AP PHOTOS: Contestants haul heavy sacks of coal in unusual Yorkshire tradition

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AP PHOTOS: Contestants haul heavy sacks of coal in unusual Yorkshire tradition

2025-04-24 22:15 Last Updated At：22:22

YORKSHIRE, England (AP) — Contestants in Yorkshire competed on Monday in the “World Coal Carrying Championships,” racing with heavy sacks of coal on their back. Women carried 20 kilograms (44 pounds) while men carried 50kg (110 pounds) along a 1.1-kilometer (0.68-mile) course in Ossett, Yorkshire, in a uniquely British Easter tradition.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

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Brett Spencer gestures to the crowd as he makes his way to the finish line carrying a 50kg sack of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Contestant Brett Guilfoyle drinks a beer after competing in the World Coal Carrying Championships, where contestants carry a 50 kg bag of coal for just over a kilometre, in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant reacts after competing in the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant carrying a 50kg sack of coal passes a road sign at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Contestants in the men's veterans race make for the finish carrying 50kg sacks of coal at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

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A contestant drops his bag after racing a 1.1 km course with a 50kg sack of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the men's open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Verity Rees from Windermere, Florida, center, holds her trophy after winning the women's open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Winner Ferne Gardener reacts after racing with a 20kg sack of coal for over 1km during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race contestants react at the finish after running with 20kg sacks of coal over a 1.1 km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race contestants make their way to the finish line, each carrying a 20kg sack of coal, at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show "Gladiators," reacts after finishing the women's open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race competitors, including winner Ferne Gardner, front, No. 11, run with a 20kg sack of coal over a 1.1km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A competitor takes a drink after finishing her run in the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Verity Rees from Windermere, Florida, loads up a 20kg sack of coal on her way to winning the women's open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Contestants take off from the start line carrying 50kg sacks of coal along a 1.1km course at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Volunteers from Ossett Rugby Club prepare to load contestants with sacks of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race competitors, including Jodie Ounsley, center, who plays Fury in the British TV show "Gladiators," run with a 20kg sack of coal over a 1.1km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

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Brett Spencer gestures to the crowd as he makes his way to the finish line carrying a 50kg sack of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Contestant Brett Guilfoyle drinks a beer after competing in the World Coal Carrying Championships, where contestants carry a 50 kg bag of coal for just over a kilometre, in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant reacts after competing in the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant carrying a 50kg sack of coal passes a road sign at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Contestants in the men's veterans race make for the finish carrying 50kg sacks of coal at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant drops his bag after racing a 1.1 km course with a 50kg sack of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the men's open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Verity Rees from Windermere, Florida, center, holds her trophy after winning the women's open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Winner Ferne Gardener reacts after racing with a 20kg sack of coal for over 1km during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race contestants react at the finish after running with 20kg sacks of coal over a 1.1 km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race contestants make their way to the finish line, each carrying a 20kg sack of coal, at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show "Gladiators," reacts after finishing the women's open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race competitors, including winner Ferne Gardner, front, No. 11, run with a 20kg sack of coal over a 1.1km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A competitor takes a drink after finishing her run in the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Verity Rees from Windermere, Florida, loads up a 20kg sack of coal on her way to winning the women's open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Contestants take off from the start line carrying 50kg sacks of coal along a 1.1km course at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Volunteers from Ossett Rugby Club prepare to load contestants with sacks of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race competitors, including Jodie Ounsley, center, who plays Fury in the British TV show "Gladiators," run with a 20kg sack of coal over a 1.1km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

NATO weighs a US demand to massively hike defense spending as some struggle to meet the current goal

2025-05-15 16:11 Last Updated At：16:21

ANTALYA, Turkey (AP) — NATO foreign ministers on Thursday debated an American demand to massively ramp up defense investment to 5% of gross domestic product over the next 7 years, as the U.S. focuses on security challenges outside of Europe.

At talks in Antalya, Turkey, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that more investment and military equipment are needed to deal with the threat posed by Russia and terrorism, but also by China which has become the focus of U.S. concern.

“When it comes to the core defense spending, we need to do much, much more,” Rutte told reporters. He underlined that once the war in Ukraine is over, Russia could reconstitute its armed forces within 3-5 years.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio underlined that “the alliance is only as strong as its weakest link.” He insisted that the U.S. investment demand is about “spending money on the capabilities that are needed for the threats of the 21st century.”

The debate on defense spending is heating up ahead of a summit of U.S. President Donald Trump and his NATO counterparts in the Netherlands on June 24-25. It's a high-level gathering that will set the course for future European security, including that of Ukraine.

In 2023, as Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine entered its second year, NATO leaders agreed to spend at least 2% of GDP on national defense budgets. So far, 22 of the 32 member countries have done so.

The new spending plan under consideration is for all allies to aim for 3.5% of GDP on their defense budgets by 2032, plus an extra 1.5% on potentially defense-related things like infrastructure — roads, bridges, air- and sea ports.

