Munich  - Horst Seehofer, head of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) party, Saturday evening said he had turned down an offer to resign by federal Economics Minister Michael Glos.

Seehofer, who is also prime minister of the southern state of Bavaria, was quoted by a spokesman as having said, "Michael Glos has my trust. I have told Michael Glos by telephone that I am not agreeing to his request."

Seehofer said he would hold "personal talks" with Glos in order to discuss the reasons which the Economics Minister had cited in his letter offering to resign.

Hamburg  - Bundesliga leaders Hoffenheim left it late to snatch a 1-1 draw at bottom club Borussia Moenchengladbach while Hamburg were stunned by a stoppage-time goal as they went down 3-2 at lowly Karlsruhe on Saturday.

With Hertha Berlin also failing to get a win on Friday, the results could benefit champions Bayern Munich who will go second if they beat Borussia Dortmund at home on Sunday.

Willingen, Germany - Favourites Austria took victory in the premiere of the Team Tour event in Willingen Saturday even in the absence of World Cup leader Gregor Schlierenzauer.

The team of Thomas Morgenstern, Markus Eggenhofer, Andreas Kofler and Wolfgang Loitzl amassed a total of 902.9 points to finish just 1.7 points ahead of Norway's Roar Ljoekelsoey, Tom Hilde, Anders Bardal and Anders Jacobsen on 901.2 points.

Finland took third spot with 793.2 points, followed by home nation Germany on 778.7.

Berlin  - In a surprise move, German Economics Minister Michael Glos offered to resign Saturday, less that eight months before the country votes in a general election, sources close to the minister said.

The sources confirmed a report in the newspaper Bild am Sonntag, which said the 64-year-old minister had informed Chancellor Angela Merkel of his intention.

Hamburg  - Bundesliga leaders Hoffenheim snatched a late goal for a 1-1 draw at bottom club Borussia Moenchengladbach while Hamburg threw away a two-goal lead as they went down 3-2 at lowly Karlsruhe on Saturday.

With Hertha Berlin also failing to get a win on Friday, the results could benefit champions Bayern Munich who face Borussia Dortmund at home on Sunday.

Berlin  - German Economics Minister Michael Glos offered to resign Saturday, less that eight months before the country votes in a general election, sources close to the minister said.

The sources confirmed a report in the newspaper Bild am Sonntag, which said the 64-year-old minister had informed Chancellor Angela Merkel of his intention.

Glos is a member of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party of Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU).