Broccoli is a great vegetable to have on hand for making delicious dishes like stir-fries, soups, and more. But if you have any broccoli in your freezer, check the label immediately as it may be the subject of a possibly deadly recall, per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
On December 31, 2024, the FDA announced a recall of Braga Fresh’s washed and ready-to-eat 12-ounce bags of Marketside Broccoli Florets due to the possibility of Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
In a notice published on January 27, 2025, the FDA labeled this a Class I recall, which is “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
Listeria is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of infection can include muscle aches, fatigue, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says.
The recalled broccoli florets were sold at Walmart stores in 20 states including Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
The product has a best-by date of December 10, 2024, UPC code of 6 81131 32884 5, and lot code of BFFG327A6. While the best-by date has passed, the FDA is concerned people may have the recalled product in their freezers. If you have the broccoli florets in your kitchen, throw them away immediately.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about a recent recall of broccoli due to the potential risk of listeria contamination. The recall is considered a Class I recall, which means there is a reasonable probability that consuming the product could cause serious health consequences or even death.
Listeria is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues.
Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers for any recalled broccoli products and to dispose of them immediately. It is important to thoroughly clean and sanitize any surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated products to prevent the spread of listeria.
The FDA is working closely with the manufacturer to investigate the source of the contamination and to prevent any further outbreaks. In the meantime, consumers are advised to avoid consuming any broccoli products that may be affected by the recall.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as more information becomes available. Stay safe and always prioritize your health and well-being.
The assistant director at the FBI’s New York field office reportedly told staff in an email that they were in the “middle of a battle” and that it was time for him to “dig in” as the Trump administration targets bureau officials who investigated the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
“Today, we find ourselves in the middle of a battle of our own, as good people are being walked out of the FBI and others are being targeted because they did their jobs in accordance with the law and FBI policy,” wrote James E Dennehy, who has led the New York field office since last September, in an email viewed and reported by the New York Times.
The email came after the justice department’s recent directive to the FBI to compile the names of bureau personnel involved in investigating the 6 January 2021 attack on the Capitol. The justice department also informed FBI leadership last week that eight senior executives at the bureau faced termination.
Since Trump’s inauguration on 20 January, at least nine high-ranking officials at the FBI have been forced out, according to the New York Times.
In his email to staff, Dennehy reportedly said that those removals had spread “fear and angst within the FBI ranks”.
He referred to those who had departed the bureau as “extraordinary individuals” adding: “I mourn the forced retirements.”
Dennehy also reportedly stated his commitment to supporting his staff, and urged them to remain calm and to avoid making hasty decisions regarding their careers.
He also reportedly made it clear that he had no intention of stepping down.
“Time for me to dig in,” he wrote.
Dennehy, who served as an officer in the US Marine Corps for seven years before joining the FBI as a special agent in 2002, reportedly also praised the two top acting officials at the FBI, Brian Driscoll and Robert Kissane, in the email for “fighting” for the agency’s employees.
Dennehy compared the current situation to his experience as a marine in the early 1990s. He recalled digging a small 5ft-deep foxhole where he hunkered down for safety.
“It sucked,” he wrote. “But it worked.”
The uncertainty and turmoil at the FBI comes as the last week, the justice department fired over a dozen federal prosecutors involved in the two criminal cases against Trump, reportedly at the direction of the White House.
The ongoing battle between the FBI and President Trump has reached new heights as the administration continues to purge officials from the agency. In a recent warning to staff, a top agent has cautioned against the growing tensions between the FBI and the White House.
The Trump administration’s efforts to remove key officials from the FBI have raised concerns about the politicization of the agency and the potential impact on its independence. The recent firing of FBI Director James Comey and the removal of Deputy Director Andrew McCabe have only added fuel to the fire.
Despite the challenges facing the agency, the FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the American people. The warning from the top agent serves as a reminder to staff to stay focused on their mission and not be swayed by political pressures.
As the battle between the FBI and President Trump continues to unfold, it is clear that the agency is facing a difficult road ahead. However, with a dedicated staff and a commitment to justice, the FBI remains resolute in its fight to uphold the values of the Constitution and the law.
NV Energy is preparing for an atmospheric river expected to hit northern Nevada starting Friday afternoon, bringing heavy rain, potential flooding, strong winds, and heavy, wet snow in the mountains. The storm is anticipated to last through the weekend and into early next week.
