Vatican Pope Benedict XVI pledged to work towards Christian unity and dialogue with other faiths as he set out the priorities of his pontificate in his first homily. Vatican Pope Benedict XVI said in his first homily as head of the Roman Catholic Church that his election had taken him by surprise. Vatican Praise and criticism poured in from around the world to the appointment of Pope Benedict XVI, including from world leaders who attended John Paul II's funeral and activists dismayed by his conservative views on issues from sexual morality to the ordination of women. Russia US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, balancing her harsh criticisms of Russia's democratic record, called Moscow a "strategic partner" and urged boosted cooperation on several fronts. Ecuador Ecuador's President Lucio Gutierrez will not step down, a top official said, hours after one person died and almost 100 were injured in Quito in anti-government demonstrations that turned violent. Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said that Japan was still waiting for an apology from China over anti-Japanese protests, saying Japan has voiced regrets over anti-Chinese reprisals. Mideast The Israeli army said it had begun removing equipment from its bases in the occupied Gaza Strip in preparation for the pullout from the territory later this year. Iraq At least two Iraqis were killed in triple blasts in the capital as politicians attempted to end a stalemate over a new government that many fear could play into rebel hands. Warcrimes Former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic is suffering from "dangerously high" blood pressure and faces the risk of a "cardio-vascular attack", according to a medical report read out in court. NKorea South Korea said it opposed referral of North Korea to the UN Security Council despite a sharp escalation in the standoff over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. Iran Iran warned that talks with the European Union could collapse as negotiators met in Geneva to discuss EU demands that the Islamic Republic abandon nuclear fuel work in order to guarantee it will not make atomic weapons.