NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have identified a group of worker honeybees that are specially adapted to build their queen’s waxy abode within the hive.

Worker bees perform a myriad of jobs to keep up the hive, including collecting food, nurturing young bees and caring for the queen, who lays all the eggs. New research reveals that the honeybees responsible for crafting the queen’s home effectively run a fever to help melt and blend special chemicals into the wax.

“No one had ever thought that there might be a specialized group of workers that were building these queen cells,” said bee researcher Julia Bowsher with North Dakota State University, who had no role in the study.

These newly identified bees were younger and also had patterns of expression in their genes that made them uniquely suited to the task. The resulting peanut-shaped home was also distinct in its makeup, as it was made of softer wax with a higher melting point than the kind used to build worker bees’ homes.

Queens are raised eating royal jelly secreted from the glands of worker bees and scientists have long believed diet was the main key to making a monarch. The new findings, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, suggest that the queen’s environment might also play a role.

To test that theory, researchers raised baby queens in cups capped with either queen or worker wax. Despite eating royal jelly, the queens raised in worker wax were smaller and didn’t survive as well.

“For centuries, we believed ‘you are what you eat’ was the only rule for making a queen bee. Our study rewrites that rule to say ‘you are where you live, too,’” Kai Wang, a study co-author with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said in an email.

The findings offer a rare look inside the hive, but questions remain.

Honeybees pollinate and ensure the survival of crops such as blueberries, squash, watermelon and almonds. Further research is needed to learn more about the secret lives of queen cell-building bees and the exact combination of factors that produce the hive’s head honcho.

“I would really like to know more about the specific chemical composition of this wax and which active ingredients are directly affecting the growth of the queens,” Bowsher said.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Councillors for Bradshaw and Harwood have agreed a funding arrangement with Bolton Council to upgrade security at Longsight Park’s entrance, Harwood.

The move follows an unauthorised encampment at the site earlier this month, which residents and volunteers said left behind rubbish, damage and human waste.

Councillors say the new measures are aimed at protecting the park and its arboretum from future incidents.

Cllr James Moller said: “Some people might complain it is a big lump sum of money, but it is money better spent on this, as the damage that they have done can cost thousands.

“It is just protecting assets in the area, and it is a good thing they are protecting these assets for the older generation and newer.”

The councillor said the cost of repairing damage could ultimately be greater than investing in prevention measures.

(Image: NQ)

He said councillors had agreed a 50/50 funding arrangement with Bolton Council to deliver the security improvements.

Cllr Moller added: “It costs the taxpayer more with damages than if we install this.”

The exact design of the new security feature has yet to be confirmed, although it is expected to involve a barrier at the park entrance.

The plans come after Bolton Council confirmed that the gate at the site had been damaged and that officers were reviewing security arrangements.

Earlier this month, eight caravans parked at Longsight Park before the council served a legal notice ordering those on the site to leave.

Following the encampment, volunteers described a major clean-up operation and raised concerns about damage to parts of the park and arboretum.

A Bolton Council spokesperson previously said neighbourhood services staff had attended the site to remove waste and that the council’s neighbourhood assets team had reviewed the quality of the gates on site.

A new organisation will deliver thousands of new homes and jobs, the government has announced

A new regeneration body will be set to deliver thousands of new homes, jobs, transport links, and community services in Greater Cambridge, the government has announced. The government says the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation will ensure transport and services are built alongside new homes and “not as an afterthought”.

The corporation aims to bring land together for development, invest in key sites, and unlock stalled and derelict land, according to government officials. The announcement follows a consultation over the plans earlier this year.

Speaking exclusively to Cambridgeshire Live, housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook said: “Cambridge East presents a golden opportunity to transform one of the largest undeveloped brownfield sites in the country. For years, this land in Greater Cambridge has sat idle and this government is putting its money where its mouth is by investing £100 million to now bring the site forward.”

The government said the development will attract millions more in investment. “This is about delivering real benefits for local people – tackling the region’s acute housing crisis and building a place where communities can grow and prosper, while backing Cambridge’s future as a world‑leading centre for science and innovation,” the housing minister added.

The leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Councillor Lucy Nethsingha, said she welcomes government investment in the region. However, she said the council is “staunchly committed to ensuring that the growth, which is much needed, will materially benefit and involve local people”.

