WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican victories in the New Jersey and Virginia governors races could be a troubling political development for President Barack Obama and the Democratic party. Independents who swept Obama to a historic 2008 victory broke big for Republicans in those races yesterday, a year ahead of an important midterm election.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — More than a century of Republican domination of northern New York's 23rd Congressional District has dissolved in a GOP split over party control. Democrat Bill Owens, a lawyer and retired Air Force Captain, won the special House election. And in New York City, Michael Bloomberg gets to be mayor again, but the race was closer than expected after he bucked term limits.

JERUSALEM (AP) — An arms ship that reportedly originated in Iran has been intercepted by Israel and towed to an Israeli port. Israeli naval commandos seized the ship near Cyprus early today. Military officials told The Associated Press that the arms cache included various missiles, including anti-tank missiles. Officials say the vessel was disguised as an aid boat.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian security forces have clashed with anti-government marchers on the anniversary of the 1979 U.S. embassy seizure. Authorities used batons and tear gas to break up the gathering, not far from where state-sanctioned rallies marked the date.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The year since the 2008 election has been a dose of reality for President Barack Obama. His promises of a new, post-partisan Washington have proven easier to imagine than accomplish. Polls also indicate Americans are not giving Obama much credit for a slowly improving economy.