i remember correctly, this port was built alabama was going to try to make a go of it as a destination port ocean cruising. It hasnt been used like this for a long time, so arent they trying to retrofit everything to take all this many people off . Reporter in just a matter of hours. It hasnt been used for a year, and this will be the biggest ship ever to dock here. So theyve got challenges. And right now they are still inside, trying to get everything ready. They say thats as big a job as docking the ship here tonight. Janet shamlian, mobile, has been on the story since the beginning. Janet, thanks. Now to another big story still developing tonight. A lot of people woke up to this morning the shocking news from south africa. One of the heroes of the Olympic Games in london. Oscar pistorius, the blade runner, who inspired so many people, charged with murder tonight after the death of his girlfriend. Nbcs rehema ellis is here with us in the studio with the latest on this. Rehema, good evening. Good evening, brian. You cannot overstate how significant Oscar Pistorius is to people who will face obstacles and struggle to overcome them. Hes a National Hero in south africa. And thats why todays news is so devastating to so many. And theres the start, in a landbreaking moment. Oscar pistorius marked a stunning achievement at the 2012 london olympics. Oscar pistorius sets on his way in the first round of the 400 meters. Today, the world was stunned again when the superstar athlete was arrested and charged with murder after his girlfriend was found shot at his upscale South African home. At this stage, we can confirm that a young woman did die on the scene of gunshot wounds. Police say there are no other suspects. Neighbors in the Quiet Gated Community reported hearing noise coming from the home earlier in the evening. Hes very well. Obviously emotional, but hes fine, guys. The victim was reeva steenkamp, a law school graduate, and a famous South African model. Hours before the shooting, she tweeted her excitement about valentines day. She loved people. She loved everybody and it was her heart that went out. The applause still rains down on Oscar Pistorius. The story is a story inspired many. Born with a congenital condition, his legs were amputated before his first birthday. He was fitted with prosthetics and started running on the beach right away as he told nbcs mary carillo. I remember saying something to my parents along the lines of my footprints are different. And they said no, theyre just better. He was terrific. So softspoken. It was the thing i noticed about him, even before i noticed that he could do so many things without legs. Very modest, very self effacing. Reporter nbcs Rohit Kachroo is in pretoria. Reporter south africa has one of the highest Violent Crime rates anywhere in the world. And its not unusual for wealthy people to live in homes like these, gated communities with high walls and electric fences. And Oscar Pistorius neighborhood is one of the most secure in pretoria. Still, pistorius is a gun owner. Police report previous incidents of a domestic nature at the home. Tonight, billboards once celebrating the revered athlete are being pulled down. Police have not formally named pistorius as the suspect. Under South African law, they may not do so until the accused appears in court. Oscar pistorius is scheduled to go before a judge tomorrow. Sad story. To wake up to today. Rehema ellis, well stay on it. Thanks. Authorities in Southern California have positively identified the body found in that burnedout cabin in big bear as the ex cop turned cop killer, christopher dorner. They i. D. Ed him with dental records. Dorner was killed in a stand offwith police on tuesday. That chain of events started when the owners of the Mountain Vista resort, karen and jim reynolds, went to get one of their cabins ready for vacationers who were arriving. They found themselves staring down the barrel of a gun and staring at dorner. Dorner tied up the couple, took off in their car, but left behind a cell phone, which they then used to call 911. In washington tonight, republicans in the senate blocked a vote to move along the nomination of former republican senator chuck hagel as secretary of defense. This doesnt stop him. The nomination isnt dead. It is, however, a delaying tactic, as several Senators Press the white house for more information on the attack on the u. S. Consulate in benghazi last september 11th. Well, it may be appropriate timing on this valentines day. A Major Corporate marriage made official. American airlines and usairways are now one giant airline. The largest in all the world. Its a deal designed to pull american out of bankruptcy and make it better able to compete in the big leagues. But what does it mean for all us air travelers . Our report tonight from nbcs tom costello. Reporter since 1934, American Airlines has been a corporate icon. Helping to build new Yorks Laguardia airport, hiring the First Female Airline pilot, the first electronic tickets. Something special in the air reporter but after years of struggle, it surrendered to bankruptcy protection in late 2011. Today, a lifeline in the form of an 11 billion merger with usairways. We will once again be an industry leader, worthy of the name American Airlines. Americas flag carrier. Reporter if approved, the deal would make american the Worlds Largest airline. But after so many mergers in recent years, only four airlines, american, delta, united and southwest, would be left with 70 of the u. S. Market. While airfares havent risen much in recent years, experts warn, less competition could ultimately drive up prices. If youre looking out over the next three or