She added: “Earlier this year, we responded to the government’s consultation on proposals for the Development Corporation, raising our deeply held concerns across a variety of areas including, but not limited to: availability of water and sewage capacity, transport infrastructure and highways maintenance funding, flooding and environmental management, and energy capacity.”

Cllr Nethsingha said it is not clear how the Development Corporation will interact with the existing planning system. She said it risks “disrupting effective partnership working, significantly reducing local democratic influence over decisions and possibly even slowing growth”.

Feedback received during the consultation has been “carefully reviewed”, according to Mr Pennycook. He said a comprehensive response has since been published.

“We will now take the time necessary to ensure we understand the many implications for our residents and on our diverse services, from adult social care to waste management and everything in between,” Cllr Nethsingha added.

While formal identification is still to be completed, police have informed the family of a missing man

A member of the public made the grim discovery of human remains close to a busy major road on Tuesday evening (June 2), as police continue to search for a missing man.

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the find was made on the A4 Portway in Bristol, which connects the city centre to the M5 motorway and Avonmouth via the Avon Gorge. Officers added that the remains have been linked to an ongoing search for the missing 40-year-old Rebaz, Bristol Live reports.

While formal identification is still to be completed, officers have notified the family of Rebaz. He was last seen on May 4 near Fishponds Road, prompting a public appeal amid growing concern for his welfare.

“Police were called to the Portway on Tuesday evening, 2 June, by a member of the public who had found human remains,” the force confirmed in a statement released on Wednesday.

“Sadly, our initial enquiries suggest the deceased is missing Rebaz, 40, from Bristol, who hadn’t been seen since Monday 4 May. While formal identification has yet to take place, his family have been informed and have our sympathy in their loss.

“Officers would like to thank everyone who contacted us with information or shared our appeal to trace Rebaz.”

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The name and logo of the UK’s Universal theme park in Bedfordshire have been officially unveiled

The name and branding of the UK’s Universal theme park have been revealed, alongside announcements of £7.3 billion worth of investment into the scheme by the American entertainment giant and the Government.

The attraction will be called Universal United Kingdom Resort, with work already underway and construction due to commence shortly.

Universal anticipates the development, which will be the company’s first theme park and resort in Europe, will deliver almost £50 billion of economic value to the UK economy by 2055.

The theme park is projected to draw millions of visitors every year, including over a million additional international tourists, with the resort poised to become the UK’s leading tourist destination.

Comcast NBCUniversal has pledged to invest more than £5 billion in the entertainment resort complex throughout the anticipated five-year construction period, alongside an additional £1 billion in capital expenditure during its first decade of operation.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) described it as “one of the largest-ever investments in the UK tourism sector” and said it would create nearly 20,000 jobs during construction and a further 8,000 positions when the resort launches in 2031.

The Government will back the scheme with an investment of £1.3 billion on regional and local community infrastructure to “ensure the park can operate successfully, with improved transport links for local residents and visitors from across the UK and abroad”, DCMS said. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves visited the location on Wednesday (June 3) morning and met some of the initial staff recruited for the scheme after being welcomed by Mark Woodbury, chairman and chief executive of Universal Destinations & Experiences.

Addressing Mr Woodbury and Universal employees during her maiden visit to the location, Ms Reeves, who wore a hi-vis jacket and hard hat, said: “Thank you for choosing the UK. I know that you could have chosen locations in other parts of Europe. We’re really thrilled you’re going to be here and we’re determined to work with you to make it the massive success that I know it’s going to be.”

Mr Woodbury said the resort would deliver “immersive storytelling, thrilling attractions and unparalleled creativity and innovation to the UK”.

He told Ms Reeves the firm was “ready to break ground and make this the most spectacular theme park in all of Europe, if not the world.”

Molly Murphy, president of Universal Creative, said the company was “thrilled” to have the Chancellor attend to mark the commencement of enabling works on the location.

Asked why Bedfordshire was chosen, Ms Murphy told reporters: “We chose Bedfordshire because it is an exciting place. There’s an amazing amount of creative talent in the UK that we can tap into and this place is a perfect location to build the greatest theme park in all of Europe, so we’re very excited about doing that.”

Following the site visit, the Chancellor and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy hosted Brian Roberts, chairman of Comcast Corporation, and Mr Woodbury at 11 Downing Street to reveal the resort’s name and logo.

