MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Ernesto Evangelista prefers to pump premium gas into his seven-month-old Nissan Titan, thinking it makes the truck run better. But at a BP station just a few blocks from the sand of Miami Beach, the 33-year-old painter grabbed the handle for the regular, 87-octane gas to …

LOS ANGELES – The son of “The Godfather” creator Mario Puzo sued Paramount Pictures on Wednesday, claiming the studio failed to pay royalties from a 2006 video game based on the book and movie characters. Anthony Puzo of New York claims in a court filing that he represents his father’s …

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine: Strength in numbers There is fresh evidence of recent military successes in Iraq. Cybercast News Service reports that deaths caused by improvised explosive devices or IEDs have plummeted 89 percent since the troop surge reached full force last June. American IED-caused fatalities …

UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. security chief resigned Tuesday over the Dec. 11 Algiers truck bombings after an expert panel found “gaps and weaknesses” in the U.N.’s overall security operations due to cost-cutting. The bombings at U.N. offices and another government building killed 17 U.N. staffers and injured 40 others, …

ATLANTA – It’s the beginning of the summer, and it’s tough to find fresh salsa for our chips and tomatoes for our burgers. But experts say supermarkets and fast food chains that threw out tomatoes suspected in a salmonella outbreak were acting aggressively to protect their customers’ health and avoid …

WASHINGTON – Four of Rep. Frank Wolf’s staff computers were hacked and the Virginia Republican is blaming sources working out of China. Wolf was bringing up a resolution on the House floor on Wednesday to let his colleagues know about the dangers of computers being open to Chinese infiltration. He …

WASHINGTON – The Bush administration is considering setting up a diplomatic outpost in Iran in what would mark a dramatic official U.S. return to the country almost 30 years after the American embassy was overrun and the two nations severed relations. Even as it threatens the Iranian regime with sanctions …

BAGHDAD – A homicide car bomber struck police in the northern city of Mosul on Monday, killing at least seven people and wounding 25. The attacker detonated an explosives-laden car after approaching the checkpoint at the provincial police headquarters in the city’s main commercial district, a police officer said, speaking …

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon said Monday it is charging a Saudi Arabian with “organizing and directing” the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole — and will seek the death penalty. Brig. Gen. Thomas W. Hartmann, legal adviser to the U.S. military tribunal system, said charges are being sworn against Abd …

NEW YORK – Verizon Wireless’ deal to buy Alltel Corp. for $5.9 billion was applauded by investors and should mean a greater range of choices for Alltel subscribers, but some worried that Alltel’s commitment to rural coverage will get lost. Dan Yahro in Bishop, Calif., close to the border with …