Top news stories in 2021 - 27th December 2021

Covid-19 continued in 2021, but the year also brought some positive news.

The year saw women enjoy success in music, language and at work. At the Grammys, Beyoncé took home the Song of the Year prize for her single 'I Can't Breathe'. Taylor Swift became the first woman to receive the Album of the Year prize three times.

In the Czech Republic, women fought to have the same surnames as men. And in Ukraine, the airline SkyUp changed its women's uniform. Its cabin crew now have more comfortable clothing. Women in Japan are changing the country’s work culture. More married women are working, which is helping the economy.

There were some amazing art discoveries in 2021. In Spain, bar managers made a surprise discovery. Their tapas bar used to be a 12th century Islamic bathhouse. And in Indonesia, a 45,500 year old painting of a pig was discovered in a cave.

In 2021, more people are showing respect for other cultures. In the UK, the University of Cambridge returned a bronze statue to Nigeria. While in Mexico City, the mayor has replaced a statue of Columbus with a statue of a native woman. People in many countries have also changed the name of Columbus Day to celebrate native Americans.

Covid-19 has changed our daily routines. We now watch more TV and video online. We also buy more things on the internet. And Covid-19 has also made zoo animals ill. Luckily, scientists have now made animal Covid vaccines too.

Covid-19 has become part of everyday life. But many positive things are still happening.