RACE IS A GEOGRAPHIC BATTLE.(PERSPECTIVE)

Byline: JAY GALLAGHER

A poll released last week confirmed the impression that this year's race for governor has turned the state upside down. But the actions of the two major candidates suggested that they're trying to right the situation.

In typical statewide races, the Democratic candidates win big in New York City, while the Republican does well upstate and also in the suburbs.

Winning depends on maximizing the margins in strong areas and keeping it close on the other guy's turf.

But while the Quinnipiac poll showed Republican George Pataki ahead of Democrat H. Carl McCall by 11 points statewide, he's much closer to McCall in New York …

WHISTLING BUILDING FINED BY NEW YORK CITY.(Local)

Byline: The New York Times

For the first time in the history of New York City, a building is being fined for whistling.

Cityspire, a 72-story residential and commercial tower on West 56th Street off Seventh Avenue, is being cited for generating a high-pitched whistle that neighbors throughout midtown say is driving them crazy. The whistle is similar to the piping sound made by blowing across the neck of a soda bottle.

In recent weeks, the city Department of Environmental Protection, which levied …

Correction: Reappearing Sea story

In a story sent in advance for Oct. 26 about efforts to save the Aral Sea, The Associated Press erroneously reported that …

Cruise, Holmes Leave for Honeymoon

BRACCIANO, Italy - Officially, they got married in Los Angeles, but the spectacle of the wedding between Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes was here, in a 15th-century castle that evoked fairy tales and lit up with red, white and green fireworks for a cheering, celebrity-laden crowd.

There were fireworks inside, too, a "never-ending kiss" between the betrothed after they exchanged vows Saturday. The kiss lasted so long it caused guests to shout "stop, stop!" said Giorgio Armani, who attended the wedding and designed the outfits of the bride, the groom and their baby, Suri.

The couple flew out of Rome Sunday for a honeymoon in the Maldives, said Ciampino airport spokesman Adriano …

National City Card Services.

National City Card Services has introduced a new credit card designed to benefit school districts in Michigan, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Use of the Visa Classic card will …

Saints' cup defence comes to end.

ST Louis' grip on the Carnegie Schools' Cup is over.

The Cullybackey Road school, the holders of the trophy, were beaten 2-0 by St Mary's, Belfast, in their semi-final replay at Antrim Forum last Wednesday.

"We had a strong breeze in our favour in the first half but didn't really take advantage of it and were a goal down at half-time," said Saints coach John Sexton.

"But we played much better in the second half and if we had …

CHINESE INFLUENCE ATTACKED.(MAIN)

Byline: JILL ZUCKMAN Boston Globe

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., dramatically opened hearings into campaign fund-raising Tuesday by charging that the Chinese government poured ``substantial sums'' of illegal money into U.S. political campaigns during the 1996 elections to influence politicians and promote Chinese interests.

Sen. John Glenn, D-Ohio, made a surprise announcement that John Huang, the key to questions about China and the presidential campaign, had offered to testify before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.

Huang, who was an employee of the Indonesia-based Lippo Group before working as a political appointee at the Commerce Department and as a fund-raiser at the Democratic National Committee, said he would tell the committee whatever it wants …