* When a namespace is being deleted and spec.finalizers are still being processed, stop returning a 409 conflict error and instead return the object as we would during metadata.finalizer processing. ([#84122](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/84122), [@smarterclayton](https://github.com/smarterclayton))

* Add support for adding/removing finalizer depending on PVC protection feature gate ([#61370](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/61370), [@gnufied](https://github.com/gnufied))

* In case StorageObjectInUse feature is disabled and Persistent Volume (PV) or Persistent Volume Claim (PVC) contains a finalizer and the PV or PVC is deleted it is not automatically removed from the system. Now, it is automatically removed. ([#62938](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/62938), [@pospispa](https://github.com/pospispa))

- Fixes a bug where Services using finalizers may hold onto ClusterIP and/or NodePort allocated resources for longer than expected if the finalizer is removed using the status subresource ([#120655](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/120655), [@aojea](https://github.com/aojea)) [SIG Network and Testing]

- Fixes a bug where Services using finalizers may hold onto ClusterIP and/or NodePort allocated resources for longer than expected if the finalizer is removed using the status subresource ([#120654](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/120654), [@aojea](https://github.com/aojea)) [SIG Testing]

* The OwnerReferencesPermissionEnforcement admission plugin now requires `update` permission on the `finalizers` subresource of the referenced owner in order to set `blockOwnerDeletion` on an owner reference. ([#49133](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/49133), [@deads2k](https://github.com/deads2k))

* fix incorrect prometheus azure metrics ([#77722](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/77722), [@andyzhangx](https://github.com/andyzhangx))
* Fixed a bug in the apiserver storage that could cause just-added finalizers to be ignored on an immediately following delete request, leading to premature deletion. ([#77619](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/77619), [@caesarxuchao](https://github.com/caesarxuchao))

- Pod Finalizers and Conditions updates are skipped for re-scheduling attempts ([#91298](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/91298), [@alculquicondor](https://github.com/alculquicondor)) [SIG Scheduling]

* Fixed a bug in the apiserver storage that could cause just-added finalizers to be ignored on an immediately following delete request, leading to premature deletion. ([#77619](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/77619), [@caesarxuchao](https://github.com/caesarxuchao))

- Set `PodMaxUnschedulableQDuration` as 5 min. ([#108761](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/108761), [@denkensk](https://github.com/denkensk))
- Support in-tree PV deletion protection finalizer. ([#108400](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/108400), [@deepakkinni](https://github.com/deepakkinni))