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.
Chrissy Teigen Shares Photos of Her Kids, and People Keep Noticing the Same Worrying Detai
Chrissy Teigen recently shared a series of sweet photos capturing her two youngest children. While many people found the pictures adorable, others spotted a concerning detail. They quickly commented on it, causing a stir in the comments.
The 38-year-old model shared a series of photos on her Instagram account featuring her two youngest children—daughter Esti, 18 months, and son Wren, 13 months. “Almost home to you!!!! Grateful to our household of love who fills our iCloud album daily while we bring home the bacon,” she wrote, adding a playful note about her husband, John Legend, calling him “the luxe pancetta.”
In the first photo, Wren is sitting on the floor, sipping from a cup, surrounded by his toys, including a small Target shopping cart. The following two pictures capture Esti playing with a hairless cat and sitting at a piano, wearing a pink dress with a matching headband.
The series of photos continues with a shot of Wren grinning at the camera while enjoying a plate of pasta. Teigen has been on the go this summer, recently returning from a trip to Paris where she watched the 2024 Summer Olympics. During the trip, her choice of outfit stirred up some controversy. She returned home from her European travels last week, sharing on Instagram that she was “back with my littles.”
While many people commented on how adorable Teigen’s children look, some were worried about the model being away from her kids so often. “How many nannies do you have? I bet you miss your mom being there with you,” one follower wrote. “I’m sure the kids would rather have their parents at home. Do you really need to work another day in your life?” another asked.
But most people supported Teigen as a working mom and noted how beautiful her kids looked. “Happy parents = happy kids,” someone commented. “Enjoy seeing your beautiful family! Always looking so happy and smiling,” another user wrote. “Cuteness overload!!! These pics are sweet like sugar, just like the whole family,” another follower agreed.
When Chrissy Teigen shared unfiltered photos from her family vacation, many praised her for not being ashamed of her “mom body.” She embraced her body’s “imperfections” and inspired many women who might be worried about how their bodies look after having children. Many people left warm comments on her pictures, thanking her for being so honest and open.
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