Two people were arrested on Wednesday after climbing the antenna of New York City’s Empire State Building and displaying a banner carrying a message promoting peace, prompting questions about how they gained access to one of the city’s most heavily secured landmarks.

The climbers, dressed in black and wearing face coverings, reached the narrow upper section of the skyscraper’s antenna, which extends the building’s height to 443 metres above Midtown Manhattan. Television news helicopters captured the pair standing on a narrow ledge, where they appeared to embrace and kiss while a banner fluttered in the wind.

The banner displayed the message: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”

Shortly after 12:30 p.m., the pair began descending from the antenna, carefully making their way through the metal framework to a wider platform. Video footage showed one individual appearing to set up a small electronic device before kneeling, while the other later took photographs resembling engagement-style selfies. The two embraced again before continuing their descent.

Police officers took both individuals into custody shortly after 1 p.m. Authorities did not immediately release their identities or provide details about the charges they may face. Police confirmed that no injuries were reported during the incident.

The unusual stunt drew the attention of pedestrians and office workers nearby, many of whom gathered outside the landmark to watch the unfolding scene.

Jonathan Roman, a tourist visiting New York from Glasgow, Scotland, said he and his teenage son had planned to visit one of the building’s observation decks but found access temporarily restricted because of the incident.

“It’s crazy, it’s like being in the movies,” Roman said, adding that witnessing the dramatic climb turned out to be an unexpected attraction.

The incident also raised concerns among employees working inside the Empire State Building, where visitors undergo security screening before entering. Building regulations prohibit guests from bringing large packages, sports equipment, costumes and masks, among other restricted items.

Jessica Kaplan, who works in an office located inside the skyscraper, expressed surprise that the pair had managed to reach the antenna despite the building’s extensive security measures.

Building management described the climb as an unauthorized act and said the incident did not pose a danger to occupants or visitors. Officials did not immediately explain how the climbers accessed the antenna or whether they had encountered security personnel before reaching the restricted area.

The Empire State Building has attracted daredevils on several occasions over the years. Most climbs have been carried out without authorization, although actor and musician Jared Leto was granted permission in 2023 to climb to the base of the antenna from the building’s 86th floor as part of a promotional event for a concert tour.

Authorities are continuing to investigate how Wednesday’s climbers reached the restricted section of the iconic skyscraper.

A growing number of Europeans expect their standard of living to decline over the next five years as rising prices and the cost of living remain the biggest concerns across the European Union, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey released on Tuesday.

The poll, which gathered responses from more than 26,000 people across all EU member states, found that 29% of respondents believe their personal standard of living will worsen during the next five years. Only 18% expect their financial situation to improve, highlighting increasing uncertainty about the economic outlook.

The survey also revealed significant differences between age groups. Economic pessimism was highest among people aged 55 and older, with 34% expecting their living standards to decline. Among younger respondents, only 17% shared the same outlook.

Views also varied considerably across member states. Western European countries generally recorded higher levels of concern than nations in Central and Eastern Europe.

France reported the highest level of pessimism, with 44% of respondents expecting their financial circumstances to deteriorate. Portugal, Germany and Austria also recorded relatively high levels of concern.

By contrast, respondents in several Central and Eastern European countries expressed greater confidence about the future. Only 9% of people surveyed in Poland expected their living standards to worsen, while Hungary recorded the lowest level of economic pessimism in the bloc at 8%.

The survey also pointed to differences in public attitudes toward the European Union.

Across the bloc, half of respondents said they held a positive view of the EU, while 17% expressed a negative opinion. However, support for the union was weaker in countries including France, Austria, Greece and the Czech Republic.

France and Austria also ranked among the least convinced that EU membership has benefited their countries. Only 62% of respondents in both nations believed membership had produced a positive overall outcome. Bulgaria recorded the lowest figure, with 57% expressing that view.

A European Parliament official familiar with the findings said economic uncertainty and persistent inflation may be influencing public perceptions of the EU in some member states, where political parties critical of the bloc have gained support in recent years.

The survey found that inflation, rising prices and the cost of living have become the dominant issues Europeans want the European Parliament to address. Nearly half of respondents, or 47%, identified these as their top priority, an increase of six percentage points from the previous survey.

Economic growth and job creation ranked second among voters’ concerns, followed by defence and security as Europe continues to respond to geopolitical tensions.

Looking back over the past year, 27% of respondents said their quality of life had deteriorated, while 62% reported no significant change. Only 11% believed their living standards had improved.

The findings suggest that although economic conditions differ across the EU, concerns over household finances and inflation remain central issues shaping public opinion and expectations for the years ahead.