Semantic Links in html?

There is no difference. On the semantics here, there are no errors, at least the validator of the w3c doesn't see anything wrong.

In the first case card news wrapped in a link and a click on any element inside it is a link.

In the second case, the link simply runs the width of the block in order that the user missed and hit the link anyway. The link is a child element in relation to the card news.

Probably was done due to technical objectives pursued by the developer.

In the 1st version set a few anchor-reference - Image, Headline news, 12.12.12.

In the 2nd option, set the desired anchor text in the link itself , most often, there is "Headline news".

The second option for SEO is preferable, as the picture (her Alt) and the date of the publication of the news are not important keywords.