A Russian couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner urging world peace before, in an apparent elaborate marriage proposal that ended with their arrests.
Daredevils Angela Nikolau and Vanya Beerkus documented themselves hanging onto the landmark skyscraper's antenna spire 1,454 feet (443 meters) above New York, where they held a black banner with a message in white letters that said: "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace."
The couple then descended to a lower platform on the antenna, where Beerkus appeared to get down on one knee, shortly after which the couple kissed and embraced.
Nikolau could then be seen admiring a ring on her hand and taking photographs of it.
The New York Police Department closed down streets around the building and said the couple had been taken into custody.
An Empire State Building spokesperson described Wednesday's climb as an "unauthorized incident" in a statement.
Nikolau, who has more than a million followers on Instagram, regularly shares herself and Beerkus perched on the top of buildings and other tall structures like bridges.
The couple and their adventures, which have become known as "rooftopping," were the subject of a 2024 Netflix documentary called 'Skywalkers: A Love Story.'
Nikolau's acrobatics run in the family, and her father, the Russian circus artist Dmitriy Nikolau, said he was aware of his daughter's climb.
"I think it is normal to climb up a roof in any country, including the United States, according to any constitution," he said.
Asked if he was worried about her following her arrest, he said: "Why should I be worried? I climb up roofs myself."
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Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
On 1 July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Azerbaijan on a working visit.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway this week in a landmark tour of the Nordic region that reflects Beijing's efforts to strengthen ties with Europe at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
German prosecutors have arrested a German-Rwandan national on suspicion of aiding genocide and 25 counts of murder during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, authorities said on Wednesday (1 July).
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
Mexico ended their 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout win, while Erling Haaland sent Norway through and Kylian Mbappé fired France into the last 16.
The wife and children of Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo were among around 1,700 people who died when two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela last week.
Morocco held their nerve to beat the Netherlands on penalties after a dramatic late equaliser, Gabriel Martinelli spared Brazil's blushes with a stoppage-time winner against Japan, while Paraguay stunned Germany in the tournament's biggest shock to reach the World Cup last 16.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway this week in a landmark tour of the Nordic region that reflects Beijing's efforts to strengthen ties with Europe at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
South African police arrested more than 900 people during nationwide anti-migrant protests on Tuesday (30 June), as demonstrations across the country turned violent in some areas, although most remained peaceful.
German prosecutors have arrested a German-Rwandan national on suspicion of aiding genocide and 25 counts of murder during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, authorities said on Wednesday (1 July).
At least five people have died after a fire swept through a 10-storey apartment building in the Belgian city of Antwerp, authorities said on Wednesday.
Eight Kenyan schoolgirls have pleaded not guilty to murder charges over a dormitory fire that killed 16 fellow students and injured dozens more at a boarding school in the country's Rift Valley region.
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