Kevin Rudd in leadership rift with Prime Minister Julia Gillard
(AP) - Australia's foreign minister resigned today in a bitter rift with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who may poll party lawmakers next week on who should lead the country. Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced his resignation during a news conference in Washington, where he was visiting on official business, and he said the relentless speculation that he planned to seize power from Gillard had become a distraction. "I can only serve as foreign minister if I have the confidence of Prime Minister Gillard and her senior ministers," Rudd said. More»