Start your week smart: Crisis at the DOJ, government firings, hostages released, school shooting plot, Ukraine’s future

Could a hit TV show with a catchy theme transform an entire industry? “The Love Boat,” which has been described as “the greatest product placement” ever, is arguably the catalyst for the modern cruising boom and the massive ships that invite you to “come aboard …”

Here’s what else you need to know to Start Your Week Smart.

The weekend that was

• A mass resignation of prosecutors related to the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams has sparked a crisis inside President Donald Trump’s Justice Department. One federal prosecutor resigned in a blistering letter that accused DOJ leaders of looking for a “fool” to dismiss the criminal charges.
• Trump administration officials fired more than 300 staffers at the National Nuclear Security Administration as part of broader Energy Department layoffs. Sources told CNN the officials did not seem to know this agency oversees America’s nuclear weapons. The agency began rescinding the terminations the next morning. Follow live updates.
• Three Israeli hostages were freed from Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees under the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas after a dispute this week threatened to derail the deal. The hostages were released in Khan Younis, southern Gaza in the sixth such exchange under the truce.
• An Indiana teen who had an “obsession” with the school shooter who murdered 17 people exactly seven years ago is accused of plotting another Valentine’s Day massacre, authorities said. Trinity Shockley was charged with conspiracy to commit murder and two terrorism-related charges.
• European leaders are set to hold an emergency summit on Ukraine on Monday amid growing concern that the Trump administration’s push to work with Russia to end the war has left them isolated. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a “once in a generation” moment for national security.

The week ahead

Monday
A glance at most calendars will list February 17, 2025, as Presidents Day. However, the third Monday in February is officially George Washington’s birthday, as designated in the law that specifies holidays for federal employees. So when did Washington’s birthday become Presidents Day, albeit unofficially? We’re glad you asked!

Tuesday
February 18 is the current deadline for Israel and Hezbollah to withdraw from southern Lebanon under the terms of the November ceasefire agreement. The original deadline of January 26 was extended after the Israeli government said some of its forces would remain, blaming Lebanon for failing to uphold its end of the agreement. It remains unclear whether Israel will completely withdraw by the new deadline.

Wednesday
President Trump will reportedly attend a meeting in Miami hosted by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. The meeting comes on the heels of Trump’s signing of an executive order earlier this month directing American officials to set up a sovereign wealth fund in the US — one that potentially could be used to acquire TikTok. Sovereign wealth funds, which are popular in Asian and Middle Eastern countries, are state-owned investment funds that direct their country’s budgets into financial assets such as stocks, bonds and real estate. Trump’s expected presence comes at a time when his plan to redevelop the war-torn Gaza strip into a “Riviera” and resettle its more than 2 million residents has been rejected by many of America’s Arab allies.

Saturday
Do you believe in miracles? Saturday is the 45th anniversary of one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history. On February 22, 1980, the “Miracle on Ice” occurred at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, as the US Olympic hockey team upset the Soviet Union, 4-3. Team USA went on to win the gold medal two days later with a 4-2 victory over Finland.

And while not an official federal holiday, it’s National Margarita Day.

Listen in

One Thing: 🎧 Egg price explanation
In this episode of the “One Thing” podcast, CNN’s Vanessa Yurkevich explains why farmers are calling on President Trump to do more to control a bird flu outbreak that is jacking up the price of eggs. Listen here.

Photos of the week

The Philadelphia Eagles celebrate with the Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Sunday, February 9.

US President Donald Trump is joined by Elon Musk and Musk’s 4-year-old son, X, during a question-and-answer session inside the White House Oval Office on Tuesday, February 11. Musk, the world’s richest man who is now leading a sweeping effort to reshape the federal government, defended his far-reaching moves. “The people voted for major government reform, and that’s what the people are going to get,” he said.

Bedlington terriers are gathered together after competing at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York on Tuesday, February 11.

Rapper Kendrick Lamar performs at the start of the Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans on Sunday, February 9. Lamar is one of hip-hop’s most celebrated artists, and his performance came a week after he won five Grammy Awards, including song and record of the year for his hit “Not Like Us.”

Employees at a poultry store in New York clean cages and take away chickens to be slaughtered on Friday, February 7. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday that the state was temporarily shutting down all live bird markets in New York City and Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk counties after inspectors discovered seven cases of bird flu in poultry.

Pro surfer Ítalo Ferreira competes at the Lexus Pipe Pro event in Oʻahu, Hawaii, on Saturday, February 8.,

Released Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi reacts from behind a window as people greet him at a medical center in Ramat Gan, Israel, on Saturday, February 8. Three Israeli hostages and 183 Palestinian prisoners were freed in the fifth round of exchanges between Israel and Hamas on Saturday. But the gaunt, frail appearance of the released hostages was condemned as “shocking” by Israel.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes fumbles the ball as his arm is hit by the Philadelphia Eagles' Milton Williams in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, February 9. The Eagles forced three Mahomes turnovers in the game.

Ferry boats cross the Bosphorus during a foggy morning in Istanbul on Wednesday, February 12.

Tonic, a Pomeranian, gives a high-five to owner/handler Sonya Ratliffe backstage at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York on Monday, February 10.

Security personnel oversee the arrival of migrants in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Friday, February 7. Last week, the Trump administration began transporting migrants to Guantanamo Bay on US military aircraft, a move that has sparked backlash from immigrant advocates and a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union over migrants’ lack of access to legal representation.

Ukrainian volunteers recover the remains of Russian soldiers on a forested battlefield in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region on Sunday, February 9. It has been nearly three years since Russia invaded Ukraine, and the war continues today.

Thai figure skater Teekhree Silpa-archa performs her short program at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, on Wednesday, February 12.

