World welcomes 2019 with fireworks and festivities

Parisians are gathering to usher in 2019 with a light show illustrating the theme of brotherhood at the Arc de Triomphe monument.

Fireworks explode over the Victoria Harbor during New Year's Eve to celebrate the start of year 2019 in Hong Kong. Source: AP

Parisians welcomed have with a spectacular lights and firework show over the Arc de Triomphe, at the end of the French capital's famous Champs-Elysees avenue.

The display began punctually at midnight, and television pictures showed a huge crowd of people. Several hundred thousand had been expected to attend.

During the lights show the names of the French football team that won the World Cup this year were projected onto the Arc de Triomphe.

More in English  via SBS News.