four years of your vacation plans youll average between 5 and 10 airfare increases year over year once you hit 2014. Concerned about the overall number of flights available, the cost of those flights. More and more mergers, prices are worse, choices are less. Doesnt add up. Reporter for now, both usairways and american will continue to fly independently. Passengers will fly the airline on which theyre booked. And until the merger is complete, the frequent flier programs will remain separate. Ultimately, a combined frequent Flyer Program could include tens of millions of people with more destinations to choose from, but all competing for that upgrade or the free trip. Tom costello, nbc news, washington. There is news tonight from the world of science. And this could be a day that lasts in medical history. The fda has approved the firstever artificial, in effect, bionic eye. A prosthesis fitted on a pair of glasses that can bring some sight to those with a specific form of vision loss. We get the story tonight from our chief science correspondent, robert bazell. Reporter it is a dream come true. Restoring at least some sight to the blind. The artificial retina is a tiny camera mounted on glasses that sends electrical signals directly to the brain cells that perceive light. The fda approved it today to treat a condition called retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited disease that strikes 100,000 americans a year, and can lead to total blindness. The artificial retina does not achieve perfect sight, but it does allow blind people to see enough images so they can navigate a room safely and perform other tasks. That would be white. Reporter Kathleen Blake had been totally blind. And was one of the original test subjects. I was able to sort my clothes. Reporter that much of improvement made a big difference. I was able to actually point the moon out in the sky. Reporter for more than 20 years, dr. Mark hyman and his team at the university of Southern California have been working toward this goal. The key of this is not only the hardware, but the software. How do you take an image from a camera and convert it into this neural code, this morse code of the eye . And then stimulate the nerve cells in the retina . Reporter the scientists expect the new vision to improve as the Amazing Technology advances. Correct. Reporter robert bazell, nbc news, new york. The vatican revealed today Pope Benedict fell and cut his head while on a trip to mexico last year. A vatican spokesman insists, the fall had no impact on his overall, larger decision to abdicate. But it is the second time in three days we have learned of a preexisting health issue with the 85yearold pope who on tuesday let it be known he has a pacemaker. He had just had a procedure performed to have the battery changed two months ago. Still ahead, as we continue on this thursday night, a Close Encounter, the likes of which we here on earth have never seen before. Its now just hours away. And later on this valentines day, whats the secret to a long and happy marriage . Some surprising answers tonight from folks who know a thing or two about that. Suppose you to try wearing a helmet tonight, but little any of us can do about it. The planet earth is preparing, nonetheless, for the closest encounter we have had in a long while with a foreign object, a giant astroid that is going to pass very close to our planet. Nbcs Kristen Dahlgren reports on this Close Encounter set for tomorrow. Reporter its the stuff of hollywood blockbusters like deep impact. A massive space rock hurdling toward earth. For an astroid, this is a very close call. Reporter close, as in between the earth and many of its satellites. On friday, the astroid known as 2012 da14, a mass half the size of a football field will pass 17,200 miles above the earth. Traveling about five miles per second. But slow down. Nasa says there is absolutely no danger. Its not going to cause earthquakes, its not going to cause any climate change. Reporter da14 was first discovered by amateur astronomers last february in spain. Since then, nasa has been plotting its path and is certain there will be no impact. Its closest approach expected to be near indonesia at 2 24 p. M. Eastern on friday. Images have already been captured on highpowered telescopes in australia. You wont be able to see it with the naked eye. With research and a decent telescope, you have a shot but your best bet may be to do what a lot of people around here will be doing, monitoring the nasa feed online. As it gets closer, nasas powerful gold stone deep Space Communications complex will be taking radar imagery, research that could help scientists avoid disaster in the future. Back in 1908, a smaller meteor hit in a remote region of siberia, destroying the landscape for hundreds of miles. And scientists blame the dinosaurs demise on a massive astroid. The dinosaurs didnt have a space program. So they couldnt discover astroids and they couldnt do anything about it. Reporter so now nasa says theyll be watching and learning what they can from what is about to be a very close call. Kristen dahlgren, nbc news, pasadena, california. So the experts say go ahead with those plans for the weekend. And were going to take a break. Well be back in a moment with one of the wealthiest men in the world who made an interesting bigname purchase today. A household name among American Consumer products is about to get a new owner who is himself just about a household name these days. Billionaire investor Warren Buffett announced today hes teaming up with a Brazilian Private Equity Firm to buy heinz, the pennsylvaniabased brand name for 23 billion. Buffett already owns dairy queen