Video blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski wanted to challenge Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko but instead received an 18-year prison sentence. How did the key opposition leader get his start in politics?

Alaa Abdel Fatah was a prominent figure in the 2011 revolution that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak. The activist's family have long decried the conditions of his years-long detention.

A Cairo court has sentenced Egypt's revolution activist Alaa Abdel Fattah to 5 years behind bars for spreading “fake news”. Rights groups slammed the trial as a “sham”. Meanwhile, anti-crime protests in Goma turned deadly. Congolese police fired tear gas and live rounds while civilians set up road blocks and burnt tires. Finally, our reporters in Cote d’Ivoire meet with a standup comedian determined to use humour to break down stereotypes. He pokes fun at clichés about his notorious hometown, Abobo.

Russian historian Yuri Dmitriyev, who also serves as a local head of Memorial rights group, was found guilty of abusing his adopted daughter. His supporters say charges against him are politically motivated.

Hong Kong activist found guilty over Tiananmen vigil: DW's Phoebe Kong reports

FRANCE 24 spoke to Mahbouba Seraj, a leading women's rights activist in Afghanistan. She told us the Taliban have to "give in" on "red lines" such as women's access to education and work in order to "continue governing". With Afghanistan in dire need of financial assistance, Seraj said she was "angry at the whole world", especially US President Joe Biden. "You cannot let the people of this country die," she said in an emotional plea to the international community.

We look at reactions to the assassination of a teenage indigenous activist in Colombia, which is the most dangerous place in the world for environmental activists. In other news, British PM Boris Johnson continues to dominate headlines. Elsewhere, could Showtime's star TV show "Yellowjackets" upend the Netflix binge model? Finally, find out why U2 frontman Bono hates his voice, the band's early songs and even the band's name itself!

Belarusian activist calls on EU leaders to investigate Lukashenko

Adenike Oladosu is one of Africa's most vocal environmental activists. She realized that there was a lack of knowledge about climate change on the continent, so she started her own pan- African climate justice movement.

Rihanna donates $15 million to climate justice through her Clara Lionel Foundation

FRANCE 24 spoke to Ramy Shaath, an Egytian-Palestinian activist who spent two and half years in jail in Egypt on accusations of aiding a terrorist group. He was a member of several secular political groups and a co-founder of the pro-Palestinian BDS movement. Shaath, who was never formally charged, described the conditions of his arrest, detention and finally his release from jail on January 8. He claimed "arbitrary detentions and arrests" increasingly account for "the majority" of inmates in Egyptian jails under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. He also said he understood that he was expected to keep silent following his release and had already received threats.

In Durban, Romario Valentine, a young eco-warrior, dedicates his weekends to beach cleanups, environment classes and protecting the planet. Instead of opening gifts on his birthdays, he concentrates on crowdfunding.