It’s a mixed bag for Saudi Arabia in the international press this morning.

Leading the conversation: Saudi’s objection to calls for the phasing-out of hydrocarbons in a draft agreement at COP28. European politicians are literally sneering over the pushback from Saudi and Arab producers, with Germany’s climate envoy saying it smacks of “panic” and another diplomat calling it “disgusting.”

The chattering class in England is a tizzy after the Financial Times reported that the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohamed bin Salman pushed back plans to visit London. The postponement came just days before Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in Riyadh. Saudi officials are downplaying the report, while some in the UK are using the delay to make hay at home.

More companies are setting up their regional headquarters in the kingdom, with the latest being asset and wealth manager Northern Trust, which became the one of the first leading global financial institutions to set up its regional HQ in Riyadh, Bloomberg writes.

Surprising nobody, the Guardian is still talking smack about Heathrow and football.

Speaking of sports: There’s speculation that Barcelona’s Marcos Alonso and Liverpool’s MoSalah may be Saudi-bound — and golf’s Jon Rahm is making headlines for “defecting” to PIF-backed Liv Golf. The PGA and European Tour are still in talks with Liv over a merger.

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