World leaders reflect on 2017, look to 2018

In her end-of-year statement, German Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledged the country's political fragmentation and a "rift" running through society. She promised to quickly form a stable government, create new jobs, support research and innovative technologies and hold the soon-to-be 27-member European Union (EU) together.

President Emmanuel Macron asked French citizens in his televised address to support his ambitions for reforming the European Union (EU) and said a "conquering French spirit" would help lead to a new "French renaissance" in 2018. "I need your determination to enact this European awakening," he said. "We have to rediscover a European ambition."

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in his speech that the "world has gone in reverse," a reference to his 2017 appeal for peace. For 2018, Guterres said he was issuing "an alert — a red alert" for the world to combat deepening conflict, an increasing anxiety regarding nuclear weapons, climate change, inequality, human rights violations and rising xenophobia.

Embattled President Jacob Zuma acknowledged a "turbulent 2017" in his new year's speech, according to South Africa's eNCA. The country's economy shrank, while unemployment remained high. The president said not all was bad, stressing improvements in housing, health care and education. He said South Africans must remember former President Nelson Mandela in 2018 and "promote unity and togetherness."

British Prime Minister Theresa May said 2017 had been "a year of progress" for Britain as it negotiates its exit from the EU. She promised to deliver a "successful" Brexit, strengthen the economy and build a "fairer society for everyone" over the next year. "I believe 2018 can be a year of renewed confidence and pride in our country," she said.

In a short video released on Friday, Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said his country's 2017 had been the "year of results and delivery." The country created 1,000 new jobs a day, enacted same-sex marriage, and had record investments in education, health, energy and infrastructure. He promised his administration "will continue to build a stronger economy and create more jobs" in 2018.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy promised to take his country off the EU's red list of budgetary sinners next year. The political crisis in Catalonia has left Spain without a budget for 2018, which is crucial to keeping its promises made to Brussels. Rajoy will also have to deal with the aftermath of a recent election in Catalonia that saw support for separatist parties.

Pope Francis said 2017 had been given "whole and sound" by God, but that "we humans in so many ways ruined it and hurt it with works of death, with lies and injustices." Speaking at a New Year's Eve prayer service in St Peter's Basilica on Sunday, he was nonetheless optimistic for 2018. He said "gratitude prevails" despite the gloom thanks to those who "cooperate silently for the common good."

President Vladimir Putin called on Russian citizens to be conciliatory and loving toward one other in 2018. "Say the most cherished words to each other, forgive mistakes and resentment, admit love, warm up with care and attention," he said in his televised message to the nation, adding: "Let the trust and mutual understanding always accompany us."

According to India's Firstpost, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his annual address to welcome those citizens born in the year 2000 who will become what he calls "New India Voters" in 2018. He said this younger generation of Indians born in the twenty-first century will help the country become a "new India" that "will be free from the poison of casteism, communalism, terrorism and corruption."