25 Must-Know Retrieval-Augmented Generation Models (RAG) Transforming AI & NLP in 2024 0 like November 12, 2024Share this postAuthor(s): Isuru Lakshan Ekanayaka Originally published on Towards AI. This member-only story is on us. Upgrade to access all of Medium.image sourceLarge Language Models (LLMs) like GPT-4 have revolutionized the field of NLP, demonstrating remarkable capabilities in generating human-like text, answering questions, and performing various language-related tasks. However, these models have inherent limitations:Knowledge Cutoff: LLMs are typically trained on data up to a specific point in time, making them unaware of events or developments occurring after their training.Static Knowledge Base: The knowledge embedded within LLMs is fixed at the time of training, limiting their ability to incorporate new information dynamically.Memory Constraints: LLMs rely on their internal parameters to store knowledge, which can be inefficient for handling extensive or rapidly changing information.Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) addresses these limitations by integrating retrieval mechanisms that allow LLMs to access and incorporate external data sources dynamically. By doing so, RAG enhances the accuracy, relevance, and timeliness of generated responses, making LLMs more robust and adaptable to a wider range of applications.This article provides an in-depth exploration of 25 advanced RAG variants, each engineered to optimize specific aspects of the retrieval and generation processes. From standard implementations to specialized frameworks addressing cost constraints, real-time interactions, and multi-modal data integration, these variants showcase the versatility and Read the full blog for free on Medium.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AITowards AI - Medium Share this post

Author(s): Towards AI Editorial Team Originally published on Towards AI. What happened this week in AI by LouieThis week, the potential plateauing of LLM training scaling laws has been a focus of debate in the AI community. The Information reported that OpenAIs scaling of LLM training compute appears to be hitting a plateau, with more incremental gains in its latest model, Orion, than hoped relative to GPT-4. Reports of this slowing trend are not isolated to OpenAI. Google DeepMind, for instance, is expected to launch Gemini 2.0 in December, but reports have also suggested internal disappointment on improvements. Similarly, we recently discussed Anthropics delayed release of Opus 3.5, though CEO Dario Amodei has now confirmed they still plan to release it. Meanwhile, Metas LLaMA 4 and XAis Grok-3 are currently training on clusters of more than 100,000 H100 GPUs, with Grok-3 expected as soon as late 2024. Despite these investments, the anticipated performance gains across models may be smaller than the leap seen with previous generations, raising broader questions about the limits of traditional training compute scaling laws.In May, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed high hopes for Orion, the companys upcoming flagship model, predicting it would be significantly more advanced than GPT-4. At the time, Orions training was reportedly only 20% complete, but it was already performing on par with GPT-4 in tasks and intelligence. However, as training progressed, Orions improvements have been more incremental, especially compared to the leap seen between GPT-3 and GPT-4, leading some within OpenAI to temper their expectations. As testing continues, OpenAI employees who have worked with Orion report that, while it shows notable progress on certain language tasks, its performance is inconsistent, particularly with more structured tasks like coding and complex problem-solving. For some applications, Orions capabilities dont clearly surpass GPT-4. These mixed results have raised questions about whether Orions enhancements are enough to justify its increased operational costs.OpenAI has yet to finish the final safety evaluations of Orion, which are expected to be publicly released early next year, with hints that it may depart from the traditional GPT branding to reflect its new direction. It is also possible that Orion is integrated into OpenAIs new o1 reasoning model family to achieve further performance gains.Why should you care?Exactly what bottlenecks or dead ends will get in the way of continuing to improve LLM capabilities is a key factor in how quickly they will significantly transform the global economy and potentially even achieve AGI. While diminishing returns are natural to some extent particularly after saturating many easier capabilities and benchmark tasks LLMs still have a long way to go to match human performance on many tasks. We actually think current LLM capabilities are already enough for a