Mr Roberts said the company looked forward to “creating a spectacular destination that supports the UK creative industries and brings joy to millions for generations to come”.

The Chancellor said: “This landmark investment in the heart of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor will unlock nearly £50 billion of economic growth and create tens of thousands of jobs across Bedfordshire in construction, hospitality, creative and technology sectors.

“Our own investment in transport and infrastructure means that local people will benefit – improving connectivity, backing our creative industries, and bringing millions of visitors to the UK from across the world.”

As part of the £1.3 billion investment, the Government will provide a grant of £400 million through the Exceptional Regional Growth Fund, while DCMS will contribute a further £438 million towards new community infrastructure to “maximise the benefits of the development and support growth across the region”.

These grants will only be released once Universal has completed the community infrastructure — in the case of the DCMS grant — and formally opened the theme park and resort. The Department for Transport will also upgrade the strategic road and rail network, on the A421 and at Wixams train station at an expected cost of £474 million.

DCMS stated that Universal’s selection of Bedford for its inaugural European park is “a testament to the strength of the UK’s visitor offering and creative industries”.

It further noted that Universal had “committed to world-class training opportunities for the next generation of its workforce, including through a range of apprenticeships and internships”.

Culture Secretary Ms Nandy said: “This unparalleled investment is a huge vote of confidence in the UK and puts rocket boosters under our entertainment industry.

“When it comes to creating world-class experiences, the UK is second to none. We’re proud to be backing British industry, investing in local talent and partnering with powerhouses like Universal to create jobs, growth and opportunities across the UK.”

Over 100 people across the UK have already been taken on to work on the development, with Universal having received expressions of employment interest from approximately 33,000 individuals. Roughly 80% of the theme park and resort’s workforce is anticipated to be drawn from Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

Dame Caroline Dinenage, chairwoman of the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee, described the investment as having “potential to provide a welcome boost to our tourism industry at a time when there are concerns that the policy landscape is making the UK a less attractive destination for overseas visitors”.

She went on to say: “The Government must work with Universal to ensure the project brings long-lasting benefits, not just to tourism, but also to our wider creative industries.”

Universal’s American theme parks feature rides and attractions drawn from its impressive portfolio of major blockbusters and film franchises, encompassing Minions, ET and Jurassic Park, alongside Kung Fu Panda, Fast & Furious and Shrek.

The entertainment giant currently operates five resort complexes across the globe – Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood in the US, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Universal Beijing Resort in China and Universal Studios Singapore.

An inquest has heard how Chiedza Nyanjowa’s tragic death was an “unintended result of a deliberate act”

A teenager drowned on a bank holiday beach trip, after entering the sea to retrieve a ball.

Chiedza Nyanjowa, 15, was playing volleyball with her cousins at Formby beach, Merseyside, when their ball entered the water at around 3pm on Monday, May 25.

She and her 11-year-old cousin entered the sea to retrieve the ball but Chiedza, along with her younger cousin, were swept out away from the shore as they attempted to get it.

An inquest, held at Bootle Town Hall today, June 3, heard evidence from coroner’s assistant, Emma Donaldson.

The court heard how the teenage girl, from Cheshire, had been visiting her auntie at her home in Bolton during the half term and was unable to swim.

Before the family visited Formby beach, Chiedza had been told to stay out of the water due to her inability to swim, the evidence stated.

The inquest heard how her auntie lost sight of the children as they played due to the volume of people during the busy bank holiday, reports the Liverpool Echo.

She and her younger cousin entered the water after the ball strayed into the sea, as it had done several times during that afternoon, but a wave pulled them out with the water reaching Chiedza’s chin and reaching her cousin’s neck.

The court heard: “The water depth increased, quickly reaching her cousin’s neck and Chiedza’s chin. Chiedza was submerged and she tried to climb onto her cousin, submerging her.”

Chiedza was told to hold onto the ball they had gone to retrieve from the water as a flotation device while her cousin went to get help. However, the inquest heard it took 15 minutes for her cousin to get help.

The 15-year-old was pulled from the water and found to be unconscious before three members of the public, including one off-duty doctor and two off-duty nurses – began performing CPR on the teen for around 25 minutes before the air ambulance landed.

The inquest heard how the air ambulance landed at the beach at 3.35pm before it then set off at 4.23pm and landed at Alder Hey at 4.33pm.