In a message sent to customers on Thursday, NV Energy warned that the severe weather could lead to service outages. The company has increased personnel across its service territories to respond quickly and safely during the storm.
“Our highest priority during the storm is to ensure public and employee safety,” NV Energy said.
Due to the storm’s potential impact, outage times may be longer than usual. NV Energy crews may need to access power lines or equipment on private property for emergency repairs. Customers are advised to verify field employees and contractors by their identification badges.
NV Energy provided several safety tips for customers:
Call 911 if you encounter a downed power line and avoid approaching or touching it.
Report outages at nvenergy.com/outageprep or by calling (775) 834-4444.
Ensure contact information is up to date in MyAccount for faster updates.
Prepare a backup plan if someone in your household is on life support.
Move to higher ground if flash flooding is possible.
Avoid walking or driving through flood water.
Stay away from standing water, which may be electrically charged.
Avoid touching electrical equipment if wet or standing in water.
Review safety rules for portable generators.
Learn how to override electric garage door openers.
Create an emergency kit with essentials like a blanket, flashlight, batteries, and first aid supplies.
Keep refrigerators and freezers closed during outages to preserve food.
For more safety tips, visit nvenergy.com/outageprep. NV Energy thanked customers for their support and urged them to stay safe during the storm.
As an atmospheric river approaches northern Nevada, NV Energy is bracing for potential power outages in the region. The utility company is closely monitoring the situation and preparing for the possibility of strong winds and heavy rainfall that could lead to disruptions in power supply.
Residents are urged to be prepared for potential outages by charging electronic devices, stocking up on essential supplies, and having a plan in place for any emergency situations. NV Energy will be working around the clock to restore power as quickly and safely as possible in the event of any outages.
Stay tuned to local news outlets and NV Energy’s website for updates on the situation and follow any instructions or warnings issued by authorities. Let’s all work together to stay safe and weather this storm.
The outlet reported that the cybercriminals deploy phone calls posing as Google support — complete with a caller ID that looks convincingly legitimate. The technician might say the person’s account has been compromised in some way, or that they are attempting an account recovery.
“She sounded like a real engineer, the connection was super clear, and she had an American accent,” Latta told Forbes. Anadolu via Getty Images
The so-called support agent will then send an email to the user’s Gmail account from what appears to be a legitimate Google email address to confirm the account was compromised and receive a code to recover the account.
For Zach Latta, the founder of the Hack Club, this is where he stopped the elaborate scam.
“She sounded like a real engineer, the connection was super clear, and she had an American accent,” Latta told Forbes.
Despite how real the voice on the other end of the line sounds, however, it is a scheme to trick customers into handing over precious login information to gain access to their accounts.
Garry Tan, the founder of venture capital firm Y Combinator, issued a “public service announcement” on X after receiving convincing phishing emails and phone calls.
“They claim to be checking that you are alive and that they should disregard a death certificate filed that claims a family member is recovering your account,” he wrote. “It’s a pretty elaborate ploy to get you to allow password recovery.”
“It’s a pretty elaborate ploy to get you to allow password recovery,” said Tan. Diego – stock.adobe.com
Simiarly, Sam Mitrovic, a Microsoft solutions consultant, experienced the same phenomenon months ago, according to a blog post written at the time.
He recalled receiving a Google account recovery attempt notification, followed less than an hour later by a phone call that looked like it was from the tech company, but he ignored it. A week later, it happened again. This time, he picked up.
“It’s an American voice, very polite and professional. The number is Australian,” he recounted, adding that he verified the phone number on an official Google support page.
“He introduces himself and says that there is suspicious activity on my account. He asks if I’m traveling, when I said no, he asks if I logged in from Germany to which I reply no.”
Then, the agent informs Mitrovic that “someone has had access to my account for a week” and was offering to help him secure it, but, luckily, he noticed that the follow-up email sent by the caller was a spoofed email address and stopped answering.
“The caller said ‘Hello,’ I ignored it then about 10 seconds later, then said ‘Hello’ again,” he described. “At this point I released it as an AI voice as the pronunciation and spacing were too perfect.”
Upon double-checking his log-in sessions in his Google account settings, he saw that the only log-ins were his own.
“Despite many red flags upon closer inspection, this call seemed legitimate enough to trick many people,” he warned.
