Hello,
I also have the same problems.
I am new to publisher and started directly with V2 (so I have no comparison with V1). I find it very intuitive and I am finding my way.
I have created a document so far and 3 versions of it. I have had also problems with PSDs. In the first version, the document opened and I got a message that it had broken objects or links (I can't recall the exact name), the file appeared as linked, but it was not visible in the document. Since last night, I couldn't open the latest version and it kept crashing the programme in every attempt.
I also have been exporting PDFs as HQ digital.
In both cases I found that if I went back to Photoshop and saved again, I could see the image in Publisher and in the latest case, the document staid open (for this latest attempt, I rasterised the image). I had to update (as the programme detected a change in the linked file). Mac Monterey.
I only have one image so far (and a couple of shapes), used as background through two masters, the document is only about 10 pages (but is likely to be in the 300 pages side).
It is the combination of rasterised and non rasterised that doesn't work? As I say, I am new and I am finding my way, so any help will be appreciated.
Thank you!