and a Candy Company and hes famous for his love of cheese burgers. So this purchase kind of made sense to a lot of buffettwatchers. Senator Frank Lautenberg the senior senator from new jersey, a democrat, announced today he will not run again. Lautenberg is a fiveterm senator, the oldest serving senator, 89, and the last remaining world war ii veteran currently in the u. S. Senate. The race for the seat will be closely watched. Newarks mayor cory booker has already filed papers to run for his seat. The president was on the road today. In fact, he was practically on the floor with a bunch of preschoolers. Lots of hugs and highfives in a prek classroom in decatur, georgia. A look under the magnifying glass. One of the 4yearolds asked if he was their teacher. After that got cleared up, there was another reason for his trip. The official business pushing his Early ChildhoodEducation Plan which he highlighted in the state of the union address. Picture of the day from the world of sports comes from the australian womens golf open. Interrupted by a marauding flash mob of kangaroos who suddenly streamed across the fairway. Luckily, they left only their giant footprints behind, and play was resumed. Were back in a moment with what february 14th is supposed to be all about. Finally tonight, if you dont have anything special planned yet, you might find yourself in a little trouble with your valentine. Whether youre among those who enjoy celebrating valentines day or you might think its just a commercial holiday, we nonetheless want to show you some success stories. They began in the New York Times vows columns, where they chronicle selected couples and have every week for 20 years. And nbcs katy tur picks up their stories. Reporter every sunday, in the styles section, vows. Two decades of love and all its trappings. New york times columnist, lois smith brady, has chronicled the i dos from the start. Vows is much more about love than it is about marriage. Reporter just as some love stories start out a little rocky, so did the column. 20 years ago, a reporter going to a wedding was a very unusual thing. And so they thought that sometimes they thought i was going to try to say how drunk everybody got. Reporter suspicions waned and vows took off. Brady saw mark and susan parent marry on a new jersey farm in 1992. College sweethearts, their wedding was less about frills and more about fun. He is still funny. Entertains me. Is a very good father. Very tough to make the same person laugh for 20 years. Reporter they laugh about everything. Even susans wedding dress, which she keeps in their sons closet. It still fits. Well, its tight. But it fits. Reporter for mimi and sheldon tony, also married 20 years, its the little things. He will put gas in my car, which i always think is so romantic. Forget chocolate, i need gas in my car. Reporter it has been 20 years of love and longing. But also some loss. Couples divorced, others passed on. People change. So did the column. The times was among the first major papers to feature samesex marriages. Jeff weinstine and john parolt together 32 years before they finally saw their vows in print. When i saw those pictures, i was so happy to see john and me together in public on a page like that. And we got hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of emails. Reporter after 500 couples, lois smith brady, married 24 years herself, says she knows the secret to staying together. Its not a lot of work. Its pretty easy. And its natural. There are people who fit together. And thats the person you have to go for. Reporter a little love advice for those still searching for their valentine. Katy tur, nbc news, new york. That is our broadcast on this valentines day, 2013. Thank you for being here with us. Im brian williams. And we hope to see you right back here tomorrow evening. Good night. Right now, at 6 00, youre looking at live pictures of a south bay neighborhood, the scene of a deadly double shooting. Thanks for joining us. Im jessica aguirre. Im raj mathai. Police were called to a home on bermuda avenue just before 5 00 this evening right near overfelt high school. We take you back to our nbc chopper above the scene. Police say they found the bodies of a man and a woman inside of a house. Both were shot. Here are some live pictures we mentioned of our helicopter. Its an active crime scene down below with emergency vehicles in front of that house. Police just briefed us on the situation. The male was the suspect in this case. We dont know exactly what the relationship was between the male and the female but we believe they had some type of romantic involvement. Police investigating it as a possible murder suicide. The home where the victims are fleer overfelt high school. School Officials Say the shootings did not impact classes or the students in any way. We do have a crew on the scene on the ground. We will bring you new information as soon as it comes into our newsroom. Unlike anything hes ever received. Thats how San Francisco state senator leland yee is the describing the death threat made against him. That threat led to the arrest of a santa clara man after they found explosive devices in his home. On monday, investigators discovered dangerous materials used to make explosives and detonated them in the front yard of everitt bashhams home. He says he received that threat by maile four weeks ago. The author of that particular email specifically stated that if i did not cease our efforts to deal with gun violence, that he would assassinate me in or around the capitol. Basham is accused of illegally poe seszing a concealed loaded fireman in his car. Today the San Jose Police departments bomb squad use