Lava flows from a fracture on Italy’s Mount Etna volcano on Monday, February 10. Mount Etna is Europe’s tallest and most active volcano.

Firefighters in Guatemala City work at the scene where a bus veered off a bridge and into a ravine on Monday, February 10. At least 54 people were killed.

US President Donald Trump greets Marc Fogel, an American teacher who was detained in Russia for more than three years, at the White House on Tuesday, February 11. The White House secured Fogel’s release in exchange for the release of accused Russian money launderer Alexander Vinnik, a Trump administration source told CNN.

A child displaced by the fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo holds a damaged helmet at a camp in Goma on Tuesday, February 11. Clashes between Congolese forces and a rebel group have left more than 3,000 people dead in less than two weeks, according to the DRC’s government.

Displaced Palestinians wait in line to pass through a security checkpoint at the Netzarim corridor as they make their way to their homes in northern Gaza on Monday, February 10. Israeli military strikes have turned most of Gaza to rubble. According to the UN, some 69% of all structures in the strip have been destroyed or damaged in the past 15 months, with Gaza City the worst hit.

St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk checks Chicago Blackhawks left wing Tyler Bertuzzi during an NHL game in St. Louis on Saturday, February 8.

Emergency workers are seen near the scene where a car drove into a crowd in Munich, Germany, on Thursday, February 13, injuring at least 28 people. The suspect is believed to be a 24-year-old asylum-seeker from Afghanistan, Munich police director Christian Huber told reporters. Bavarian governor Markus Söder said the incident “is suspected to be an attack.”

Pilots with the US Marines fly a helicopter over a Super Bowl-related parade in New Orleans on Saturday, February 8.

PGA Tour golfers Min Woo Lee and Akshay Bhatia lead the crowd in a “Viking thunder clap” on the iconic 16th hole at the WM Phoenix Open on Saturday, February 8.

Ice floats in front of Sermitsiaq Island near Nuuk, Greenland, on Sunday, February 9.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts smiles after his team won Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Sunday, February 9. Hurts threw for two touchdowns and ran for one, and he was later named the game's Most Valuable Player.

People in Aswan, Egypt, carry the coffin of Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV and the spiritual leader of the world’s millions of Ismaili Muslims, on Sunday, February 9. He died February 4 at the age of 88. His son, 53-year-old Rahim Al-Hussaini, was named the Aga Khan V.

A boy cries during a funeral in Santo Domingo Los Ocotes, Guatemala, on Tuesday, February 11. A day earlier, at least 54 people were killed in a bus crash in Guatemala City.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth holds a news conference in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday, February 13, at the end of defense ministers' meetings at NATO headquarters. A day earlier, Hegseth said that the war between Ukraine and Russia “must end” and that Ukraine joining NATO is unrealistic.

Hindu devotees gather beside a fire on Wednesday, February 12, before taking a holy bath at the Hanumante River during the final day of the monthlong Swasthani Brata Katha festival in Bhaktapur, Nepal.

A "seized" sign is placed on a Venezuelan government airplane during a news conference in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Thursday, February 6. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally seized the plane on behalf of the United States. Another Venezuelan plane was seized in September after it was determined that its acquisition was in violation of US sanctions.

This photo, provided by the US Coast Guard on Friday, February 7, shows a small commuter plane that crashed off the coast of western Alaska. Ten people were killed in the crash.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean celebrates after he returned an interception for a touchdown during the second quarter of Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, February 9.

Performers set off fireworks during a parade celebrating the Lantern Festival in Meizhou, China, on Wednesday, February 12. See last week in 40 photos.

The week in 32 photos

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Check out more images from the week that was, curated by CNN Photos.

What’s happening in entertainment

TV and streaming
“Saturday Night Live” celebrates its 50th anniversary with “SNL50: The Anniversary Special,” a three-hour program airing tonight at 8 p.m. ET. Yes, you read that right. Tonight is, in fact, Sunday. Go figure. Here’s how you can watch.

Season 3 of “The White Lotus” returns at 9 p.m. ET tonight with a new all-star cast. Past seasons of the show have been set in Hawaii and Italy, while this season’s action takes place in Thailand. “The White Lotus” airs on HBO and will be available to stream on Max, both of which, like CNN, are part of Warner Bros. Discovery.

In theaters
Opening Friday is “The Monkey,” based on a short story by Stephen King. The film tells the tale of a demonic wind-up toy with a thirst for blood. So, yeah, sweet dreams.

We could go into great detail explaining the plot of “Cleaner,” but let’s keep it simple: It’s “Die Hard” with Daisy Ridley.

What’s happening in sports

At a glance …
The 67th Daytona 500 — aka the “Great American Race” — roars to life at 1:30 p.m. ET on Fox. Here’s what you need to know.

Later in the day, the NBA All-Star Game tips off at 8 p.m. on TNT, which, like CNN, is part of Warner Bros. Discovery. Mac McClung made history in the Slam Dunk contest.

Jannik Sinner, the world’s No. 1 men’s tennis player, accepted a three-month ban to settle a case that has lingered over the sport for months after he twice tested positive for a banned substance.

In an electric hockey showdown at the 4 Nations Face-Off, the United States beat host Canada 3-1 to advance to the championship game.

For more of your favorite sports, head on over to CNN Sports as well as Bleacher Report, which — like CNN — is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.

Quiz time!

Looking for a challenge to start your week? Take CNN’s weekly news quiz to see how much you remember from the week that was! So far, 73% of fellow quiz fans have gotten eight or more questions right. How will you fare?

Play me off …

‘The Love Boat’
Need a refresher on the words to “The Love Boat” theme? Don’t worry — you could say, “We’re expecting you.” (Click here to view)