The retailer's decision met with notable criticism, with some noting the company's reputation for inclusiveness has helped it attract a younger, more diverse consumer base.

A number of prominent companies have scaled back or set aside the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that much of corporate America endorsed following the protests that accompanied the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, a Black man, in 2020.

Target is joining a wave of US companies pulling back on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as right-wing pressure leads companies to alter their commitment to hiring diverse candidates and expanding access.

Costco's shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a proposal that called for assessing the risk of keeping its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in place.

Costco's stance in support of DEI contrasts with the positions taken by other big consumer brands, including Walmart and McDonald's.

Italian bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena has announced it is launching a 13.3 billion euro takeover bid for larger peer Mediobanca in a surprise move that could reshape the country’s banking sector

By Valentina Za and Gianluca Semeraro MILAN (Reuters) -State-backed Monte dei Paschi di Siena on Friday joined the consolidation wave sweeping Italian banking with a surprise 13.3 billion euro ($14 billion) all-share offer to buy merchant bank Mediobanca.