The Local Germany

Merkel's deputy warns of 'Trumpification' of Middle East relations

Wed, 07 Jun 2017 11:09:35 +0200

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Tuesday accused US President Donald Trump of stirring up conflicts in the Middle East and risking a new arms race as Qatar's neighbours cut ties with Doha.

Minister defends record after doubling of arms exports

Mon, 04 Jul 2016 11:16:10 +0200

The economy minister Sigmar Gabriel on Monday defended his goal to reduce German arms exports despite the industry nearly doubling its business in 2015.

Qatar decision spurs call for IAAF reforms

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 15:20:00 +0100

The honorary president of the German Athletics Federation (DLV) has suggested a reform of the selection process after Qatar was awarded the 2019 world athletics championships last month.

Beckenbauer targeted in Fifa ethics inquiry

Fri, 28 Nov 2014 10:27:00 +0100

German football hero Franz Beckenbauer has been named as one of five Fifa executive committee members being investigated for possible corruption by the football association's ethics board, it was reported on Thursday.

Fifa ethics report 'wrong', investigator says

Thu, 13 Nov 2014 13:17:00 +0100

Michael Garcia, who conducted the inquiry into wrong-doing in the Russian and Qatari World Cup bids, says a report published on Thursday by Fifa is "materially incomplete and erroneous".

Berlin approves arms exports to Arab states

Fri, 03 Oct 2014 13:45:35 +0200

Germany has approved new deliveries of weapons to several Arab countries, including Qatar which had been accused of backing jihadists, according to a newspaper report Thursday.

German Fifa exec: 'Qatar won't host World Cup'

Mon, 22 Sep 2014 17:20:00 +0200

Germany's top Fifa official said on Monday Qatar will not host the 2022 World Cup as planned, due to climate conditions. Qatar's successful bid to host the tournament has been marred by corruption and human rights concerns.

Topless protesters storm talkshow over Qatar 2022

Thu, 12 Dec 2013 12:22:00 +0100

Two topless women stormed the stage of a German talkshow on Wednesday night in protest at the treatment of workers building football facilities for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Qatar in talks to buy 200 German tanks

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 14:47:00 +0200

Qatar is in talks to buy up to 200 German tanks at a cost of around €2 billion – and Chancellor Angela Merkel is in favour, according to a report due to be published in Monday's Der Spiegel magazine.

Löw says winter World Cup in Qatar bad for fans

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:27:00 +0100

Germany coach Joachim Löw said Wednesday he was opposed to playing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar during winter, saying it would be unfair to fans in Europe.

Spain's ACS grabs crucial Hochtief stake

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:33:00 +0100

Spain's biggest public works group ACS said on Tuesday it had succeeded in snapping up more than 30 percent of shares in German rival Hochtief, a key step towards taking overall control.

Qatar eyeing more German investments

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:23:00 +0100

The tiny Gulf state Qatar, already heavily involved in car giant Volkswagen and construction group Hochtief, is eyeing further investments in Germany, Economy and Finance Minister Yussef Hussein Kamal said on Friday.

Hochtief shareholder to sell stake to Spain's ACS

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 14:54:00 +0100

Southeastern Asset Management, an investor in construction group Hochtief, said Thursday it would sell two million shares to ACS of Spain, which has made a bid for the German firm.

Beckenbauer says FIFA damaged by World Cup vote

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:28:00 +0100

Franz Beckenbauer, a member of FIFA's executive committee, said Tuesday he has lost some confidence in football's governing body after Russia and Qatar were awarded the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively.

Hochtief hopes Qatar stake will fend off ACS

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 11:04:00 +0100

German construction group Hochtief, fighting off a hostile bid from Spanish rival ACS, said on Monday that Qatar was acquiring a 9.1-percent stake in the firm following the issue of seven million new shares.

Beckenbauer suggests playing Qatar World Cup in January

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 14:09:00 +0100

German football legend Franz Beckenbauer has suggested that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar be held in January to avoid the searing summer heat in the Persian Gulf country.

Qatar looking to invest more in Germany

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:27:00 +0100

The Gulf emirate of Qatar is looking for more German investment opportunities after becoming the third biggest shareholder in Volkswagen, a top official told the business daily Handelsblatt.

Bahn seals massive deal with Qatar and Bahrain

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:25:00 +0100

German rail operator Deutsche Bahn said on Sunday it had signed a multi-billion-euro contract to build high-speed railway lines and underground transport networks in Qatar and Bahrain.

Deutsche Bahn to seal huge rail deal with Qatar

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:35:00 +0100

German rail operator Deutsche Bahn is set to sign a contract worth "billions of euros" to build railways in Qatar and Bahrain, a spokesman for Deutsche Bahn told AFP on Friday.

Qatar buys into VW

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:48:00 +0200

The Gulf state of Qatar has taken a 6.78-percent stake in Europe's biggest carmaker Volkswagen as part of a plan to take over around 17 percent of the company, Volkswagen said on Friday.