New Zealand’s hot migration risks fanning inflation, forcing rates even higher

By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) -Gastroenterologist Wesley Kasen arrived in Hawke’s Bay New Zealand in February with his wife Marnie, two kids and dog from Colorado. Their arrival filled a vacancy at the local hospital. The Kasens are part of a migrant boom helping to ease the country’s acute labour shortages – a relief for…

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Turkey’s Erdogan doesn’t flinch in fight for political life

By Orhan Coskun and Birsen Altayli ANKARA (Reuters) – With his two-decade rule in the balance, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has pulled out all the stops on the campaign trail as he battles to survive his toughest political test yet and shield his legacy from an emboldened opposition. Erdogan, the son of a sea captain,…

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Yellen warns of ‘constitutional crisis’ if Congress fails to act on debt

By Tyler Clifford and John Kruzel WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Sunday issued a stark warning that a failure by Congress to act on the debt ceiling could trigger a “constitutional crisis” that also would call into question the federal government’s creditworthiness. Yellen sounded the alarm over possible financial market consequences if…

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Japan’s PM tells South Koreans his ‘heart hurts’ over pain caused by occupation

By Choonsik Yoo, Hyonhee Shin and Sakura Murakami SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told South Koreans on Sunday his “heart hurts” when he thinks of suffering and pain during Japanese colonial rule, in a nod to historical disputes that have soured relations between the two U.S. allies. Kishida was in Seoul for the…

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Saudi Arabia economy grew 3.9% in Q1 boosted by non-oil activities

DUBAI (Reuters) -Saudi Arabia’s economy grew by 3.9% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023, according to initial government estimates of real gross domestic product published on Sunday. Non-oil activities grew by 5.8% in the first quarter from a year prior, the General Authority for Statistics said, citing flash estimates, while oil activities grew by…

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Warren Buffett faults handling of bank failures, upbeat on U.S., Berkshire

By Jonathan Stempel, Carolina Mandl and John McCrank OMAHA/NEW YORK (Reuters) – Warren Buffett on Saturday criticized the handling of recent tumult in the banking sector and said a debt ceiling showdown could bring “turmoil” to the financial system, even as he offered a vote of confidence in the United States and his conglomerate Berkshire…

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Buffett’s Berkshire posts $35.5 billion profit, buys back more stock

By Jonathan Stempel OMAHA, Nebraska (Reuters) – Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc posted a $35.5 billion first-quarter profit on Saturday, reflecting gains from stocks such as Apple Inc, while higher investment income and a rebound at car insurer Geico bolstered operating results. Berkshire also sped up repurchases of its own stock, buying back $4.4 billion,…

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Warren Buffett says Berkshire not planning to buy Occidental Petroleum

By Jonathan Stempel and Carolina Mandl OMAHA, Nebraska (Reuters) – Warren Buffett said on Saturday that Berkshire Hathaway Inc is not planning to acquire Occidental Petroleum Corp but remains happy with its large investment in the oil company. Speaking at Berkshire’s annual shareholder meeting, Buffett rejected speculation that Berkshire would buy Occidental after having accumulated…

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