huge global impact, but foundation LLMs need to be customized to specific tasks and companies to achieve the reliability and productivity gains needed for widescale adoption. This is currently bottlenecked by LLM Developer talent (we think many millions of LLM Developers will be needed, and we are trying to solve this with our Towards AI Academy), employees non-technical LLM education, and the time it takes to test and iterate these advanced LLM pipelines. Nevertheless, progress in foundation model capabilities can open up new use cases, and we would be very disappointed if progress stops here! However, we dont think this is likely.Despite recent press reports on disappointing gains from larger training compute budgets Sam Altman and Dario Amoedi are both very optimistic in public statements (albeit with an incentive given fundraising needs!). Sam Altman, for example, said in a recent Reddit AMA he thinks AGI can be achievable with current hardware. Dario Amoedi meanwhile thinks Powerful AI will be achieved in 2026 or 2027. Recent newsflow from leading cloud providers lining up nuclear power for the energy needs of next-generation training clusters also contradicts the saturating returns narrative. Nevertheless, we think there have likely been disappointing results from training runs this year as companies have scaled to 50k+ H100 GPU clusters. Most likely, this is due to a bottleneck in diverse training data after saturating data that is easily scrapable from the internet. New data (real or synthetic) and new architectures may be needed to make the most of larger clusters. Training compute is not the only path to progress. However, we think huge progress has been made this year in both inference cost, and the underappreciated new inference compute scaling paradigm.Foundation LLM capability improvement comes broadly from six sources: 1) Increased training compute budget (which is from more GPUs/TPUs, better GPUs, or longer training runs and can be spent on more parameters, more training data, or more FLOPs per forward/backward pass). 2) Increased utilization of this training compute (higher Maximum FLOPS Utilization, less downtime), 3) Higher quality training data, 4) More training compute efficient algorithms (e.g., MoE, new attention mechanisms), 5) Better mid-training/post-training performance unlocks and enhancement (e.g., RLHF, instruction tuning, monte carlo tree search) and 6) more recently Inference or Test Time compute scaling (increasing thinking time/tokens to solve harder problems). We think right now inference compute scaling is the most effective path to progress, so we would not be surprised to see the focus shift here from scaling training compute. We also think there is still a lot of room to experiment with new or modified model architectures. However, we think larger and larger training budgets will still be justified in parallel, given that even incremental gains relative to other techniques can still unlock huge economic value.Hottest News1. Google DeepMind Open-Sources AlphaFold 3Google DeepMind has unexpectedly released the source code and model weights of AlphaFold 3 for academic use, marking a significant advance that could accelerate scientific discovery and drug development. AlphaFold 3 opens new frontiers in protein modeling by predicting molecular interactions and enabling unprecedented advancements in drug discovery.2. ChatGPT Added 50 Million Weekly Users in Just Two MonthsOpenAI revealed that over 250 million people worldwide use ChatGPT weekly. Thats a sharp rise since late August when OpenAI said the chatbot had 200 million weekly users double the number it had last November. As of June, 350 million people used OpenAIs tools each month.3. Meta Is Using More Than 100,000 Nvidia H100 AI GPUs To Train Llama-4Meta is utilizing over 100,000 Nvidia H100 AI GPUs to develop Llama 4, an advanced AI model with improved modalities and reasoning capabilities. Despite the significant power demands, Meta plans to release Llama models for free to encourage broader development and application.4. Gemini Is Now Accessible From the OpenAI LibraryGoogle is now offering an OpenAI API-compatible endpoint for Gemini, making Gemini accessible via the OpenAI library, enabling developers to easily switch to it. The inclusion means developers wont need to overhaul their existing code or pipelines.5. Claude 3.5 Sonnet Can Now View Images within PDFsThe new Claude 3.5 Sonnet model can now parse images in PDF input, enabling it to understand both textual and visual content within documents. This enhancement marks a substantial leap forward, allowing the AI to handle a broader range of information from PDFs, including textual explanations, images, charts, and graphs, within documents that span up to 100 pages.6. Introducing FLUX1.1 [Pro] Ultra and Raw ModesBlackForestLabs has enhanced the FLUX1.1 [pro] with Ultra and Raw Modes, offering 4MP image resolutions in just 10 seconds, 2.5x faster than competitors at $0.06 per image. The Raw mode improves authenticity and diversity, especially in human and nature photography, accessible via the companys API for high-quality, rapid image generation.7. OpenAI in Talks With Regulators To Become a For-Profit CompanyOpenAI, valued at $157 billion, is in early talks with California and Delaware regulators to shift from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity to attract investors and address the valuation challenges of its AI models. It plans to retain a nonprofit arm post-restructuring.8. Introducing the First AMD 1B Language Models: AMD OLMoAMD has introduced AMD OLMo, a series of 1 billion parameter language models trained on 1.3 trillion tokens using AMD Instinct MI250 GPUs. These open-sourced models excel in reasoning and instruction-following, outperforming similar-sized models in general reasoning and chat benchmarks.9. Amazon May Up Its Investment in Anthropic on One ConditionAccording to The Information, Amazon is in talks to invest multiple billions in Anthropic, its first financial pledge in the company since a $4 billion deal struck last year. The new investment is structured like the last one but with the condition that Anthropic uses Amazon-developed silicon hosted on Amazon Web Services to train its AI.Five 5-minute reads/videos to keep you learning1. DSPy: Machine Learning Attitude Towards LLM PromptingIn this article, the author aims to showcase complex technologies through nontrivial use cases, focusing on the DSPy framework. It explains what DSPy is and focuses on implementing an LLM-based classifier.2. How Google Built an Open Source AI To Provide Accurate Flood Warnings for 460 Million People [Breakdowns]This piece breaks down Global prediction of extreme floods in ungauged watersheds by Google AI to look into how they solved the various challenges and what that teaches us about building more truly meaningful AI solutions for the future. The article covers three primary ideas: why weather forecasting is so difficult, why LSTMs are good for this, and what this teaches us about AI policy for the future.3. Your Guide to AI: November 2024The article discusses key AI developments, including the White Houses National Security Memorandum on AI, geopolitical tensions surrounding AI technology, and corporate AI regulation and hardware strategies. It also highlights industry movements like OpenAIs valuation rise, Anthropics new features, and advancements in AI-driven robotics and autonomous systems.4. Can AI Understand Our Minds?This article attempts to explain the current state of machine learning through the latest study by Michal Kosinski titled Evaluating Large Language Models in Theory of Mind Tasks. Building on this, it dives into the theory of mind and its implications for the future of AI and our society.5. I Just Tested Google vs. ChatGPT Search and Im Shocked by the ResultsThis article compares ChatGPTs new search feature against Google search, covering categories like speed, accuracy, visuals, and overall user experience. ChatGPT and Google excel in different areas but cater to slightly different needs.Repositories & ToolsHertz-dev is an open-source, first-of-its-kind base model for full-duplex conversational audio.TableGPT is a pre-built agent for TableGPT2, a series of LLMs for table-based question answering.Gen AI Scripting offers convenient tooling for file ingestion, prompt development, and structured data extraction.Developer Roadmap compiles interactive roadmaps, guides, and other educational content to help developers grow in their careers.OpenRLHF is an easy-to-use RLHF framework built on Ray, DeepSpeed, and HF Transformers.Top Papers of The Week1. HtmlRAG: HTML is Better Than Plain Text for Modeling Retrieved Knowledge in RAG SystemsMuch of the structural and semantic information inherent in HTML, such as headings and table structures, is lost during the plain-text-based RAG process. To solve this problem, this paper proposes HTMLRAG, which uses HTML instead of plain text as the format of retrieved knowledge in RAG. It also proposes HTML cleaning, compression, and pruning strategies to shorten the HTML while minimizing the loss of information.2. Can Language Models Perform Robust Reasoning in Chain-of-thought Prompting with Noisy Rationales?This paper addresses the issue of chain-of-thought prompting with noisy rationales in LLMs using the NoRa dataset. It introduces contrastive denoising with noisy chain-of-thought (CD-CoT), which enhances reasoning accuracy by 17.8% by contrasting noisy and clean rationales.3. BitNet a4.8: 4-bit Activations for 1-bit LLMsBitNet a4.8 introduces 4-bit