The four outer boroughs now use the 718 area code--but the number shortage is now squeezing the heart of the city: Manhattan.

ECONOMIST: The sexiest code on earth

So Nynex, hardly the most popular local telephone company in America, knew it was in for a scrap when it recently unveiled a plan to deprive some Manhattanites of their treasured 212 area code--arguably the only local telephone code that is recognised from Tokyo to Tomsk.

ECONOMIST: The sexiest code on earth

Before a crowd of 400, with music blaring and bright lights pulsing, four entrepreneur finalists, screened for their business plans, competed in a speed round of area code numbers for high-tech centers from west to east.

FORBES: Funds And Games

Calling themselves the 414 Gang after their area code, the culprits embarked on a nine-day spree, hitting 60 computing systems before being caught by the FBI.

CNN: The digital century: Software and the Internet

Others are eyeing the same area, and Pfizer recently published a study showing that a leukotriene blocker code-named CP 105, 696 slashed artery buildup in mice.

FORBES: Attacking Heart Attacks

Blatter also announced that Wada has declared Fifa compliant with its world anti-doping code in all areas, except for one area regarding injured players and when they can resume practising with their clubs.

BBC: Fifa approves Team GB compromise

The area covered by Breezy Point's ZIP Code had the largest percentage of New York City households that received a Sandy-related disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration, which are used for long-term rebuilding, including elevating homes.

WSJ: Reshaping Shore Homes