Despite the best efforts of medical professionals and the members of the public, Chiedza died in hospital on Saturday, May 30.

Area coroner for Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley told the court: “Chiezda was aged 15. On the 25th of May 2026 she was at Formby Beach playing with a ball.

The ball entered the water and she went in to get it, but was pushed out by the waves.

“She was recovered from the water unconscious.

Bystanders performed CPR and she was transferred to Alder Hey Hospital. Despite care and treatment, she sadly died on the 29th of May 2026 as a consequence of a brain injury caused by her submersion in the water.”

Ms Wheeler concluded her death was the result of misadventure, with a post-mortem recording her death as a brain injury as a result of drowning.

She said: “This is the unintended result of a deliberate act of going into the water to retrieve the ball.”

She described the death as a “tragedy” and offered her sincere condolences to the family of the girl who did not attend the inquest.

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The coroner said: “I am so so sorry for your loss, I cannot imagine what you are going through.”

Ms Wheeler also raised concerns about illegal parking in the surrounding area of the beach and the potential impact that this could have caused emergency services in accessing the beach. However, she stated there was no evidence that this caused or contributed to Chiedza’s death.

Ms Wheeler said: “I am extremely concerned that selfish and illegal parking on single yellow lines could have an impact on emergency services in future deaths.”

The coroner decided against writing a prevention of future death report due to there being no one who could reasonably fix the parking issues around Formby beach, but condemned drivers.

She also commended the acts of bystanders who she said could have “frozen” in the moment, but instead fought to try and save the life of the teenager.

She said: “I want to offer my commendation for the bystanders who helped and the condemnation for the selfish, inconsiderate drivers who are parking illegally for the sake of having to avoid walking a short distance [from the beach].”

Cllr Marion Atkinson, leader of Sefton Council, said: “We were deeply saddened to learn of Chiedza’s passing following a visit to Formby beach during the recent Bank Holiday weekend.

“Our thoughts remain with her family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”

The plans, submitted to Blaenau Gwent council planners, are to convert Elmwood House in the Georgetown area of the town into a “sui generic house” class so that it can become a 14-bedroom HMO.

Plans have been submitted to turn a building in Tredegar into a 14-bedroom HMO. The plans, submitted to Blaenau Gwent council planners, are to convert Elmwood House in the Georgetown area of the town into a “sui generic house” class so that it can become a 14-bedroom HMO.

Some in the area have expressed worries over the plans, while others have backed the plans and said the most important thing is that people in need of a home are accommodated properly.

The proposal has been submitted by Pascal Stumpers of Cobra Real Estate Limited. Planning agent Charlotte Hall, of Harvey Bowes, explained the proposal, saying: “Elmwood House is a substantial building located within a residential area of Georgetown, Tredegar. The site is sustainably located with access to local services and transport.”

She said the council has no article four directions or policies specific for HMO concentrations and the proposal should be assessed against general planning principles including amenity, design, and highways.

Ms Hall said: “The proposal retains a residential use and makes efficient use of an existing building. The scheme provides generous bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, and high-quality communal areas.

“The site promotes sustainable travel with cycle storage and car ownership is expected to be low. The proposal represents a sustainable form of development and should be supported.”

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A management plan for the HMO has also been lodged with the proposal. Ms Hall said: “The property will be professionally managed with a named responsible person available 24/7. All tenants will be referenced and tenancy agreements will include strict behavioural clauses.”

These “house rules” include no anti-social behaviour, no excessive noise after 10pm, respect for neighbours, and proper waste disposal.

Ms Hall continued: “Neighbours will have access to a contact number and complaints will be logged and resolved within 48 hours. The property will comply with fire safety regulations and licensing requirements. The management approach ensures minimal impact on the surrounding area.”

The application has gained much interest on social media, with some residents concerned over the type of people that could end up living at Elmwood House.

One neighbour said: “The question now facing residents is whether a 14-room HMO at this location is genuinely needed or whether it represents yet another example of communities being reshaped to suit speculative property interests.” Others have pointed out that the site is close to schools.

Some comments also pointed out that people don’t notice other HMOs in the area and that there is a need to “help and house” homeless people.

A decision is expected by a deadline of July 9.

