In the heart of Lower Manhattan, an unusual 29-story skyscraper, devoid of windows, stands tall and mysterious. Its code name is Titanpointe, and it is located at 33 Thomas Street. This building has baffled New Yorkers for years.
The building, constructed in 1974, was designed to withstand atomic blasts and was initially intended to house vital telecommunications equipment. It was envisioned as a communication nerve center, fortified against nuclear threats, by the architectural firm John Carl Warnecke & Associates.
This imposing structure, a gray tower of concrete and granite soaring 550 feet into the New York skyline, remains, unlike any other building in its vicinity. Unlike neighboring residential and office buildings, it does not have a single window and remains unilluminated. At night, it takes on an eerie presence, and by day it casts a giant shadow, its square vents emitting a faint hum, often drowned out by the city’s bustling sounds.
For decades, 33 Thomas Street, also nicknamed the “Long Lines Building,” has captured the imagination of New Yorkers as one of the city’s weirdest and most iconic skyscrapers. But the true purpose of this enigmatic structure has remained largely concealed, shrouded in secrecy.
The Secret Behind 33 Thomas Street
Beyond its enigmatic exterior, 33 Thomas Street conceals a deeper secret. This building appears to be more than just a telecommunications hub. Evidence from documents obtained by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, along with architectural plans and interviews with former AT&T employees, suggests that 33 Thomas Street served as an NSA surveillance site, code-named Titanpointe.
The NSA’s involvement goes beyond mere speculation. Inside the building, there’s a major international gateway switch that routes phone calls between the U.S. and countries worldwide. The NSA is believed to have tapped into these calls from a secure facility within the AT&T building. This covert surveillance program has targeted not only international organizations like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank but also numerous countries, including U.S. allies.
While AT&T has cooperated with the NSA on surveillance, few details have emerged about the specific role of facilities like 33 Thomas Street in carrying out top-secret programs. The Snowden documents, however, provide unprecedented insight into how NSA equipment has been integrated into AT&T’s network in New York City. This integration reveals the methods and technology employed by the agency to gather communications data from the company’s systems.
The NSA’s presence within this iconic skyscraper raises questions about the boundaries of surveillance in the modern world. As Elizabeth Goitein, co-director of the liberty and national security program at the Brennan Center for Justice, points out, “This is yet more proof that our communications service providers have become, whether willingly or unwillingly, an arm of the surveillance state.” The deep integration of the NSA within domestic communications infrastructure challenges the notion that such surveillance can be neatly confined to non-American targets.
The Heartbreaking Reason Why Jennifer Lopez Filed for Divorce From Ben Affleck
The Hollywood power couple’s married life has sadly ended after two years. While the news of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s divorce has left fans heartbroken, many wonder why things went south for the couple. Sources close to Lopez have revealed what made Jennifer file for divorce.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck separated months ago.
On 20th August 2024, Lopez, who is the mother of 16-year-old twins Emme and Max, filed for divorce at the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The documents listed their separation date as April 26, 2024.
Throughout the summer, Lopez and Affleck, who has three children with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner, spent much of their time apart.
Why Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Ben Affleck
A source has revealed Jennifer “was done waiting.” Though she made efforts to make the relationship work, she felt heartbroken. “She tried really hard to make things work and is heartbroken,” the source shared. “The kids are a top priority, as they always have been.”
Jennifer is ready to move on.
The couple’s divorce news comes two years after their intimate Las Vegas wedding on July 16, 2022. August 20 also marked the second anniversary of their larger ceremony in Georgia.
According to an insider close to Lopez, she is ready to “move on” from Affleck. “She’s very disappointed and sad, but Ben hasn’t given her any signs that he wants to continue their marriage,” the insider said.
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