Packaging for a few of the 100,000 SIM cards seized by the US Secret Service at multiple sites within a 55km radius of the UN in New York. AP
Packaging for a few of the 100,000 SIM cards seized by the US Secret Service at multiple sites within a 55km radius of the UN in New York. AP
Packaging for a few of the 100,000 SIM cards seized by the US Secret Service at multiple sites within a 55km radius of the UN in New York. AP
Packaging for a few of the 100,000 SIM cards seized by the US Secret Service at multiple sites within a 55km radius of the UN in New York. AP

US authorities stop alleged plot to shut down New York telecoms during UN summit


  • English
  • Arabic

The US Secret Service on Tuesday said it had dismantled a network of electronic devices that could have crashed New York's telecoms network in an attack ahead of the UN General Assembly.

The protective agency did not say who was responsible for the sophisticated material but linked it to “nation-state” actors and “individuals that are known to federal law enforcement”.

ABC News quoted a law enforcement source briefed on the investigation as saying officials “believe the plot is connected to the Chinese government”.

“The potential for disruption to our country's telecoms posed by this network of devices cannot be overstated,” Secret Service director Sean Curran said.

In a statement released shortly before President Donald Trump began addressing world leaders at the UN headquarters in New York, the Secret Service said the network of devices was uncovered after threats were made against senior US officials.

“In addition to carrying out anonymous telephonic threats, these devices could be used to conduct a wide range of telecoms attacks,” the agency said.

“This includes disabling cell phone towers, enabling denial of services attacks and facilitating anonymous, encrypted communication between potential threat actors and criminal enterprises.”

Secret Service special agent Matt McCool said the agency was “working towards identifying those responsible and their intent, including whether their plan was to disrupt the UN General Assembly”.

Mr McCool said no arrests have been made so far.

He said the investigation that led to the seizure of the electronics began this spring in an effort to identify what he called the “fraudulent calls” made to senior US officials.

300 servers, 100,000 SIM cards

The Secret Service said the devices it seized were located within a 55km radius of the UN and included 300 computer servers and 100,000 SIM cards across multiple sites.

“Given the timing, location and potential for significant disruption to New York telecoms posed by these devices, the agency moved quickly to disrupt this network,” it said.

“Early analysis indicates cellular communications between nation-state threat actors and individuals that are known to federal law enforcement,” it said.

The New York Times said an initial analysis of data on SIM cards has identified ties to “at least one foreign nation”, as well as drug cartel members.

The newspaper said 80 grams of cocaine and illegal firearms had been found at locations where the electronic devices were found.

Dismantled electronic devices that the US Secret Service says could have crashed New York's telecoms network. AFP
Dismantled electronic devices that the US Secret Service says could have crashed New York's telecoms network. AFP
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Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay
Translated by Arunava Sinha
Tilted Axis Press 

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

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2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

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Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
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PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP

Men’s: 
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)

Women's: 
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Company: Justmop.com

Date started: December 2015

Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan

Sector: Technology and home services

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai

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Date started: July 2020

Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: HealthTech

# of staff: 10

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Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

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Date started: early 2020

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RESULT

Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: 
Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)    

How to get exposure to gold

Although you can buy gold easily on the Dubai markets, the problem with buying physical bars, coins or jewellery is that you then have storage, security and insurance issues.

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However, buying individual equities like these is highly risky, as their share prices can crash just as quickly, which isn't what what you want from a supposedly safe haven.

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Updated: September 23, 2025, 5:45 PM