The Ministry of Defence said the incident happened just before 4am on Wednesday and images show the destroyed aircraft at the scene in Devon – as tributes pour in from the Royal Family and senior officials

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The Princess of Wales has released a statement following the devastating helicopter crash during a training exercise that claimed the lives of three Royal Navy personnel.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the incident took place just before 4am on Wednesday (June 3), with photographs revealing the wreckage at the site in Devon. The Princess of Wales, serving as Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, expressed that she is “saddened” by the tragic events.

In a statement released by Kensington Palace across the royals’ social media platforms, the Princess said: “I was so saddened to hear of the tragic loss of three service personnel from the Fleet Air Arm following a helicopter training exercise last night. William and I hold their families and friends in our hearts at this very difficult time.”

Both Kate and the Prince of Wales are understood to be reaching out to the bereaved families in the coming days. It is further understood that King Charles has been informed of the incident and intends to write privately to the families concerned.

Police confirmed that emergency services were alerted at approximately 3.45am following reports of a crash at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, Devon, reports the Daily Star.

The head of the Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, stated: “I am deeply saddened to share the news that three crewmembers onboard a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter have died after it crashed in the early hours of this morning near Sourton, Devon.

“I know this will come as a huge shock to all in our naval community, and my deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and loved ones impacted by this tragedy.”

The MoD confirmed that the families of the service personnel who lost their lives in the incident have been notified.

In an official statement, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” by the crash, subsequently describing the incident on social media as “utterly tragic”.

Defence Secretary John Healey said he was “devastated” at the three deaths of personnel who “served with excellence and will be much missed”.

Merlin helicopters, such as the Merlin Mk4 involved in the incident, typically carry a crew of four and are capable of transporting up to 24 troops.

In 2024, a Merlin Mk4 ditched in the Channel during a training exercise, killing Lieutenant Rhodri Leyshon.

The area lies between the Royal Navy’s air bases at Yeovilton in Somerset and Culdrose in Cornwall.

The crash site is situated close to Okehampton battle camp, a military facility on the outskirts of Dartmoor which has been utilised for training Merlin helicopter crews from the Commando Helicopter Force.

The Merlin helicopter is predominantly deployed for anti-submarine warfare, though the aircraft can also be used for search and rescue, cargo transfers and maritime patrol, according to the Royal Navy’s website.

This year is the company’s 60thanniversary and the 40th anniversary of its first appearance at York Theatre Royal: hence the summer production choice of Johann Strauss II’s party opera, wherein lavish host Prince Orlofsky seeks fresh amusement at his New Year’s Eve party. What better place for disguises, deception and revenge served with chilled champagne?

On an earlier occasion, Doctor Falke had been humiliated by his old friend Herr Eisenstein, who persuaded him to dress for a party as a bat [Die Fledermaus]. After much amusement and ridicule, eventually he was abandoned to wander the streets of Vienna. Falke plots his revenge with a cocktail of hidden secrets, mistaken identities and a splash or two of champagne that leads to a comedy of errors that soon takes flight. Will the bat be revenged?

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Olivia Turner and Alexandra Mather will share the role of Rosalinda; likewise, Stephanie Wong and LaLa Marais both will play Adele, after the decision to double cast the principal roles was made in response to the high calibre of talent displayed at the auditions.

Here Olivia and Alexandra answer a series of questions on being the two faces of Rosalinda in York Opera’s Die Fledermaus.

How would you describe Rosalinda’s character?

Olivia: “She is a glamorous and spirited character who enjoys flirting with her many admirers. She is intelligent and likes to think she can outwit her unfaithful husband.”

Alexandra: “She’s sassy, spirited and more than a little mischievous. She’s intelligent and enjoys staying one step ahead of everyone around her. While she’s quick to challenge her husband’s infidelities, she’s not entirely innocent herself, which gives the character a wonderfully cheeky hypocrisy. She’s fun-loving, free-spirited, flirtatious and full of personality.”

Do you play a different role on the nights when you’re not playing Rosalinda?

Olivia: “No, I will only be performing the role of Rosalinda tonight and on Friday.”

Alexandra: “No. Rosalinda is quite a substantial role, so we’re making the most of our nights off when we’re not performing! That said, I’ll certainly be there watching and cheering Liv on. I’ll be performing the role of Rosalinda tomorrow and on Saturday.”

Have you performed inDie Fledermauspreviously?

