Romeo Beckham continues to goad Brooklyn as he poses with Harper

Romeo and Cruz Beckham shared some unseen pictures showing off their close bond with sister Harper after Brooklyn missed her birthday

Harper Beckham has been spending time with brothers Romeo and Cruz amid the fallout(Image: romeobeckham/Instagram)

The three youngest Beckham siblings have proved they remain as tight knit as ever, despite eldest Brooklyn turning his back on them. Romeo Beckham has shared some unseen photos with sister Harper to showcase their bond just as the feud with their older brother escalates.

The family has been rocked by a very public fallout that has now spilled into a social media war. David and Victoria’s eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz have chosen to distance themselves from the clan over the last year with things heating up when the young couple failed to attend football icon David’s 50th birthday celebrations in May.

Brooklyn then did not send any message of support when David received his long awaited knighthood or a tribute on Father’s Day. Instead, he has been loyal to his wife and shared gushing posts about Nicola as well as her family.

Beckham kids pose
Harper joined her older brothers for the family outing(Image: romeobeckham/Instagram)

The biggest blow is said to have been when Brooklyn, 26, and Nicola, 30, returned to the UK for a photoshoot near to the family home in London but failed to let his family know. Last week, the feud deepened as Brooklyn’s younger brothers Romeo, 22, and Cruz, 20, let their true feelings be known.

Now, the two brothers have taken their stance even further as they spent time with their little sister Harper. Romeo wrapped his arm around his youngest sibling as Harper embraced the former footballer.

The siblings then beamed in another snap as they were joined by brother Cruz and his girlfriend Jackie Apostel, 30, as well as cousin Finlay. They all struck a pose for the family photo as Harper seemed delighted to be spending time with her brothers.

Just last week, reports claimed Romeo and Cruz unfollowed Brooklyn on social media, which insiders branded the “Gen Z version of World War Three”.

“Even when the family have reached out to Brooklyn they have been ignored,” a source told the Sun. “He’s not had contact for months and it feels clear to them that he doesn’t want to make amends.”

Brooklyn and Harper Beckham hug
Brooklyn and Harper had a close bond with each other(Image: instagram)

Initially, it was reported that Brooklyn and Nicola had unfollowed Romeo and Cruz but a friend of Brooklyn’s said that wasn’t the case. “Brooklyn had no idea until he read about it online. It’s possible Romeo and Cruz blocked them, which would make it appear as him no longer following the brothers.”

Shortly after news of the snub broke, Romeo shared Justin Bieber’s Walking Away on his Instagram Stories, captioning it: “Yup.” Meanwhile, Brooklyn posted a photo with Nicola and sister Harper for her birthday, prompting speculation it was an olive branch to the family.

However, it didn’t last long as a friend claimed: “There is too much water under the bridge.” A source also warned at how devastating it would be if Brooklyn had ignored Harper’s birthday as they told MailOnline: “Brooklyn and Harper used to be inseparable.

“He adored her, he hopefully still does, but the problem is that Brooklyn has a track record for ignoring family birthdays now. It would be devastating for Harper not to hear from him. She hasn’t done anything and she’s only 13-years-old.”

Nicola had previously been vocal about her love for sister-in-law Harper as they pair would regularly hang out with each other. She once told PEOPLE that Harper “is my dream little sister.”

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“If I could create the perfect dream little sister, it’s her,” she added. “I’m so blessed I get to have her as my little sister in my life.” Brooklyn was also a big fan of their bond as posted a snap of his wife and sister and captioned the photo: “My girls” as Nicola replied: “My perfect baby sis.”

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Syrian troops enter Druze city of Suwayda after days of deadly clashes

Syrian troops have entered the predominantly Druze city of Suwayda after days of deadly clashes with Bedouin tribes that have killed dozens of people.

The deployment on Tuesday came after the Druze spiritual leadership, which had resisted any deployment of Syrian troops in the southern city, urged Druze fighters to lay down their arms and allow government forces in.

A curfew was to be imposed on the city in a bid to halt the violence, which erupted during the weekend and has since spread across the Suwayda governorate, killing at least 99 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor.

The dead include 60 Druze, including four civilians, 18 Bedouin fighters, 14 security personnel and seven unidentified people in military uniforms, the monitor said. The Ministry of Defence reported 18 deaths among the armed forces.

On Tuesday morning, Syrian military columns were seen advancing towards Suwayda, with heavy artillery deployed nearby. The Defence Ministry later said they had entered the city, and urged people to “stay home and report any movements of outlaw groups”.

It is the first time government forces have deployed to Suwayda since the overthrow of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December and the formation of an interim government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The Druze religious sect is a minority group that originated as a 10th-century offshoot of a branch of Shia Islam. In Syria, the 700,000-strong community primarily resides in the southern Suwayda province and some suburbs of Damascus, mainly in Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya to the south.

Bedouin and Druze factions have a longstanding feud in Suwayda, with violence occasionally erupting.

Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from Deir Az Azor in Syria, said fighting in the city had been ongoing since Friday.

“It escalated and more than two dozen people were killed. The government sent its reinforcements and then there was an ambush of the government troops as well, where at least 18 soldiers we believe were either killed or wounded,” he said.