activations for 1-bit LLMs, using hybrid quantization and sparsification to minimize errors. It employs 4-bit activations in key layers and 8-bit quantization for intermediate states, achieving performance parity with BitNet b1.58 while offering faster inference and 55% reduced parameter activation. Additionally, it supports a 3-bit KV cache for improved efficiency in large-scale LLM deployment.4. Large Language Models Orchestrating Structured Reasoning Achieve Kaggle Grandmaster LevelAgent K v1.0 is an autonomous data science agent designed to automate and optimize the data science lifecycle through structured reasoning and memory management. In evaluations using Kaggle competitions, it achieved a 92.5% success rate, ranking in the top 38% among 5,856 competitors, and performed at a level comparable to a Kaggle Grandmaster, earning multiple medals. This highlights its effectiveness in handling complex, multimodal data science tasks.5. Hunyuan-Large: An Open-Source MoE Model with 52 Billion Activated Parameters by TencentThis paper presents Hunyuan-Large, an open-sourced Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) based LLM with 389 billion total parameters and 52 billion activated parameters, developed by authors who do not state their affiliation. The paper details the models pre-training and post-training stages, highlighting the data synthesis process and training techniques used to achieve high performance across various benchmarks.Quick Links1. Scale AI announced Defense Llama. Built on Metas Llama 3, the LLM is specifically customized and fine-tuned to support American national security missions. Defense Llama is available exclusively in controlled U.S. government environments within Scale Donovan. It aims to apply the power of generative AI to use cases such as planning military or intelligence operations and understanding adversary vulnerabilities.2. Microsoft researchers recently unveiled a new multi-agent infrastructure called Magentic-One that allows a single AI model to power various helper agents that work together to complete complex, multi-step tasks in different scenarios. Microsoft calls Magentic-One a generalist agentic system that can fully realize the long-held vision of agentic systems that can enhance our productivity and transform our lives.3. The Beatles AI-assisted track Now and Then is nominated for two Grammy awards. Though the band has been broken up for 50 years, Paul McCartney used AI last year to create the last Beatles record. He took one of Lennons demos from 1978 and used AI to clean up the recordings poor sound quality.4. Another one of OpenAIs lead safety researchers, Lilian Weng, announced she is departing the startup. Weng served as VP of research and safety since August and, before that, was the head of the OpenAIs safety systems team. In a post on X, Weng said, After 7 years at OpenAI, I feel ready to reset and explore something new.5. OpenAI defeats news outlets copyright lawsuit over AI training. A New York federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence giant OpenAI that claimed it misused articles from news outlets Raw Story and AlterNet to train its large language models.6. OpenAIs o1 Model Leaked on Friday, and It Is Wild Heres What HappenedOpenAIs upcoming AI model, o1, was accidentally leaked, showcasing advanced capabilities surpassing GPT-4, including comprehensive image and multimedia analysis. The leak occurred due to a URL parameter modification, but OpenAI has since resolved the issue, with an official release anticipated soon.Whos Hiring in AIPhD Intern (f/m/d) Business AI Research @SAP (Berlin, Germany)Research Engineer @Anthropic (London, UK)Staff Software Engineer, Generative AI, Gemini Code Assist @Google (New York, NY, USA)Applied Machine Learning Engineer Localization @Apple (Cupertino, California, United States)Generative AI Engineer @FabFitFun (USA/Remote)AI Engineer @SmartDev (Hanoi, Vietnam)AI & GenAI Data Scientist-Senior Associate @PwC (Multiple Locations)Interested in sharing a job opportunity here? Contact [emailprotected].Think a friend would enjoy this too? Share the newsletter and let them join the conversation.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AI

