{
  "id": 3158803,
  "title": "Malaysia’s Merdeka 118 climbers face US charges after scaling Empire State Building to propose",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/malaysias-merdeka-118-climbers-face-us-charges-after-scaling-empire",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T01:12:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2026/08/25/malaysias-merdeka-118-climbers-face-us-charges-after-scaling-empire-state-building-to-propose/232538"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 25, a couple who scaled the Empire State Building on July 1 and got engaged appeared in a New York court. Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, and Angelina Nikolau, 33, face a variety of charges after their viral stunt. The pair, dressed in black with their faces concealed, unfurled a banner at the summit declaring their belief that love could triumph over power. At the pinnacle, Kuznetsov proposed to Nikolau, who accepted before they kissed in front of a swarm of news helicopters. At the court hearing, the couple appeared in black leather jackets with jeans, standing by their lawyers. Outside, they shared a lengthy 10-second kiss in front of reporters and spectators. The couple have gained a substantial online following due to their unlawful climbing endeavors and starred in a Netflix documentary about their adventures. They have faced charges including reckless endangerment, burglary, and criminal mischief, and have insisted that their actions were a form of art. They have not yet entered a plea and have a follow-up hearing scheduled for September 29. Access to higher areas of the Empire State Building is restricted, despite the presence of a public observation deck.",
  "summary": "NEW YORK, Aug 25 — A couple who climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and got engaged appeared in a New...",
  "key_points": [
    "Ivan Kuznetsov and Angelina Nikolau climbed Empire State Building on July 1.",
    "They proposed to each other at the summit and kissed in front of media.",
    "Charges include reckless endangerment, burglary, and criminal mischief."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}