Washington, Oct 23 : A new University of Missouri study has found that decreasing option-based compensation of chief executive officers (CEOs) help in reducing risky investments.

After the recent credit crunch, people have criticised firms’ large executive pay packages.

In fact, John White, director of the Securities and Exchange Commission''s Division of Corporation Finance, has urged all U. S. companies to consider reduce compensation packages that reward excessive risk-taking by executives.

The new study provides evidence that decreasing stock option-based compensation of CEOs after companies'' earnings restatements leads to a decrease of risky investments and improved profitability.

Taipei - Taiwan's stocks closed 2.72 per cent lower amid a bearish sentiment triggered by Wall Street's sharp overnight losses as well as a dismal global and local economic outlook, dealers said.

The TAIEX index opened nearly 4 per cent lower in response to the overnight fall of Wall Street. Government funds moved by mid-morning to buy strongly, helping to somewhat ease the slide.

The index closed at 4730.51 points, a drop of 132.08 points or 2.72 per cent.

Taipei - Taiwan and China are likely to hold second round of high-level talks in Taipei on November 3, despite a recent attack of a Chinese envoy by pro-independence activists during his visit to the island, a government source said on Thursday.

The Mainland Affairs Council, the island's top China policy planning body, was expected to hold a news conference at 4 p. m. (0800 GMT) in Taipei to announce that top China negotiator Chen Yunlin would arrive in Taiwan for the talks between November 3 and November 7, the source, who requested to remain anonymous, said.

London, Oct 23 : Images in LCD televisions, laptop computers, and other digital devices will soon be much sharper, courtesy the new three-dimensional nanoimaging technique developed by a physics professor at Case Western Reserve University.

The 3D imaging technique, developed by Charles Rosenblatt, professor of physics and macromolecular science at Case Western Reserve University, can give a detailed account of the physical properties of liquid crystals.

The method of 3D optical imaging of anisotropic fluids such as liquid crystals, can provide volumetric resolution one thousand times smaller than existing techniques.

Phnom Penh - Cambodia has appointed former soldier turned journalist Mem Sam An as its first female deputy prime minister, the politician confirmed Thursday.

The 55-year-old, who represents the south-western province of Svay Rieng, was a senior minister in the previous cabinet and said she is honoured by the promotion.

Mem Sam An became part of Cambodian folklore in the 1970s, marshalling troops on the Vietnam border against the Khmer Rouge with what her comrades describe as extraordinary bravery.

Sydney - Investors sold Australian stocks Thursday after a reversal on Wall Street and big falls on Asian markets in the previous session.