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Events on Monday 31 December 2018 8
1991 – 2018The Jerry Springer ShowHosted his eponymous talk show from 1991 to 2018. Known for on-set confrontations and chair-throwing, the show became a cultural phenomenon, briefly overtaking Oprah Winfrey in daytime ratings. TV Guide named it the worst show in television history in 2002.
2012 – 2018UK Special Boat ServiceSelected for the UK's elite Special Boat Service, one of only a handful of Gurkhas ever admitted. Trained in extreme environments and served on classified operations. Received an MBE for his military service.
2015 – 2018Lifetime HonoursReceived the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015, the Polar Music Prize in 2017, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2018.
20182018: Lewis HamiltonMercedesHamilton won his fifth title, surpassing Fangio to stand alone as the second-most successful champion in F1 history behind Schumacher.
2018Cryptocurrency market crashBitcoin falls more than 80% from its December 2017 peakBitcoin and other cryptocurrencies suffered a prolonged crash throughout 2018, with Bitcoin falling from nearly $20,000 to around $3,200 by December. The collapse wiped out hundreds of billions of dollars in market value following the speculative boom of late 2017. Regulatory scrutiny and exchange failures compounded the decline.
2018Left the MilitaryResigned from the Special Boat Service to pursue mountaineering full time. Mortgaged his house to fund Project Possible, his audacious plan to climb all fourteen 8,000-metre peaks in seven months.
2018My MisterStarred in the critically acclaimed drama series My Mister (Naui Ajusshi), delivering one of his most celebrated television performances.
2018Conversion to IslamAnnounced her conversion to Islam, taking the name Shuhada' Sadaqat, while continuing to perform as Sinéad O'Connor.