#repost @beprettybebrave ・・・ ☝️ BLUE FOR SUDAN | "Mohammed Hashim Mattar was just 26 when he was gunned down by Sudanese security services last week. Now his favourite shade of indigo blue has become a symbol of the country’s embattled pro-democracy uprising. Mattar was one of dozens of people shot, beaten, and stabbed to death when when Sudanese security forces brutally cleared a protest camp in central Khartoum in the early hours of June 3. No one knows exactly how many people died, but the Sudanese Doctors’ Committee, which is part of the protest movement, on Wednesday released the names of 112 people confirmed dead. The list did not include around 40 bodies repeatedly fished out of the Nile after the massacre. There have also been numerous and credible reports of beatings and almost systematic rape of protesting women by security forces." (Source: The Telegraph) . PICTURED: During a nationwide shutdown of the internet, before the death of Mattar, a woman became the symbol of Sudan's revolution. In traditional white Sudanese gown and moon-shaped golden earrings, 22-year-old engineering student Alaa Saleh stood atop the roof of a car with her right arm raised and a finger pointing skyward. It was a brave gesture that put her directly in the line of fire. Hundreds of her fellow protesters surrounded her, their phones held high to record her. It did not take long for it to go viral on social media and, in many ways, to become the defining image of nearly four months of street protests against an authoritarian government, demonstrations in which women have played a significant role. . #BePrettyBeBrave #BlueforSudan

After months of protests in #Sudan, President Omar al-Bashir has stepped down. And THIS woman has come to symbolize Sudan's protests. Lana H. Haroun, who took the photo in Khartoum, says: "She was representing all Sudanese women and girls and she inspired every woman and girl at the sit-in. She was telling the story of Sudanese women. ... She was perfect." The #SudanUprising is one of top stories today on News Stream. Tune in, 8p Hong Kong, 2p Khartoum, and 12p GMT on CNN. See you soon.

Farewell Sudan 😰🌹 And we say Thank you for being with us, for your contribution and for being such an inspiration. Rest with love now. ❤️ #Repost @natgeo ・・・ Photo by @amivitale With a heavy heart, I share this news and hope that Sudan's legacy will awaken us to protect this magnificent and fragile planet. Yesterday, Joseph Wachira, 26 comforted Sudan, the last living male Northern White Rhino moments before he passed away. Sudan lived a long, healthy life at the conservancy after he was brought to Kenya from @safari_park_dvur_kralov in the #czechrepublic in 2009. He died surrounded by people who loved him at @olpejeta after suffering from age-related complications that led to degenerative changes in muscles and bones combined with extensive skin wounds. Sudan has been an inspirational figure for many across the world. Thousands have trooped to Ol Pejeta to see him and he has helped raise awareness for rhino conservation. The two female northern white rhinos left on the planet are his direct descendants. Research into new Assisted Reproductive Techniques for large mammals is underway due to him. The impact that this special animal has had on conservation is simply incredible. And there is still hope in the future that the subspecies might be restored through IVF. In 2009, I had the privilege of following this gentle hulking creature on his journey from the snowy Dour Krylov zoo in the Czech Republic to the warm plains of Kenya, when he was transported with three of his fellow Northern White Rhinos in a last ditch effort to save the subspecies. It was believed that the air, water, and food, not to mention room to roam, might stimulate them to breed—and the offspring would then be used to repopulate Africa. At the time, there were 8 Northern white rhinos alive, all in zoos. Today, we are witnessing the extinction of a species that had survived for millions of years but could not survive mankind. Follow @olpejeta and @amivitale to learn more about how we can protect these magnificent creatures. @natgeo @natgeocreative @olpejeta @kenyawildlifeservice @thephotosociety  #SudanForever#WorthMoreAlive #OlPejetaRhinos #NorthernWhiteRhinos #protect