Nobel laureate backs Chen, bets go against

TAIPEI: An influential Taiwan Nobel laureate threw his weight behind President Chen Shui-bian in the cliffhanger presidential election, but underground gamblers were betting on a victory for his challenger in the two-horse race. 

Just two days before voters go to the polls, Chen said his priority if returned to office would be to seek better ties with arch-foe China, which claims the island as a breakaway province.