“The scams are getting increasingly sophisticated, more convincing and are deployed at ever larger scale.”
To protect yourself and your accounts from malicious actors, Forbes advised turning on “Advanced Protection,” which, according to a Google spokesperson, “takes extra steps to verify your identity” with the use of passkeys and smart keys to keep your account secure, even if hackers have your credentials.
Recently, Gmail users have been receiving warnings to secure their accounts following a confirmed AI hack. The hack, which was described as “malicious” by Google, targeted users’ personal information and sensitive data.
In response to the hack, Gmail has advised users to take immediate action to secure their accounts. This includes changing passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and reviewing recent account activity for any suspicious behavior.
The AI hack is a concerning development in the world of cybersecurity, as it demonstrates the capabilities of malicious actors to exploit advanced technologies for their own gain. It is essential for users to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting their personal information online.
If you are a Gmail user, make sure to follow the recommended security measures and stay informed about any further developments regarding the hack. Your privacy and security should always be a top priority.
US President Donald Trump on Friday issued a warning to BRICS nations, threatening 100 per cent tariffs on their exports if they attempt to replace the US dollar as the dominant currency in international trade.
“The idea that the BRICS Countries are trying to move away from the Dollar, while we stand by and watch, is OVER,” Trump wrote. “We are going to require a commitment from these seemingly hostile Countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty US Dollar or, they will face 100% Tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful US Economy. They can go find another sucker Nation. There is no chance that BRICS will replace the US Dollar in International Trade, or anywhere else, and any Country that tries should say hello to Tariffs, and goodbye to America!”
His post is nearly identical to the one he made on November 30, weeks after winning the 2024 presidential election.
The BRICS group – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – has been discussing ways to reduce reliance on the US dollar for years. The BRICS economic collaboration has only intensified since Western sanctions were imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. In recent years, BRICS has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
While BRICS+ does not have a common currency, its members have promoted trade in their local currencies. At the 15th BRICS Summit in 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin explicitly called for de-dollarisation, stating that BRICS nations “must expand settlements in national currencies and enhance cooperation between banks.”
The push gained further momentum at the June 2024 BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in Russia, where member states advocated for using local currencies in bilateral and multilateral trade.
Despite concerns over de-dollarisation, the US dollar remains the world’s dominant reserve currency. A study by the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center last year found that neither the euro nor BRICS+ nations had successfully reduced global reliance on the dollar.
Trump’s threats come as he seeks to maintain this dominance. His use of tariffs as leverage is not new. The 78-year-old’s threats against BRICS+ follow his recent push to impose tariffs on Mexico and Canada, the United States’ largest trading partners. Trump has argued that such tariffs are necessary to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, into the US.
During his campaign, Trump called India a “very big abuser” of trade policies and has now extended similar rhetoric towards other BRICS+ members. He has argued that by increasing tariffs on other countries, he can lower taxes for American businesses and workers, bringing factories back to the US.
This approach, however, has been met with scepticism.
Economists warn that tariffs could drive up costs for American consumers and businesses, particularly in industries that rely on imported raw materials.
In a recent speech, former President Donald Trump issued a warning to BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – against making any moves to weaken the dominance of the US dollar in global trade.
Trump emphasized the importance of the dollar as the world’s primary reserve currency, citing its stability and credibility as key factors in maintaining global economic security. He expressed concern that any attempts by BRICS nations to shift away from the dollar could have negative consequences for the global economy.
The former President urged BRICS leaders to reconsider any plans to reduce their reliance on the dollar, warning that such a move could lead to increased volatility and uncertainty in financial markets. He also stressed the need for continued cooperation and coordination among nations to ensure a stable and prosperous global economy.
It remains to be seen how BRICS nations will respond to Trump’s warning, but it is clear that the issue of the dollar’s dominance in global trade will continue to be a topic of debate and discussion in the coming years.
(Reuters) – Caterpillar warned of a slight sales drop in 2025 as dealers scale back purchase of equipment due to weak demand driven by high borrowing costs and persistent inflation, sending its shares down 4% in premarket trading on Thursday.
The company, which is viewed as a bellwether for global economic growth, also said it expects adjusted operating profit margin in the first quarter to be lower than a year ago.
Contractors are adopting a wait-and-see approach to buying new machinery against the backdrop of growing uncertainty over government spending under the Trump administration.
