USS BAINBRIDGE, at top, passes through the Suez Canal (Wikipedia).

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States will extend its cease-fire with Iran at the request of Pakistan, according to the Associated Press.

The U.S. continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports and further negotiations with Iran are doubtful because of objections from Tehran.

Trump stated in a social media post that the cease-fire was necessary because there is confusion among the top officials of the Iranian government.

The war has roiled the oil industry and the price of petroleum products for consumers has fluctuated, but mostly increased prices at the gasoline pump. An Iranian official reportedly said “say goodbye to oil production n the Middle East” if area nations allow the U.S. to attack Iran from their countries.

RFK Jr. may not back new policies

ROBERT F. KENNEDY Jr speaking at memorial for Charlie Kirk (Gage Skidmore/WIkipedia).

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, told a committee of the House of Representatives on Tuesday he was unwilling to commit to supporting the vaccination recommendations of President Donald Trump’s nominee Dr. Erica Schwartz, who has supported immunizations.

According to The New York Times, Kennedy said, “I’m not going to make that kind of commitment.” But he did testify that he supported her nomination to the post of leader of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Democrats on the committee sought to tie Kennedy to the worst outbreak in decades of measles in the U.S., but he replied that the outbreak was not confined to America.

Kennedy has been a well-known vaccination skeptic, challenging the safety and necessity of immunization of children.

Gas prices and retail sales rise

The price of gasoline rose in March, pulling up the amount of money spent in retail purchases in the U.S.

According to United Press International, retail sales increased by 1.7 percent last month, as reported by the Department of Commerce. It’s the quickest monthly increase in three years.

Forces influencing the cost of living for Americans include gas station sales – up 15.5 precent from February – and the sale of electronics and building materials, but that’s been “cushioned” by relatively large income tax refunds.

While gasoline spending rose, apparel sales and restaurant dining rose by about 1 percent.

“Gasoline is a thing you love to hate,” said economist Dan North, “because you have to buy it; there’s really no substitute.”

Weather: Play it cool(er)

Spring temperatures in our West Orange County cities cool toward the weekend. The forecast for Wednesday is for a daytime high of 71 with an overnight low of 55 and with clouds in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon. Thursday will see partly cloudy skies and warming temps to 76 (57). Friday is expected to bring mostly cloudy conditions and a cooling trend to 73 (58), followed by a drop all the way to 66 (56) and partly cloudy skies on Saturday.

Great Thoughts

“The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose.”
– Ernie Banks, baseball player

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost over 300 games. Thirty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. And that is why I succeed.”
– Michael Jordan, basketball player saying that failure is part of success.”

“Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend that you do and, at some point, you will.”
– Venus Williams, tennis player.