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.
Jennifer Lopez Breaks Silence After Divorce From Ben Affleck — People Notice the Same Thing
Jennifer Lopez has made a buzzworthy return to social media following her divorce filing from Ben Affleck. On Friday, August 23, the 55-year-old Atlas star took to her Instagram Stories, reposting a dazzling selfie. Eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed something unusual in the picture: is there a hidden message in J. Lo’s post? Fans are on high alert, and the internet is buzzing with theories.
Jennifer Lopez is turning heads as she steps back into the spotlight amid her divorce from Ben Affleck. On Friday, Aug. 23, the superstar shared a glamorous selfie on her Instagram Stories—her first post since filing for divorce earlier that week, coinciding with what would have been the couple’s second wedding anniversary.
In the captivating snapshot, Lopez, exudes confidence with voluminous honey blonde curls and flawless makeup. Draped in a pale pink, fuzzy tracksuit, she looks radiant and at ease, despite the personal upheaval. The festive scene is completed with a lit-up Christmas tree in the background.
Interestingly, fans quickly identified the image as a repost from a fan account, speculating that it was originally taken during a December 2020 hair-and-makeup session with celebrity stylist Chris Appleton. In the original post, Appleton celebrated the look with the caption, “Ending the year with a bang ✨.”
The timing and choice of the photo have sparked intrigue. The choice to resurface this particular photo now has sparked speculation. Is Lopez sending a message with this glam throwback as she steps into a new chapter of her life?
However, as the picture went viral, comments underneath the post began to resurface, and many were surprisingly harsh on the star. One user commented, “Ending the year? It’s only August! Anyway, way to raise unrealistic beauty standards with filters,” pointing out the confusion over the timing and critiquing the use of filters. Another commenter added, “What’s on the inside is what counts, J. Lo,” hinting that during such a challenging time, she should focus more on her inner self rather than her outward appearance.
Many commenters went beyond the surface beauty of the photos and touched on the recent divorce announcement. One user remarked, “Two sides to every coin/story. It almost always lies somewhere in between. I love me some J. Lo, always have. There is a reason both of them can’t hold down a good relationship,” suggesting deeper issues behind the split. Another comment bluntly stated, “She loves the publicity more than Ben,” hinting at Lopez’s supposed preference for the spotlight over her relationship.
These reactions underscore the mixed feelings some fans have about the star’s personal life, especially in light of her high-profile divorce.
Here’s the heartbreaking reason why Jennifer and Ben Affleck divorced.
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