Hearst Castle is one of the top 10 most Instagram-worthy homes in the world, site says

Reuters
House Democrats push security probe of Elon Musk's team
The Democrat-led U.S. House oversight committee on Thursday called for an investigation of potential national security threats posed by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. In a letter on Thursday, the lawmakers urged deputy inspectors general at several federal agencies to investigate potential national security breaches involving Musk's team.
Reuters
French startup Mistral rolls out app in escalating AI race
Nvidia-backed French startup Mistral AI rolled out a new app for its generative AI software on Thursday, hot on the heels of last month's launch of a new AI assistant by China's DeepSeek. Paris-based Mistral AI, founded two years ago, says its open source Le Chat assistant is powered by the world's fastest inference engines, responding with up to 1,000 words per second. "The French and the whole world are realising that European players count and that they provide cutting-edge technology," Mistral AI CEO and co-founder Arthur Mensch told Reuters.
NBC News
A test that aims to rule out autism using a strand of hair is now available to the public
A test that identifies biomarkers associated with autism just became available in most states. It's meant to help rule out autism in children who have higher likelihoods of it.
AFP
Global stocks climb as trade fears ease
Stock markets rose Thursday on easing trade tensions and some strong company earnings, with London hitting a record high.Frankfurt stocks touched a fresh record high after official data showing German industrial orders rebounded more than expected in December.
Yahoo News
Santorini in state of emergency after hundreds of earthquakes shake Greek island for days, sending residents fleeing
Since last week, thousands of residents have left the island by plane and ferry, as hundreds of earthquakes continue to shake the region.
Reuters
Russia says US needs to formulate its stance on how to end the Ukraine conflict
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the United States needed to formulate its policy on ending the conflict in Ukraine and that Moscow could then base its own position on specific U.S. action. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have not spoken by phone since Trump's inauguration, according to public statements from officials on both sides. Russia's RIA state news agency earlier on Thursday quoted a senior lawmaker as saying that preparations for a meeting between Putin and Trump were at an "advanced stage" however.
Associated Press
Trump's US trade negotiator pick vows hardline policies
Jamieson Greer, President Donald Trump's choice to be the top U.S. trade negotiator, promised to pursue the president's hardline trade policies. As U.S. trade representative, Greer would have responsibility — along with Commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick — for one of Trump's top policy priorities: waging or at least threatening trade war with countries around the world, America's friends and foes alike.
AFP
Trump says Gaza would be 'turned over' to US by Israel
President Donald Trump said Thursday that Gaza would be "turned over" by Israel to the United States when the conflict is over, and no soldiers would be needed for his subsequent takeover and redevelopment plan."The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting," Trump said in an early morning post.
Yahoo Finance
Trump Treasury secretary Scott Bessent relieves some pressure on the Fed
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Donald Trump is not asking the Federal Reserve to lower its short-term interest rates, but what he and the president do want is to bring down longer-term borrowing costs via 10-year Treasury yields.
NBC News
Kangaroo embryo produced through IVF for the first time
Researchers Australia said that they have for the first time successfully produced the first kangaroo embryos through IVF. It may help save endangered species.
NBC News
Winter alerts for millions as freezing rain threatens power outages and travel danger
Winter weather alerts were in place for some 100 million people across 22 states from Nebraska to Massachusetts on Thursday as a series of winter storms descend on states in the North and the East, bringing snow, sleet and freezing rain.
Time
Anima Anandkumar Accelerates Scientific Discovery with AI
Anima Anandkumar uses AI to make key discoveries, from advanced weather forecasting to novel medical devices.
AFP
UK says satellite system key to Chagos US base deal
Britain's government insisted Thursday that it must hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius to secure continued access to satellite communications at a key US-UK military base.The base is leased to the United States and has become one of its key military facilities in the Asia-Pacific.
AFP
'Life or death consequences for millions': NGOs stunned by US aid freeze
The freeze in aid funding by Donald Trump's new US administration has left humanitarian workers seeing a large proportion of their budget cut off and fearing millions will be affected as programmes are suspended."At the end of those 90 days, it's very likely there are going to be huge cuts on what aid can continue to move.
AFP
Trump's pick to lead FBI facing anger over 'enemies lists'
US President Donald Trump's pick to lead the nation's premier law enforcement agency faces a crucial test in his confirmation bid Thursday as senators decide whether to advance his nomination to the floor.Patel is among a number of Trump intelligence and law enforcement nominees who have been assailed over their lack of experience and poor judgment in a series of showstopping Senate confirmation hearings.
Associated Press
Sam Kerr trial: Chelsea striker denies that calling a police officer 'white' was used as an insult
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr denied that calling a police officer “white” was used as an insult as she was cross-examined in her trial on Thursday on a charge of racially aggravated harassment. Kerr, also the Australia captain, was speaking on the fourth day of the trial at Kingston Crown Court, following an incident in London on Jan. 30, 2023. It is alleged that Kerr and her partner, West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis, had been out drinking when they were driven to the police station by a taxi driver, who complained that they refused to pay clean-up costs after one of them was sick, and that one of them smashed the vehicle’s rear window.
Time
Are ‘Broken Skin Barriers’ a Real Thing?
Here's the best way to protect yours from damage.
USA TODAY
Fatal beating of shackled NY inmate Robert Brooks ruled a homicide
Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed that the death of inmate Robert Brooks was ruled a homicide by medical examiner.
AFP
Court orders French city to drop 'La Negresse' place name
A French court ruled on Thursday that the seaside city of Biarritz must rename its La Negresse historic district, possibly named after a black woman, following a case brought by activists who argued it was an outdated legacy of colonialism.The activists want city officials to rename the La Negresse district as well as one of the city's streets, rue de la Negresse.
Reuters
Panama president decries U.S. 'lies' about canal fees
Panama President Jose Raul Mulino on Thursday said the United States was spreading "lies and falsehoods" after the State Department claimed U.S. government vessels would be able to pass the Panama Canal without paying a fee. The fiery allegations are the latest point of tension between the two countries which have clashed over the canal since U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the vital waterway had effectively been taken over by China and vowed "we're taking it back." Speaking to journalists, Mulino expressed his "absolute rejection" of managing U.S.-Panama ties "based on lies and falsehoods."

Latest Stories