Climate of Complete Certainty  —  This is Bret Stephens's first column.  —  When someone is honestly 55 percent right, that's very good and there's no use wrangling.  And if someone is 60 percent right, it's wonderful, it's great luck, and let him thank God.  —  But what's to be said about 75 percent right?

Trump team did background check on Flynn, knew of Turkey ties: report … The White House and President Trump's transition team reportedly did a background check on former national security adviser Michael Flynn in addition to his already approved security clearance, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow reported Friday evening.

Live North Korea ‘tests ballistic missile’ amid reports Pyongyang stating war ‘imminent’  —  Yonhap news agency said the missile appeared to have blown up a few seconds into flight.  —  US President Donald Trump told Reuters in an interview on Thursday a “major, major conflict” …

Trump signs one-week funding bill to avoid shutdown  —  President Trump has signed a stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown, the White House announced Friday evening.  —  The measure funds the government through May 5, giving lawmakers more time to reach an agreement …

I Worked at Fyre Festival.  It Was Always Going to Be a Disaster.  —  In early March, a friend of mine texted me to ask if I wanted to be a talent producer for the Fyre Festival.  I'd never heard of it, but the gig involved going to the Bahamas and being paid extremely well.  So I said yes and packed my bags.

Conservative Radio Host Hugh Hewitt in Talks for MSNBC Show, Sources Say  —  MSNBC is in talks with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt about creating a show for him on weekend evenings, four well-placed sources at the network tell Daily Intelligencer.  Initially MSNBC was keen on having Hewitt host …

Trump's mad dash to 100 days  —  President Donald Trump has dismissed the idea of measuring the success of his first 100 days in office as “ridiculous.”  But the president and his top officials have made a number of startling moves this week with the deadline in mind, and Trump has privately obsessed …

EPA website removes climate science site from public view after two decades  —  The Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday evening its website would be “undergoing changes” to better represent the new direction the agency is taking, triggering the removal of several agency websites …

On Long Island, Sessions Vows to Eradicate MS-13 Gang  —  CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — The attorney general of the United States, Jeff Sessions, came on Friday to this Long Island area besieged by the transnational gang known as MS-13, and in a 20-minute speech to local police commissioners …

UK was given details of alleged contacts between Trump campaign and Moscow  —  In December the UK government was given reports by former MI6 officer Christopher Steele on possible collusion between Trump camp and the Kremlin  —  The UK government was given details last December …

John Waters, in town and in rare form, as usual  —  John Waters will be talking about his new book, “Make Trouble,” and other things during a Sunday stop at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago.  (Stephen Maturen photo)  —  An icon not only of the shock and trash cinema that marked the beginning …

Baltimore prosecutors told to consider consequences for prosecuting illegal immigrants for minor crimes  —  Chief Deputy State's Attorney Michael Schatzow.  —  The Baltimore State's Attorney's Office has instructed prosecutors to think twice before charging illegal immigrants with minor …

Former Director of Anti-Immigration Group Set to Be Named Ombudsman at U.S. Immigration Agency  —  As FAIR official, Julie Kirchner advocated harsh restrictions on immigrants.  Now her job is to provide them assistance.  —  A former director of an anti-immigration group, Julie Kirchner …

President Trump's First 100 Days … In his first 100 days, President Donald J. Trump has taken bold action to restore prosperity, keep Americans safe and secure, and hold government accountable.  At an historic pace, this President has enacted more legislation and signed more executive orders …

Man vandalizes three Rodeo Drive boutiques by driving Mercedes into them, police say  —  Police believe a Mercedes was used to commit vandalism on Rodeo Drive, shattering storefront windows at three boutiques.  (Mapzen, OpenStreetMap)  —  Police are searching for a man believed …