Remember a few months ago, when Amazon denied rumors that its free, ad-supported streaming service Freevee would be shutting down following the introduction of ads to Prime Video? Well, things have changed.As reported by Deadline on Tuesday, Freevee will be "phased out" over the coming weeks. The good news is that its original series, including Bosch: Legacy, Jury Duty, and Judy Justice, are already available on Prime Video and will remain there. Additionally, in territories where Freevee has been available, its content will still be viewable in front of the paywall for non-Prime members. Amazon addressed the shutdown with the following statement:We have built Prime Video into a first-stop entertainment destination where customers can personalize their viewing experience by streaming exclusive Prime member entertainment produced by Amazon MGM Studios, licensed movies and series, content from other services as an add-on subscription, live sports, blockbuster movies and series to rent or buy, FAST Channels and the complete Amazon Freevee content offering. To deliver a simpler viewing experience for customers, we have decided to phase out Freevee branding. There will be no change to the content available for Prime members, and a vast offering of free streaming content will still be accessible for non-Prime members, including select Originals from Amazon MGM Studios, a variety of licensed movies and series, and a broad library of FAST Channels all available on Prime Video.Freevee, home to originals like Jury Duty (above), Bosch: Legacy, and Judy Justice, is shutting down. Freevee launched in 2019 as IMDb Freedive, changing its name to IMDb TV a few months later before rebranding once more to Freevee in 2022. It gained some popularity not only as a place to watch a number of Prime Video shows for free, including The Wheel of Time, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and A League of Their Own, but for its own original content. Specifically, it scored three Primetime Emmy nominations for its hoax reality series Jury Duty.However, once Prime Video introduced ads early this year, the distinctions between that streaming platform and Freevee started to blur. Prime Video subscribers now have to pay an additional $2.99/month to avoid ads. The streaming market may have just gotten a little bit smaller, but that doesn't mean there's still not an overwhelming bevy of options to choose from. For more, check out our ranking of the major streaming services available currently. Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.

Secretlab just launched its official Black Friday Sale, which starts now and runs until November 30. Save up to $169 off Secretlab's popular Titan line of gaming chairs, Magnus gaming desks (including its Magnus Pro electric standing desk model), and accessories like the Secretlab Skins upholstery covers, desk mats, cable management, and more. Sadly, the newer releases like the Titan Evo Nanogen Edition chair and the recliner add-on are exempt from this sale. If you're looking to upgrade your chair, there's no better time than Black Friday. Secretlab sale events only come around a handful of times per year, and the Black Friday sale is usually the best one of them all.It's no secret that we love our Secretlab gaming chairs. Two of the six chairs in our best gaming chair roundup are Secretlab models. Of all the gaming chairs we covered in our "Budget to Best" roundup video earlier this year, my colleague Akeem Lawanson considered the Secretlab Titan Evo to be the most comfortable. No good chair comes cheap and Secretlab chairs definitely cost a premium, but we think the craftsmanship, materials, and customizability are worth it.Featured in this articleSecretlab Titan EvoSecretlab Titan 2020Secretlab Titan Evo LitePreorder (Out November 24)Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen Edition$799.99 at SecretlabNot Yet Available (Out 2025)Secretlab Titan Recliner Add-On$199.00 at SecretlabFixed Gaming DeskSecretlab MagnusElectric Standing DeskSecretlab Magnus ProYou can quickly browse through all of the listed products on sale above. For more information on each product and why they are worth your consideration, read through below.Secretlab Titan EvoSecretlab Titan EvoThe Titan Evo starts at $519 during the sale. This is Secretlab's flagship chair and it's available in small, medium, and large sizes. Upholstery options include Neo Hybrid leatherette, SoftWeave Plus fabric, or premium Napa leather. The chair features cold-cure foam upholstery for the seat, a supportive four-way lumbar system, full length backrest with 165 degrees of recline, full metal 4D armrests with magnetically attached PU cushions, and a memory foam headrest pillow.Aside from the build quality, the Titan Evo also stands out thanks to the sheer number of officially licensed designs from popular video games, TV shows, and more. Some of the more popular examples include The Witcher, Overwatch, Attack on Titan, League of Legends, World of Warcraft, and Game of Thrones. They generally cost more than the standard colors, but they're worth it if you're looking for that extra personal touch.In our Secretlab Titan Evo review, Chris Coke wrote that "after two years of daily use, the Secretlab Titan Evo has proven that it can stand the test of time and still be one of the best gaming chairs you can buy. Meaningful