USA

Beginning of article

A number of local newspapers around the country were predicting high voter turnout for what polls suggested was the closest presidential race in decades. But other analysts thought about half of eligible voters would make it to the polls, similar to a low turnout four years ago. George W. Bush and Al Gore, their campaigning concluded, awaited the results in the respective cities of Austin, Texas, and Nashville, Tenn.

The tobacco industry left no doubt it would appeal the $145 billion punitive-damage award in a class-action lawsuit after a Florida judge upheld the verdict Monday. Circuit Judge Robert Kaye concluded - although some analysts didn't agree - that …