The initial surge in demand from government projects under former President Joe Biden’s 2021 infrastructure law, a $1 trillion push to upgrade roads and bridges, has also tapered off.
Sales in Caterpillar’s construction industries segment fell nearly 8% to $6 billion. China’s struggling real estate market has also weighed on infrastructure spending, leading to a decline in its sales in the region over the past quarters.
The company does not provide a financial forecast but rather comments on its expectations.
Higher borrowing costs, the Federal Reserve’s cautious pace of interest-rate cuts and persistent inflation have also compelled dealers to scale back purchases to better align with demand trends.
For the fourth quarter, Caterpillar reported an adjusted profit of $5.14 per share, beating expectations of $5.02, benefiting from lower manufacturing costs and strong pricing in its energy and transportation segment.
Its sales and revenue for the quarter fell 5% to $16.22 billion, compared with Wall Street expectations of $16.39 billion, according to LSEG data.
(Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
Caterpillar, a leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, has issued a warning of a potential sales drop in 2025 due to weak equipment demand. The company cited various factors such as economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and shifting consumer preferences as contributing to the anticipated decrease in sales.
In a statement released by Caterpillar’s CEO, he expressed concerns about the impact of these factors on the company’s future performance. He emphasized the need for strategic planning and adaptability to navigate the challenges ahead.
Investors and industry analysts have taken note of Caterpillar’s warning, with some lowering their projections for the company’s sales in the coming years. The news has also sparked discussions about the broader implications for the construction and mining industries, as well as the global economy.
As Caterpillar prepares for a potentially challenging period ahead, it remains to be seen how the company will respond to the evolving market conditions and maintain its competitive edge in the industry. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
Frito-Lay has recalled its Lay’s Classic Potato Chips in Oregon and Washington state due to undeclared milk that may be in the product that could be fatal if consumed by someone with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk.
The Food and Drug Administration announced last month a recall of a limited number of 13 oz. bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips over concerns that the product may contain undeclared milk. No other Lay’s products, flavors, sizes or variety packs have been recalled.
“Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the recalled product,” the FDA said on Dec. 16.
Lay’s potato chips pack seen in a Target superstore. (Alex Tai/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images / Getty Images)
On Monday, the FDA updated its guidance, classifying it under a Class 1 recall — its highest risk classification — which means exposure or consumption of the chips could cause “serious adverse health consequences or death,” according to Newsweek.
The chips were given the high level classification because milk is one of the FDA’s eight “major food allergens,” which means it is one of the products that can lead to hives, cramps, dizziness, swollen vocal cords and even unconsciousness if someone with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk consumes it.
Consumers would have been able to purchase these chips in Oregon and Washington state as early as November 3. The recalled chips were distributed to certain retail stores and e-commerce distributors.
Frito-Lay potato chip snacks in a supermarket in New York on Thursday, February 12, 2015. (Getty Images / Getty Images)
Anyone in the two states with Lay’s chips that have both a “guaranteed fresh” date of February 11 and a manufacturing code of either “6462307xx” or “6463307xx” should discard the chips immediately, especially if someone in their household has a milk allergy.
Frito-Lay said it was alerted to the undeclared milk after being contacted by a customer.
The company said no allergic reactions related to this recall have been reported.
Lay’s Recall of Classic Chips in 2 States Classified at Highest Risk Level, FDA Warns it Could Cause ‘Death’
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about a recent recall of Lay’s classic potato chips in two states, citing a potential risk of death for consumers who may have consumed the affected products.
The recall, which was initiated by Lay’s parent company, Frito-Lay, applies to certain batches of Lay’s classic potato chips that were distributed in California and Texas. The products in question have been classified at the highest risk level, indicating a serious health hazard for consumers.
According to the FDA, the recall was prompted by the detection of a harmful bacteria in the affected batches of Lay’s classic potato chips. The bacteria, which has not been named, is known to cause severe illness and can be fatal in some cases.
Consumers who have purchased Lay’s classic potato chips in California or Texas are urged to check their packaging for the specific batch numbers listed in the FDA’s recall notice. If they have consumed any of the affected products, they are advised to seek medical attention immediately.
Frito-Lay has stated that it is working closely with the FDA to investigate the source of the contamination and to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. In the meantime, the company has assured consumers that it is committed to ensuring the safety and quality of its products.
