Cairo - Six Belgian tourists and three Egyptians were killed and another 29 people were injured when a tourist bus overturned in Egypt's southern Aswan region, officials said Friday.

Brussels - The head of the European Commission on Wednesday urged member states to work together to protect jobs and industry rather than be tempted by "populist" and "protectionist" measures.

"The global financial crisis is not an excuse for protectionism: trade barriers ship out prosperity and open the gates instead to short-term economic populism," said Jose Manuel Barroso.

In other words: "yes to proactivism, but no to protectionism," the commission chief said.

While Barroso's words were directed indiscriminately at all world governments, the underlying message was set to resonate strongly in those European capitals that are facing mounting requests for support from their national industries.

Brussels - Belgian insurance and banking giant KBC joined the country's bail-out club Monday by securing a capital injection of billions of euros from the state.

"KBC and the Belgian government have reached an agreement to further strengthen KBC's financial position. This will create an additional core capital buffer for KBC and enable it to cope with any future challenges," the company said in a statement.

The deal involves KBC selling 3.5 billion euros (4.3 billion dollars) worth of non-voting shares to the Belgian state.

Mons, Belgium - Three NATO warships have reached the coast of Somalia and are ready to defend United Nations vessels from possible attacks by pirates, the alliance confirmed Friday.

Italy's ITS Durand de la Penne, Greece's HS Themistokles and Britain's HMS Cumberland were to begin escorting World Food Programme (WFP) vessels carrying food aid to Africa.

Brussels - Grey office blocks and European Union civil servants - that's the common image of Brussels.

But behind this cliché lurks a colourful scene waiting to be discovered especially for followers of fashion. A walk through downtown Brussels reveals a palette that reaches from chic boutiques to shrill trendy shops.

"Most people think of fashion only in terms of haute couture from Paris or London, but Brussels is right at their doorstep," said Anne Weger of Belgium's tourist bureau in Cologne.