Revelers brave elements as world ushers in the new year

Fireworks and countdown celebrations took place around the world on Monday to mark the transition to the New Year as revelers around the globe bid farewell to 2018 and welcomed 2019. In New York City, pouring rain couldn't keep crowds from picking Times Square for the traditional ball drop and a string of star performances.

Earlier in Hong Kong, as many as 340,000 people lined Victoria Harbour to kick-start the new year with a fireworks show at midnight, according to police statistics. London ushered in the New Year with its annual fireworks on New Year's Eve and a parade on New Year's Day.