Politics

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has launched his first critical ad against challenger Dave Spence, citing the businessman's role in a financially troubled bank.

The TV ad that began airing statewide Thursday from the Democratic governor notes that his Republican challenger was on the board of directors of Reliance Bancshares when it decided in early 2011 to forgo repaying a $40 million bailout from the federal government.

Missouri Rep. Todd Akin says the U.S. should suspend aid to Egypt because of the attack on the U.S. embassy and the repeated burning of American flags by Egyptians.

Akin said in a statement Thursday that the fact that the embassy attack occurred on Sept. 11 suggests it was planned and not spontaneous. He said if Egypt were a good ally, it should have better protected the U.S. embassy.

Akin said U.S. aid to Egypt should be suspended "until the Egyptian government takes corrective action to restore its relationship with the United States."