* Ms Merkel meets Mr Abbas in her office
* Plans for stiff cash fines for anti-smoking offences
* Federal States agree on smoking-ban for eateries
* Mixa stands by controversial statements
* Airbus: Merkel and Chirac want fair distribution of burdens and chances
* Alcatel-Lucent to axe 450 jobs in Stuttgart
* IFO Business Climate Index weakens slightly in February
* Car manufacturers miss climate targets
* Kircheisen wins bronze at Ski World Championship
* Exchange Rates and Stock Markets

- Ms Merkel meets Mr Abbas in her office

Chancellor Merkel has appealed to Palestine President Abbas to release
Israeli soldier Schalit - previously abducted by the Hamas group.
After their meeting in Berlin, the next step could be a swap of
prisoners. Ms Merkel acknowledged Mr Abbas' peace efforts, though the
goal of two independent nations could still be a long way off. Mr Abbas
said that he hoped peace negotiations would start soon. He, however,
would not be drawn on the question if Hamas would recognise (the state
of) Israel.