For more information about the Lay’s recall and to check if your product is affected, visit the FDA’s website or contact Frito-Lay’s customer service hotline. Stay safe and stay informed.
President Trump is threatening to use his powers to adjourn Congress so he can make recess appointments for at least some of his top Cabinet nominees and their deputies, enabling them to begin running the largest federal departments.
Mr. Trump most recently raised the prospect of plunging the executive and legislative branches into uncharted constitutional territory during his White House meeting Tuesday with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, mulling the option if Democrats opt to slow-walk or delay his top national security and public health nominees, according to two people familiar with the meetings.
“This remains a significant possibility in the eyes of the White House,” one of the people familiar with the meetings said, emphasizing this is not expected to happen this week, but remains under active consideration.
Mr. Trump has signaled he wants the Senate to move quickly to confirm his top Cabinet picks, and Republican senators have said for weeks they want to move swiftly, particularly on his top national security appointments. On Monday night, the Senate unanimously confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state, but votes on John Ratcliffe to serve as CIA director, Pete Hegseth to serve as defense secretary, and Kristi Noem to serve as homeland security secretary, are still in the queue for consideration.
Procedural issues are delaying those votes, with Democrats slowing consideration of Ratcliffe and Republicans warning they’ll hold a final up-or-down vote on him over the weekend, if necessary.
It is unclear how long Mr. Trump would recess Congress, given that a possible government shutdown looms in mid-March and Republican leaders have set an April goal of passing massive economic, tax and immigration legislation that would authorize Mr. Trump’s plans to cut inflation and taxes and dramatically overhaul border security policy.
How can Trump adjourn Congress?
The second clause of Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution gives the president the power to convene the House and Senate in certain cases. While presidents over the course of U.S. history have frequently summoned both chambers for special sessions, or the Senate to vote on key nominees or treaties, no president has ever exercised his constitutional power to adjourn the two chambers.
The lack of precedent means any Trump decision to adjourn the Senate would likely face immediate legal challenge ultimately resulting in appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Here’s one example of how it would work: The House is scheduled to leave Washington for up to 10 days starting Friday, so the two parties can hold their annual policy retreats. The GOP-controlled House could pass a resolution formally adjourning for that length of time and send the resolution to the Senate. The upper chamber, where at least 60 votes would be needed to consider a consent resolution, would either also adjourn or fail to agree to do so. Under the Constitution, both houses of Congress must agree to adjourn for more than three days. If the Senate does not agree, the president could try using his adjournment power to send the Senate home, launching the executive and legislative branches into uncharted constitutional territory.
Talk about flexing this never-used power dates back to the last year of the first Trump presidency, when Democrats were blocking hundreds of executive and judicial nominees. Conservative activists began pushing the White House to consider the adjournment powers, something Mr. Trump never used. Now, emboldened by his second victory and far more familiar with the powers of the presidency, Mr. Trump is actively discussing the option.
The president raised the prospect of recess appointments in an advisory way to Thune on Tuesday, the sources said, who would prefer that Mr. Trump avoid this move to preserve and protect institutional prerogatives. On Tuesday after the Mr. Trump meeting, the Senate majority leader expressed public skepticism and said any move by Mr. Trump to adjourn Congress should be blamed on Democrats.
“I think we’re going to find out here pretty quickly whether or not the Democrats want to help us get through some of these nominations in a way that gets us back on track with the way it was done prior to the last two presidencies,” he said.
Both parties have spent much of the 21st century using what had been obscure procedural tactics to delay or slowly derail presidential nominees for Cabinet posts, regulatory agency boards and federal judgeships.
What are recess appointments?
Any president can appoint someone to a position requiring Senate confirmation whenever the chamber is in recess. Back when the country began and traveling to and from Washington by horse or train took far longer, recess appointments were a far more urgent need. Now, with Congress able to function year-round, it’s more of a political tactic.
Any nominees appointed to a position during a congressional recess must be confirmed by the end of the next calendar year, meaning if Mr. Trump were to make recess appointments early this year, they could serve in their roles until December 2026. Once a new congressional session begins, a president can renominate recess appointees for Senate confirmation — or issue a fresh recess appointment for them.
The biggest legal test of the power came in 2014, when the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled President Obama had violated the recess appointments clause by naming three picks to the National Labor Relations Board in 2012. The justices said the Senate was not actually in a formal recess when Obama acted.
