Shopping malls are emptying out, Netflix is more popular than cable, and more top news

The news professionals are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments.

Netflix is more popular than cable TV and YouTube, according to a Cowen & Co. survey. Respondents were asked which platforms they used most often to view video content on TV. Netflix was the most used, with 27% of respondents choosing it, followed by 20% for basic cable, 18% for broadcast TV and 11% for YouTube. Among those aged 18-34, Netflix scored 40%. Cable providers are struggling to retain viewers — in the first quarter of 2017, cable networks lost 410,000 subscribers while Netflix added 8.3 million in the fourth quarter of that year. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Shopping malls across the U.S. haven’t been this empty in six years, according to data from real-estate research firm Reis, with the popularity of online shopping affecting brick-and-mortar stores throughout the country. The mall vacancy rate for the year’s second quarter is 8.6% — a high not witnessed since 2012, when the country was recovering from the recession and the rate was at 8.7%. Retailers such as Bon Ton, Sears, J.C. Penney and Toys “R” Us have all announced closures this year. ? Here’s what people are saying.

The board of Barnes & Noble announced that the company has fired CEO Demos Parneros for violating company policies, declining to specify details. Parneros won’t receive severance or continue to serve on the book retailer's board. Barnes & Noble will now conduct a search for a new CEO and, in the interim, a committee of company leaders will perform the role. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Also: The billionaire CEO behind the popular sparkling water LaCroix has been accused of sexual harassment by two pilots. The former employees claim they were subjected to inappropriate touching on more than 30 trips between 2014 and 2016 by Nick Caporella, who denies the allegations. One lawsuit was settled in January while the other is still pending. ? Here’s what people are saying.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has started lifting the ban imposed on Chinese phone maker ZTE, reports Bloomberg. The company paid a $1 billion fine for violating sanctions on Iran and North Korea, and will be allowed to continue some of its business until August 1st, when it will be expected to be in full compliance with an agreement made with the U.S. government. President Trump personally involved himself in the deal to get ZTE back-up and running. ? Here’s what people are saying.

The Education and Justice Departments have rescinded policy guidelines on affirmative action in college admissions. The seven Obama-era guidelines “advocate policy preferences and positions beyond the requirements of the Constitution,” the departments said. Schools who continue race-conscious admissions policies may face an investigation or lawsuit from the Justice Department, or lose Education Department funds. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the Day:  Allowing room for diverse perspectives in your life will lead to a fuller existence, says physician Dr. Louis Profeta, who reminds us that “we all breathe the same air.”

“ Surround yourself and embrace people who do not pray like you, who do not look like you, who do not love like you and especially who do not vote like you.”  

What's your take on today’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments.

— Carmel Melouney and Jessica Hartogs