Bin Javaid said the situation has been exacerbated by Israeli attacks on government positions in Syria.

Israel, which has attempted to portray itself as a protector of the Druze in Syria and sees them as potential allies, bombed several Syrian tanks on Monday.

Stokes cajoles another England classic for the ages

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Ben Stokes knew the date. How could he not?

For 14 July must be etched into his soul – the day in 2019 he wrote his name into British sporting folklore.

While Stokes was winning the World Cup for England at Lord’s, he had the presence of mind to counsel a young Jofra Archer, about to deliver the decisive super over, barely two months into life as an international cricketer.

“Today does not define you,” Stokes famously said. Archer took it to heart. When they were back at the same ground six years later to the day on Monday, a nipper of a third Test against India to win, the pace bowler did not realise the significance.

“I said to him this morning, ‘you know what today is, don’t you?’,” said Stokes.

Archer instead thought it was the anniversary of a famous one-dayer at Lord’s played in 2002, an India win celebrated by Sourav Ganguly twirling his shirt above his head.

Archer can be forgiven. In four years away from Test cricket, dates probably lose importance. If the tension-wracked 22-run defeat of India is most remembered as the match when Archer made his electrifying and triumphant return, those who saw it will know it was orchestrated by Stokes.

The England captain could not have given more. The sweat that glistened on his arms and soaked his shirt as he bowled in the baking heat of Saturday. The, erm, anatomy he risked when struck by Mohammed Siraj on Sunday. The blood seeping through his left sock after another Herculean effort with the ball in Monday’s finale.

“I don’t want to see a pair of them for a while,” said Stokes as he was presented with his bowling boots after finishing his media duties.

On the first evening, when Stokes hobbled around with what appeared to be a groin problem, his performance was convincing enough to draw concerns he might have done himself a serious mischief. On Monday, there were concerns he would never stop bowling.

These marathon spells, once a Stokes trademark, were supposed to be a thing of the past after having both his left knee and hamstring surgically repaired.

On the third evening, Brendon McCullum, possibly the only human on the planet that Stokes would dare not defy, sent Tim Southee to tell the captain to stop bowling after a seven-over stint. Southee, wide grin doing nothing to hide his nerves, did as he was told. So did Stokes.

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“Today was going to be my decision on when I stopped bowling,” said Stokes. “I’m pretty cooked. Bowling to win a Test match for your country on day five, if that doesn’t get you going, I don’t know what will.”

Stokes’ value as a cricketer will never be explained by statistics alone, even though his statistics are supersonic. Only two other men have done the Test double of 6,000 runs and 200 wickets, bona fide legends in Jacques Kallis and Garfield Sobers.

Stokes is better understood through the moments he creates. At Lord’s there were more than usual. The crucial direct-hit run out of Rishabh Pant in India’s first innings, knocking over Akash Deep with the final ball of the fourth day, the same day he created a photographer’s dream of lying prostrate on the pitch after the blow to the unmentionables.

On the fifth day, it was turning his body into an X to appeal for the lbw against Rahul, then willing sub fielder Sam Cook to take the catch as Bumrah’s miscue hung in the air. When Shoaib Bashir bowled last man Siraj and tore off in the direction of St John’s Wood underground station, Stokes was too exhausted to join the rest of the England team in running after him.

There is the question hanging over his batting, which is still experiencing a stodgy search for rhythm, especially against spin. Contributions of 44 and 33 were important, but the latter was interesting for what it did not include, rather than what it did.

With England struggling to build their lead in the second innings, wickets were falling on a difficult surface. There was the anticipation of Stokes flicking his ‘switch’, finding the mode that turns fielders into spectators and spectators into fielders. It never came. The switch is harder to locate these days, like feeling around the wall when the lights are off.

Stokes’ last Test hundred came at Lord’s, two years ago, a day when the switch definitely was flicked after Alex Carey’s controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow in the second Ashes Test.

On that occasion, England used the needle between themselves and the Australians to come from 2-0 down and draw the series. Same venue, more needle, this time between England and India, sparked on Saturday evening and smouldering across the following two days. England looked a better team with fire in their bellies.

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England will need their inner mongrel in Australia, Stokes included. The Australian public has yet to see him at his alpha best. He was a youngster on his first tour in 2013-14, missed 2017-18 because of the Bristol incident and was just returning from a break from cricket in 2021-22. Later this year, England need him to be Douglas Jardine, Ian Botham and Mike Brearley all rolled into one.

They will also need Archer, and the dynamic between fast bowler and captain is likely to be entertaining if Lord’s is anything to go by.

On Friday, as Archer was into his ferocious comeback spell, Stokes tried to take him off, only for Archer to hold up a finger that signalled one more over. Stokes relented.

On Monday morning, Archer indicated he was done, but the captain coaxed another out of his strike bowler. Stokes gave Archer an arm around the shoulder at drinks by way of thanks.

In between, there was an on-field exchange of ideas on Sunday over where Archer wanted Stokes in the field.

“I was at leg slip, and he wanted me to move to mid-on, just so he could talk to me,” said Stokes. “He wanted Brydon Carse to go to leg slip, but I wasn’t trusting Carsey at leg slip.”

