French manoeuvring in recent weeks blocked Peter Mandelson, the EU trade commissioner, from making sufficient concessions on agricultural protections to satisfy his counterparts in the current Doha round of world-trade negotiations.

ECONOMIST: When growth and social protections clash | The

Mr Sarkozy singled out Peter Mandelson, the EU trade commissioner, for alarming Irish (and French) farmers with talk of cuts to EU tariff barriers.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne

Meanwhile, Dominique Bussereau, the French agriculture minister, has circulated a petition among EU member states calling for Peter Mandelson, the Union's trade commissioner, to hold off on making any concessions until he consults with the national governments.

ECONOMIST: America tries to get things moving | The

Kilmarnock finally threatened in the 27th minute as playmaker Alexei Eremenko played in William Gros with a one-two on the right edge of the box but the French youngster's drive across the target was pushed away by Saints keeper Peter Enckleman.

BBC: Sport - Football - St Johnstone 0-0 Kilmarnock

French Open and Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal will face Jesse Levine after the American qualifier beat Canadian wildcard Peter Polansky 6-2 6-4.

BBC: Djokovic opens defence in style