MIAMI (Reuters) - Nine more wealthy families and individuals have pledged to give at least half of their fortunes to charity as part of a philanthropic campaign by two of the world's richest men, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. The Giving Pledge, which was launched by Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, and investor Buffett in 2010, said on Tuesday that billionaires joining the campaign included New York-based real estate magnate Stephen Ross.

OMAHA, Neb. - Billionaire investor Warren Buffett encouraged young workers to find jobs they are passionate about as he offered career advice online Tuesday on a variety of topics. Buffett regularly takes time out of schedule to meet with groups of students from about 40 colleges every year and answer their questions on life and business. Buffett likes to compare what he does as chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway to painting a masterpiece on canvas, and because he loves what he does, it doesn't feel like work.

By Jonathan Stempel and Jennifer Ablan OMAHA, Nebraska (Reuters) - Warren Buffett and the board of his conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway Inc are "solidly in agreement" on who should be the company's next chief executive, he said at Berkshire's annual shareholder meeting on Saturday. But Buffett, as with past practice, did not actually name his successor as CEO. Speculation usually focuses on a small group of top Berkshire executives, among them insurance boss Ajit Jain and railroad leader Matt Rose.

Asian markets rose Monday after a strong US jobs report revived optimism over the US economic recovery and drove Wall Street to record highs. Hong Kong shares rose 0.99 percent, or 225.13 points, to close at 22,915.09 while Shanghai advanced 1.16 percent, or 25.67 points, to 2,231.17. Sydney added 0.52 percent, or 26.7 points, to 5,156.2. Tokyo and Bangkok were closed for holidays.