Olivia: “No, this is my first time performing inDie Fledermaus, but I watched a production at the Royal College of Music, which I really enjoyed.”

Alexandra: “No, this is my first time, although it’s a piece I’ve wanted to do for a very long time. I’ve been familiar with and loved the music for years, so it’s a real pleasure finally to be performing it.”

What’s your big number in the show?

Olivia: “Csárdás, where I am disguised as a Hungarian Countess and am trying to convince the party I am Hungarian through the music of my homeland.”

Alexandra: Like Liv, my showcase number is the Csárdás. However, my personal favourite piece to perform is probably the Watch Duet. I remember seeing a performance featuring Joan Sutherland when I was about 14 and becoming completely obsessed with it. It’s one of the pieces that first sparked my interest in opera, so performing it now feels particularly special.”

Have you worked separately or together in rehearsal?

Olivia: “During rehearsals we would generally run the scenes separately to allow each of us to explore our own ideas and styles, but we have been supporting each other throughout the process, which has been helpful.”

Alexandra: “A bit of both. We’ve rehearsed scenes separately so that we could each develop our own interpretation of Rosalinda, but we’ve also spent a lot of time watching and learning from each other. It’s been a very supportive process, and it’s always useful to have someone nearby who knows your lines when you suddenly forget them!”

What is your history of performing with York Opera?

Olivia: “This is my first time. Everyone has been so welcoming and it has been a pleasure to be involved in this 60th anniversary production.”

Alexandra: “I’ve been performing with York Opera for nearly ten years, and I feel incredibly privileged to be part of the company. They are one of the most welcoming and supportive groups I’ve ever worked with. It may sound clichéd, but they really do feel like a family. York Opera provides opportunities for performers to sing and act at a very high level alongside a full orchestra and exceptional musicians, and I’ve always felt both challenged and supported here.”

What is the principal joy of singing on the York Theatre Royal stage?

Olivia: “I am very excited as this will be my first time singing on the Theatre Royal stage.”

Alexandra: “York Theatre Royal is a fantastic venue. It’s large enough to feel exciting and impressive, but intimate enough that you never lose the connection with the audience. Smaller comic moments still land beautifully, and you can really feel the audience responding to what’s happening on stage. It’s also wonderful to bring local audiences into a thriving local theatre and support a venue that plays such an important role in York’s cultural life.”

York Opera in Die Fledermaus, York Theatre Royal, tonight (3/6/2026), tomorrow and Friday, 7.30pm, Saturday, 4pm. Box office: 01904 623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk.

Tyler Adams insists he is ready for the “responsibility” of being a face of this World Cup.

Bournemouth midfielder Adams, 27, is a huge star in the United States and, while he can enjoy the relative privacy of his life on the serene south coast, he is ready to be on every billboard, every advert and every TV station this summer. But Adams is used to embracing challenges because his football journey has gone from New York Red Bulls to RB Leipzig, Leeds and now Bournemouth because he was so driven to achieve his goal.

That is why this summer is not about pressure. It is about embracing an incredible opportunity this summer as he believes Mauricio Pochettino’s US side can ride a wave – and also “grow the game” in the United States.

Adams said: “You know, so many people have an opportunity to play in a World Cup. Not so many people have an opportunity to do it on home soil. When I play games here at Bournemouth. It’s a special occasion. My kids are in the stands. My wife and it’s great. But I’m gonna have my mom, my dad, my brothers, everyone. They don’t get to see me on a daily basis and they’ll be there to support me and I think that’s the most special thing. To be able to take that all in, and it really be a family experience is going to be special.

“But I wouldn’t say pressure. I think I feel a responsibility of some sorts that we can really change the way people view the game in the US.

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“We have an opportunity to really grow the game at ten folds. I think in the past you go and play a World Cup in Qatar and, yes, some people will watch and it’s the biggest viewed sport globally. But not necessarily in the US. But fans are going to gravitate towards the game now with it being in the US and being so many opportunities to watch so many different games.

“So, for me, I feel a responsibility that if we play well, There will be young kids out there that are going to want to play the game and really have an impact on the game as well.”

Adams is a special character. That is why he was the youngest captain at the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and, at 23, was also US’s youngest captain since 1950. This time, Mauricio Pochettino named veteran Tim Ream to captain the team. He is a leader who has watched the team develop under Pochettino while also improving his own game immeasurably after moving to the Premier League, first with Leeds and then under Andoni Iraola who led Bournemouth into Europe before leaving the club.

