PARIS (AP) — Revelers around the world greeted 2009 with fireworks, bell ringing and a tinge of optimism Thursday — amid hopes they'd seen the last of 2008's disappearing jobs and slumping stocks.

Fireworks exploded in a kaleidoscopic shower of light over Sydney, Australia's shimmering harbor early Thursday as the world's first major city to ring in 2009 celebrated the end of a decidedly rocky year with cheers from more than a million people, beers and a sense of relief.