Ed O’Keefe is CBS News senior White House and political correspondent. He previously worked for The Washington Post covering presidential campaigns, Congress and federal agencies. His primary focus is on President Biden, Vice President Harris and political issues across the country.
President Trump has issued a warning to Congress that he will adjourn the legislative body in order to make recess appointments if they do not confirm his nominees. But how exactly would this work?
Typically, Congress is in charge of setting its own schedule and determining when it is in recess. However, the Constitution does give the president the power to adjourn Congress if the two chambers cannot agree on a time to adjourn themselves.
If President Trump were to take this unprecedented step, he would effectively be forcing Congress to go into recess, allowing him to make appointments without Senate confirmation. This could potentially allow him to fill key positions in his administration with individuals who may not have been able to pass through the confirmation process.
However, this move would likely face legal challenges, as it would be a significant departure from longstanding norms and could be seen as an abuse of power. It remains to be seen if President Trump will follow through on this threat, but it has certainly raised eyebrows and sparked debate about the limits of executive authority.
Attention Ocala residents: The Ocala Police Department is warning residents about fake posts circulating on social media claiming that a couple of serial killers are on the loose in the area. These posts are not true and are causing unnecessary fear and panic among residents.
It is important to only rely on official information from law enforcement agencies and not to spread rumors or false information. If you see any suspicious activity, please report it to the Ocala Police Department immediately.
Remember to stay vigilant and cautious, but also to remain calm and not to believe everything you see on social media. Let’s work together to keep our community safe and informed. #OcalaPolice #FakeNews #StaySafe
The creators of Pokémon TCG Pocket have issued a warning to all players not to tamper with game data or participate in real money trades, or risk getting their accounts banned. The crackdown comes right before card trading and a new Space-Time Smackdown set are added to the mobile hit.
What’s Coming Out Beyond Pokémon: The Indigo Disk | The Week In Games
“We are aware that some players have engaged in data tampering, real money trading, and other behaviors that violate the Terms of Use,” read an in-game announcement that went out to all players on Monday. “If we confirm that a player has engaged in behavior that violates the Terms of Use, we will warn them, suspend their account, or take other action.”
Pokémon TCG Pocket’s makers, Creatures Inc. and DeNA, are presumably trying to get ahead of what seems likely to be a surge in black market bartering for the game’s virtual cards once trading goes live on January 29. In theory, nothing would stop players from creating a third-party marketplace on a subreddit or Discord server where people who have tons of duplicates sell them to the highest bidders.
That’s possibly one reason why the development team is restricting Pokémon TCG Pocket’s trading feature to one-star cards and below. The rarest cards, like specific gold variants with only a .053 percent chance of dropping, will remain locked to players accounts. They would still be able to sell entire accounts to one another, but that would sort of defeat the whole purpose of playing the game and collecting cards in the first place.
Of course, all of this is violates Pokémon TCG Pocket’s rules, but that’s never been enough to completely stamp out cheating and other illicit practices in other economy-driven live-service games like Diablo IV. The proof will be in how many players Pokémon TCG Pocket potentially ends up banning for this sort of thing, and if it publicizes those numbers as has become common across lots of other online games.
The Pokémon Diamond and Pearl-inspired set Space-Time Smackdown arrives this week, alongside the new trading feature, but those cards will also be excluded from trades at launch. Creatures Inc. and DeNA have said exchanging cards with friends will only be available for existing the Genetic Apex and Mythical Island sets at the moment.
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Pokémon TCG Pocket Warns Fans Not To Trade For Money
Attention all Pokémon TCG fans! Pokémon TCG Pocket is issuing a warning to fans against trading cards for money. Trading cards is a fun and enjoyable hobby that should be done with the intention of collecting and playing, not for profit.
Trading cards for money goes against the spirit of the game and can lead to exploitation and predatory behavior. It can also create an unfair advantage for those who have the means to buy and sell cards at high prices.
Pokémon TCG Pocket encourages fans to trade cards with other collectors in a fair and respectful manner. The joy of collecting and playing should be the main focus, not making a profit off of fellow fans.
Remember, the true value of Pokémon TCG cards lies in the memories and experiences they bring, not in their monetary worth. Let’s keep the spirit of the game alive and trade responsibly. Happy collecting! #PokémonTCG #TradingCards #CollectorsUnite