Adams sees similarities between the two managers and they have both championed him to become the energetic, tenacious and classy midfielder of today.

“I feel like this season, even with the hiccup with injury in the middle of the season, I’ve been able to play some of my most consistent football of my career,” said Adams who feels he is nearing his peak.

“I feel like I am getting to that point. I feel like I have been able to now take in and develop over the past years so much.

“I think from my journey in New York to then Leipzig, and you know, playing Champions League football at such a young age, and then you know, my biggest dream was to play in the Premier League.

“So making that transition to Leeds and playing at a club with such stature in history before coming here down to Bournemouth. They set out what they wanted to achieve and we feel as if that is coming to fruition.

“The manager (Iraola) was such a genuine human being, a great guy to go to work with every single day. He’s someone that you want to fight for, compete for and ultimately learn from. He’s done an amazing job.

“I have a great relationship with Mauricio. I think every manager is a little bit different. But they’re so detail-oriented on every single thing and I think the relationships that they have with the players are very similar.

“So, you know, for me when I go into the national team. It’s a sit-down with Mauricio, And we get to start talking between anything between 30 minutes and an hour about ‘what’s the season been like for you? What are you working on? What do you need to improve on?’

“So I think that relationship means a lot. But in terms of on the field as tacticians, they play a similar style of football which is very demanding, very chaotic.

“I think we’re finally coming together and I think it took a period of time to try and adjust to the process of Mauricio and his tactics. But wow, it’s starting to come around, and I think when everything clicks, you see the team that we have and what we’re capable of.”

Adams admits the 2022 World Cup was a bit of a blur. It was hard to take it all in. But if that was a learning process then it has set him up well for this summer.

This is a player with his head screwed on. He is a father of two boys, settled in Bournemouth, he enjoys the quiet life and his career decisions are reaping rich rewards.

Adams graduated from the New York Red Bulls academy then moved to Germany at just 16 and arrived at RB Leipzig not speaking the language but ready to learn. He loved his time at Leeds and is now at his best at Bournemouth. That has prepared him well for the next challenge when he knows it will be a huge summer for the joint hosts with so much expectation and hope on his shoulders.

Adams said: “Mauricio has stressed this to the team that all this outside noise is out of your control. It’s what’s on the inside of this team and that’s why he’s making sure that he picks the best 26 players that are going to be the best team.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be the best players and I think that uncertainty has allowed me to also, you know, free my mind up as well. I am not thinking that I am guaranteed a spot on the national team.

“I am playing every single day like I have a point to prove to him and make sure that I give myself the best chance to be there.

“I think I’ve been through a lot in my career and as a person. You know, I’m a father now. I have kids now. I look at things from a different perspective. I know that on the field I’m an animal. I get after things. I want to win.

“That’s just my personality. I’m competitive, I get on you, but off of the fields we’re relatable. We can talk about family or any scenario. Having a family and becoming a father has been a great change for me and my life and in my career.”

Adams can see Pochettino coming back to the Premier League in the future – the ex-Tottenham boss has never hidden his desire to return to club football – but for now they are both focused on the World Cup.

“He’s super focused and keen on obviously having a successful World Cup,” said Adams. “The preparations go into that. That being said, any Premier League team that he might manage one day will be very fortunate to have him.”

And there is no limit to Adams’ own ambitions this summer – and they want to embrace the home support and see it as an advantage rather than a pressure.

He added: “I think you go into this experience, into this World Cup, with one goal in mind and that’s to win. When you’re in a tournament format, anything can happen. You know people might want.

“They want to label us underdogs or put certain expectations on us, but we don’t put expectations on ourselves and I think that’s the most important thing. Because Mauricio even said a couple of weeks ago: ‘Why why are you going to a tournament if your mindset isn’t to win?’ You don’t go to a tournament just to have fun.

“We know we can compete. So I think when we get all cylinders fired, we have an opportunity to do something special. I mean you’ve seen what’s possible in previous years.

“I think that the fans are going to help us and push us to that level. When you’re playing in an eighty thousand seat stadium and you have seventy five percent of it rooting for you as as a home team, that could be something special. So we’re going to be riding on that.”

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