While the two figures add up to 5%, factoring in infrastructure and cybersecurity would change the basis on which NATO traditionally calculates defense spending. The seven-year time frame is also short by the alliance’s usual standards.

Rutte refused to confirm the numbers under consideration, but he acknowledged that it's important to include infrastructure in the equation, “for example to make sure that bridges, yes, are there for you and me to drive our cars but also if necessary to make sure that the bridge will hold a tank. So all these expenditures have to be taken into account.”

It’s difficult to see how many members would reach a new 3.5% goal. Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Italy, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain are not even spending 2% yet, although Spain does expect to reach that goal in 2025, a year past the deadline.

The U.S. demand would require investment at an unprecedented scale, but Trump has cast doubt over whether the U.S. would defend allies that spend too little, and this remains an incentive to do more, even as European allies realize that they must match the threat posed by Russia.

“There is a lot at stake for us,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said. He urged his NATO partners to meet the investment goals faster than the 2032 target "because we see the tempo and the speed, how Russia generates its forces now as we speak.”

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said his country should reach 2.5% by 2027, and then 3% by the next U.K. elections planned for 2029.

“It’s hugely important that we recommit to Europe’s defense and that we step up alongside our U.S. partners in this challenging geopolitical moment where there are so many precious across the world, and particularly in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

As an organization, NATO plays no direct security role in Asia, and it remains unclear what demands the Trump administration might make of the allies as it turns its attention to China. The last NATO security operation outside the Euro-Atlantic area, its 18-year stay in Afghanistan, ended in chaos.

Cook reported from Brussels, and Fraser from Ankara, Turkey.

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AP PHOTOS: Contestants haul heavy sacks of coal in unusual Yorkshire tradition

AP PHOTOS: Contestants haul heavy sacks of coal in unusual Yorkshire tradition

Brett Spencer gestures to the crowd as he makes his way to the finish line carrying a 50kg sack of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Contestant Brett Guilfoyle drinks a beer after competing in the World Coal Carrying Championships, where contestants carry a 50 kg bag of coal for just over a kilometre, in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant reacts after competing in the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant carrying a 50kg sack of coal passes a road sign at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Contestants in the men's veterans race make for the finish carrying 50kg sacks of coal at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant drops his bag after racing a 1.1 km course with a 50kg sack of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the men's open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Verity Rees from Windermere, Florida, center, holds her trophy after winning the women's open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Winner Ferne Gardener reacts after racing with a 20kg sack of coal for over 1km during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race contestants react at the finish after running with 20kg sacks of coal over a 1.1 km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race contestants make their way to the finish line, each carrying a 20kg sack of coal, at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show "Gladiators," reacts after finishing the women's open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show "Gladiators," reacts after finishing the women's open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show "Gladiators," reacts after finishing the women's open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race competitors, including winner Ferne Gardner, front, No. 11, run with a 20kg sack of coal over a 1.1km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A competitor takes a drink after finishing her run in the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Verity Rees from Windermere, Florida, loads up a 20kg sack of coal on her way to winning the women's open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Contestants take off from the start line carrying 50kg sacks of coal along a 1.1km course at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Volunteers from Ossett Rugby Club prepare to load contestants with sacks of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race competitors, including Jodie Ounsley, center, who plays Fury in the British TV show "Gladiators," run with a 20kg sack of coal over a 1.1km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Brett Spencer gestures to the crowd as he makes his way to the finish line carrying a 50kg sack of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Contestant Brett Guilfoyle drinks a beer after competing in the World Coal Carrying Championships, where contestants carry a 50 kg bag of coal for just over a kilometre, in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant reacts after competing in the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant carrying a 50kg sack of coal passes a road sign at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Contestants in the men's veterans race make for the finish carrying 50kg sacks of coal at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant drops his bag after racing a 1.1 km course with a 50kg sack of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the men's open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Verity Rees from Windermere, Florida, center, holds her trophy after winning the women's open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Winner Ferne Gardener reacts after racing with a 20kg sack of coal for over 1km during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race contestants react at the finish after running with 20kg sacks of coal over a 1.1 km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race contestants make their way to the finish line, each carrying a 20kg sack of coal, at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show "Gladiators," reacts after finishing the women's open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show "Gladiators," reacts after finishing the women's open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Jodie Ounsley, who plays Fury in the British TV show "Gladiators," reacts after finishing the women's open category race at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race competitors, including winner Ferne Gardner, front, No. 11, run with a 20kg sack of coal over a 1.1km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A competitor takes a drink after finishing her run in the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Verity Rees from Windermere, Florida, loads up a 20kg sack of coal on her way to winning the women's open category at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Contestants take off from the start line carrying 50kg sacks of coal along a 1.1km course at the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

A contestant loads a 50kg bag of coal onto his shoulders during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Volunteers from Ossett Rugby Club prepare to load contestants with sacks of coal during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Women's race competitors, including Jodie Ounsley, center, who plays Fury in the British TV show "Gladiators," run with a 20kg sack of coal over a 1.1km course during the World Coal Carrying Championships in Ossett, West Yorkshire, England, Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

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