- Renewables surpass coal in US energy production: https://grist.org/energy/renewables-surpass-coal-in-us-energy-generation-for-first-time-in-130-years/

- In Thailand, a critically endangered turtle was spotted emerging from the sea to lay at least 80 eggs on a tourist-free beach: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-world-environmentday-thailand-turtles/rare-turtle-lays-eggs-on-tourist-free-thai-beach-idUSKBN23C1ME

- Japan just had their first day in over 3 months with zero COVID-19 fatalities: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20200608/p2a/00m/0na/004000c

- New Zealand seems to have beaten COVID-19 completely, with zero currently known cases: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/418514/no-active-cases-and-no-new-cases-of-covid-19-in-nz

- Bald eagles have made a huge comeback in Wisconsin thanks to concerted conservation efforts: https://abcnews.go.com/US/bald-eagle-numbers-soar-heights-wisconsin/story?id=68824480

- A class of 8th-graders in the US have donated all the money they raised for their graduation rafting trip to their Native American neighbours of the Navajo Nation, who are struggling amid the pandemic: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/03/us/iyw-eighth-graders-navajo-nation-donations-trnd/index.html

- Wildlife experts in Belgium are getting excited for the birth of the country's first set of wild wolf cubs in more than 100 years: all-news/art-culture/108492/belgian-wolves-noella-and-august-expecting-cubs/

- An Israeli billionaire is planning to deliver hundreds of generators that can produce drinking water out of thin air to Gaza, “because they are our neighbors and it’s a great pity to look at them suffering from such severe water shortages.” https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-billionaire-hopes-to-bring-water-to-parched-gaza/

- Spain approves push for 100% renewable energy, bans all new fossil fuel projects https://reneweconomy.com.au/spain-approves-push-for-100-renewables-bans-all-new-fossil-fuel-projects-63494/

- Study of 20,000 people shows blood plasma from recovered patients is an effective treatment for COVID-19 https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/06/18/blood-plasma-people-who-recovered-is-safe-covid-19-treatment-study-says/

- Another vaccine candidate shows strong results in trials, producing antibodies in 100% of test subjects with no adverse effects https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-china-vaccine/chinas-covid-19-vaccine-candidate-shows-promise-in-human-trials-cnbg-says-idUSKBN23N1YR?utm_source=reddit.com

- Two strangers rescue woman from sinking car https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/3832/Two-Strangers-Rescue-Woman-From-Sinking-Car-After-Witnessing-039-Horrific-039-Accident

- Newspaper deliverman makes more than 500 grocery runs for isolated seniors https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/3827/Newspaper-Deliveryman-Has-Made-More-Than-500-Grocery-Store-Runs-for-Seniors-During-The-Pandemic

- One of the world's most endangered dolphins is making a comeback https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/animals/2020/06/one-of-worlds-rarest-dolphins-rebounding-in-pakistan?fbclid=IwAR1L5qIhRbf2LJqZMAuN6kcGOyKtTkMkCKAdREZihdwEaQACjB1HDG4IOlM

- UK has been coal free for two months, the longest time since the Industrial Revolution https://www.positive.news/society/good-news-stories-from-week-24-of-2020/

- Dream of plentiful organ transplants moves closer to reality as scientists grow tiny working livers from skin cells: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/scientists-grow-tiny-working-livers-from-human-skin-cells/

- Germany bans single use plastic and Styrofoam: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/in-a-victory-for-the-environment-germany-bans-single-use-plastic-and-styrofoam/

- Ireland pledges to prohibit new drilling for oil and gas and reduce emissions by 51% by 2030: https://www.positive.news/society/good-news-stories-from-week-27-of-2020/

- In Mexico, indigenous farmers are bringing back Aztec-Era ‘floating gardens’ to fill the demand for fresh, local food in the wake of the pandemic: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/mexico-city-chinampas-coronavirus?utm_medium=atlas-page&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR3st7V_1_PzXsKPn3o5g1CX3e4YMCmWSyuz6CTDT_ZbImmOUwm2gJtm3qA

- In early human trials, Pfizer’s new COVID-19 vaccine produces more antibodies than the disease itself. The company is already aiming to make 100 million doses the vaccine by the end of this year. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/07/01/pfizer-reports-encouraging-early-covid-19-vaccine-data/

In more personal news: some time ago, I was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma... Terrible news but after my first chemotherapy session, I've noticed improvements: the swollen lymph nodes on my shoulder have shrunk and I've suffered no nausea, opportunistic infection, or hair loss as a result of the treatment.

So far so good...

Second session is scheduled for the 15th and hopefully, that goes just as smoothly...

Having recently gone through cancer myself I know it's a scary process, but I'm so glad to hear your treatment is going well!

Hang in there, and be as kind to yourself as you can. Wishing you a speedy and full recovery.

Thanks a bunch! Diagnostic tests have come back generally favorably so I have reason to think things should go smoothly.

Good,stay healthy and try keep being strong!

Whenever you can, try to put your mind on something else.

Thanks! Gonna take it one day at a time.

- Phase II results from Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine shows it provokes "a robust immune response and no serious side effects" https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-20/coronavirus-vaccine-oxford-university-can-train-immune-system/12475332

- Renewables top fossil fuels for EU electricity generation for the first half of 2020  https://ieefa.org/renewables-topped-fossil-fuels-in-eu-electricity-generation-for-first-time-through-june-2020/

- Preliminary results show treatment with interferon beta reduces the odds of severe symptoms in COVID-19 patients by 79% https://www.bbc.com/news/health-53467022

- 20 million trees planted along the River Ganges in India https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/two-million-indian-residents-host-tree-planting-campaign/

- Pakistan hits its UN Climate Goals a decade ahead of schedule https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/pakistan-meets-un-climate-goals-10-years-early/

- Malnutrition in India drops by 60 million over the last decade, with much of Asia seeing a similar decline https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/india-and-asia-see-malnutrition-and-hunger-plummeting/

- Fusion reactor project in France reaches the assembly stage; if it works, it could provide almost limitless clean energy https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/nuclear-fusion-reactor-hotter-than-the-sun-to-provide-unlimited-clean-energy-to-the-world/

- New study suggests infrared laser resonance could be used to treat Alzheimer's by destroying harmful plaques in the brain https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/lasers-destroy-harmful-plaques-in-alzheimers-brains/

- Portugal to shut down all coal power by 2021, two years ahead of schedule https://www.positive.news/society/positive-news-stories-from-week-30-of-2020/

- Renewable energy takes up record share of global electricity production https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-renewables-insight/green-energy-ratchets-up-power-during-coronavirus-pandemic-idUSKCN24N111

- There's a baby boom happening among the endangered Mountain Gorillas https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/3899/There-039-s-A-Gorilla-Baby-Boom-Happening-In-Uganda

- Rhino poaching in South Africa has halved in the first six months of 2020 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/01/south-african-rhino-poaching-halves-in-six-months-thanks-to-covid-19-lockdown

- Gates Foundation pledge $150 million to make sure COVID-19 vaccine will be affordable and available to some of the world's poorest https://www.vox.com/recode/2020/8/8/21359227/bill-gates-foundation-coronavirus-vaccine-serum-astrazeneca-novavax

- 31 vaccines against COVID-19 are now in human trials, with 8 having reached Phase III, the final stage of testing. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/science/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker.html

And on a personal note, a close friend of mine who contracted COVID-19 has now made a full recovery.