At the end of it all, England find themselves 2-1 up with two to play, on the verge of a first win in a five-Test series in seven years.

Familiar doubts over Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley linger, while Bashir’s broken finger presents an unexpected audition for another spinner to usurp him as England’s number one.

India might wonder how they are behind – they have had chances to be 3-0 up. There is a dilemma over when magician Bumrah will next play, while captain Shubman Gill could help himself by winning the toss – he has called incorrectly on all three occasions.

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  • England Men’s Cricket Team
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‘This £8.99 deal saved me £80 on all my handbag beauty essentials including luxe perfume’

Lip balm, hand cream, fragrance… Some products are just everyday essentials, ones you use and need everyday, and always carry around with you – and here’s how to stock up for under £9

Keys? Check. Phone? Check. Perfume, lip balm, hand cream, powder? Check check check – and check. I don’t know about you but I never leave the house without my handbag filled with the beauty essentials I need for the day, ones I use repeatedly time and time again. And I’ve found a way to stock up on all my favourites for less than £9.

OK! Beauty Box’s latest box, the Days Out Edit, is a clever selection of all the beauty items you carry around with you and use the most: a lip balm containing SPF 50 (perfect for summer), and luxurious hand cream, a perfume that costs £112 for a full-size bottle, a shine-absorbing powder, and a brush to apply it with.

The contents are worth over £90 in total but if you haven’t signed up for OK! Beauty Box’s monthly subscription service before, you can get the Days Out Edit for just £8.99 – a cool £81 saving.

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Worth over £90 in total(Image: Laura Mulley)

Here’s what you’ll find inside the box:

  • Hello Sunday The One For Your Lips SPF50 Clear Lip Balm – 10ml full-size, worth £10
  • Bloom & Blossom Hands Up Age-Defying Hand Cream – 25ml travel-size, worth £12
  • KAB Cosmetics Translucent Setting Powder – 6g full-size, worth £23
  • Brushworks No. 6 Double Ended Powder and Buff Brush – full-size, worth £8.99
  • Sentier Eau De Parfum in the scent Meribel – 10ml travel-size, worth £32

You also get a voucher to redeem for two copies of OK! Magazine, RRP £9.20

You get a fancy perfume and a clear lip balm
You get a fancy perfume and a clear lip balm(Image: Laura Mulley)
a hand cream, make-up brush and loose powder
There’s also a hand cream, make-up brush and loose powder(Image: Laura Mulley)

If I had to pick a standout product from this box, I’d probably say the Sentier perfume, not just for how much I love the scent – fresh and crisp – but also its value: this 10ml tube usually costs £32 – way more the the cost of the whole box – whereas a full-size 100ml bottle costs a whopping £112. This makes it a great way to try a luxe scent for less, and in a handbag-friendly bottle.

In all honesty, though, there’s not a single product here that I wouldn’t use. I get through lip balms as quick as anything, and I always carry a little hand cream around with me. It’s also perfectly curated for summer and hot weather, with the sun protection in the lip balm and the shine-zapping powder.

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The only thing that you might want to add to make this completely handbag-appropriate is a little make-up bag for the powder and brush, to stop them (and the inside of your bag) from getting dirty. This Charlotte Tilbury Mini Makeup Bag of Dreams, £22, is compact and very luxe-looking, whereas this £5 Bag of Ethics Long Slim Cosmetic Brush Bag from Boots is excellent value.

Peru reopens 3,800-year-old Penico archaeological site for visitors

A 3,800-year-old citadel of the Caral civilisation – one of the world’s oldest – has reopened for visitors in Peru after eight years of comprehensive restoration and research.

Researchers have identified the Penico archaeological site as a vital trading centre that connected early Pacific coastal communities with those in the Andes and Amazon regions.

Located in the Supe Valley, about 180km (110 miles) north of Lima and only 19km (12 miles) from the Pacific Ocean, Penico was an unremarkable hilly landscape until excavations commenced in 2017.

Archaeologists believe the site could provide crucial information about the enigmatic collapse of the Caral civilisation, which flourished between 3,000 and 1,800 BC.

The opening ceremony featured regional artists playing pututus – traditional shell trumpets – as part of an ancient ritual honouring Pachamama, Mother Earth, with ceremonial offerings of agricultural products, coca leaves, and local beverages.

“Penico was an organised urban centre devoted to agriculture and trade between the coast, the mountains and the forest,” archaeologist Ruth Shady, who leads research at the site, told the AFP news agency. She said the settlement dates to between 1,800 and 1,500 BC.

The site demonstrates sophisticated planning, strategically built on a geological terrace 600 metres (2,000ft) above sea level and parallel to a river to avoid flooding.

Research by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture has uncovered 18 distinct structures, including public buildings and residential complexes. Scholars believe Penico was built during the same period as the earliest civilisations in the Middle East and Asia.

According to Shady, researchers hope the site will shed light on the crisis they believe hastened the Caral civilisation’s decline. This crisis, she explained, was linked to climate change that caused droughts and disrupted agricultural activities throughout the region.