In pictures: World welcomes 2019

Revellers welcome the new year with fireworks display and festivities as a celebratory wave sweeps westward across the globe from Asia to Europe and the Americas at the conclusion of a tumultuous year.

Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour during New Year's Eve celebrations in Sydney, Australia, on January 1, 2019.
Reuters

Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour during New Year's Eve celebrations in Sydney, Australia, on January 1, 2019.

Revelers around the globe bid farewell on Monday to a year filled with challenges to many of the world's most basic institutions, including politics, trade, alliances and religion. 

Fireworks, spiritual services and political addresses abounded to mark the transition. 

As the world celebrates, many are wondering whether the turmoil witnessed in 2018 will spill over into the next.

Here is a look at how people are ushering in 2019:

Reuters

Fireworks explode over Chao Phraya River during the New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, January 1, 2019.

Reuters

A make-up artist decorates the hair of a woman in the shape of Santa Claus during the New Year preparations in Ahmedabad, India, on December 31, 2018.

AFP

Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour during New Year celebrations in Hong Kong on January 1, 2019.

AP

A woman hangs paper notes bearing her New Year wishes outside the Jogyesa Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, December 31, 2018.

AFP

Fireworks burst over the water of Marina Bay during the New Year countdown celebrations in Singapore on January 1, 2019.

AP

Worshippers pray as they take turns lying in coffins during a ceremony at the Takien temple in suburban Bangkok, Thailand on December. 31, 2018.

AP

Fireworks explode in front of Malaysia's landmark building, the Petronas Twin Towers, during the New Year's celebration in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on January 1, 2019.

AP

Pakistani vendors sell new year balloons in Karachi, Pakistan, Monday, December 31, 2018.

AA

A young boy releases a balloon carrying his personal wishes as people gather at July 15th Kizilay National Will Square in Ankara, Turkey ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31, 2018.

Reuters

Fireworks illuminate the sky over the Arc de Triomphe during the New Year's Day celebrations on the Champs Elysees, in Paris, Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

Reuters

People take part in New Year celebrations at the Waterway in Cairo, Egypt December 31, 2018.

AFP

Fireworks explode at the Burj Khalifah, said to be the world’s tallest building, on New Year's Eve to welcome 2019 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on December 31, 2018.

Reuters

A woman puts the finishing touches to a puppet depicting US President Donald Trump ready to be burned at midnight on December 31, 2018 as a way of saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming the new in Managua, Nicaragua.

AP

A man watches the fireworks exploding over Copacabana Beach during the New Year's celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

Reuters

Revelers celebrate New Year's Eve in Times Square, in the Manhattan borough of New York, US, December 31, 2018.

Reuters

People watch as fireworks explode over Copacabana beach during New Year celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, January 1, 2019.

Reuters

New Kids On The Block perform during New Year's eve celebrations in Times Square in the Manhattan borough of New York, US, December 31, 2018.

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