ergonomics paired with Secretlabs wide selection of designs, it remains a fantastic option, especially for fans of bright colors or designs."Secretlab Titan 2020Secretlab Titan 2020The prior model Titan 2020 gaming chair is available for $474, which is $45 less than the base model Titan Evo. The Titan 2020 is still an excellent chair and not much different than the current Evo model. In fact, outside of an upholstery change (the PU leather has been updated with Neo Hybrid Leatherette), the changes are mostly cosmetic. You are limited to fewer design options, so if you want to build out something that's truly unique, you might want to splurge a bit extra for the current generation Titan Evo model.Secretlab Titan Evo LiteSecretlab Titan Evo LiteAmong the Titan chairs, the Evo Lite is definitely the best value with its starting price tag of $419, or a full $100 less than the base model Titan Evo. It's built upon the same frame as the Titan Evo and has the same core features like the cold-cure foam cushioning, lumbar, 165 degrees of recline, and 4D armrests. What it compromises on is customization, with "only" two upholstery options, two sizes, and five colors, a non-adjustable lumbar system, simpler arm rests, and no included head rest. If none of these tradeoffs bother you, then you'll be saving quite a bit of money.Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen EditionPreorder (Out November 24)Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen Edition$799.99 at SecretlabAlthough the Titan Evo Nanogen Edition isn't on sale, it deserves mention simply because this is our top pick for the best gaming chair. In our Titan Evo Nanogen Edition review, Chris Coke wrote that "the Secretlab Titan Evo Nanogen Edition deserves every bit of the overwhelming praise Ive given. Granted, at $799 its significantly more expensive than the original and not far off from an entry-level Herman-Miller. But the return it offers in comfortable, supportive gaming is well worth the extra cost thanks to dramatically improved materials in both the fabric and multi-layered padding. The Titan Evo Nanogen Edition is class-leading, and is hands-down the most comfortable gaming chair Ive ever used."Secretlab Titan Recliner Add-OnNot Yet Available (Out 2025)Secretlab Titan Recliner Add-On$199.00 at SecretlabSecretlab also announced a new recliner add-on to anyone who already owns the Titan Evo chair. It's so new that not only will this recliner ship out sometime next year, it's not even available for preorder yet. We have received a unit for testing, however, and it has turned out to be a very practical addition. In our recliner add-on review, Chris Coke wrote that "while both comfort and value are subjective things, the recliner is able to take the Titan Evo and transform it from one of the best racing style gaming chairs to standing head and shoulders above the competition at its price point. Its novel enough that I wouldnt be surprised to see other brands following suit in the near future. If you dont mind paying for it, its an absolutely killer upgrade for your gaming chair."Secretlab Magnus and Magnus ProFixed Gaming DeskSecretlab MagnusElectric Standing DeskSecretlab Magnus ProThe Magnus and Magnus Pro are also on sale during Black Friday. The Magnus is a traditional fixed-frame gaming desk while the Magnus Pro ups the ante with a custom designed electric standing desk frame for an additional $250. Both desks feature an all-metal desktop surface, solid steel legs and cleverly thought out areas for cable management, but the Magnus Pro has some really unique features including a power cable that runs internally inside one of the telescoping legs and an in-line control panel that you won't bump into.In our Secretlab Magnus Pro review. Mark Knapp writes that "the Secretlab Magnus Pro is a fantastic desk, bringing the brilliant cable management solutions of the original Magnus to a fast, quiet, and wide-ranging motorized standing desk. The desk is built well and proves an excellent platform for work and play alike. Its an expensive desk though, and for the money, it would have been nice to see a smarter safety mechanism for the motors and the desk mat included. Still, the overall quality you get is a big step up from cheaper standing desks, and the optional accessories truly enhance the experience. Anyone whos not committed to a standing desk should save their money and go for the standard Magnus if everything else about this model sounds good, but for gamers who love a tidy desk and want the flexibility of a standing desk, the Magnus Pro should be the first they consider."PlayShould I Wait Until Black Friday?Probably not in this case. This is Secretlab's official Black Friday Sale and it will run through Black Friday. We expect the sale to continue a bit longer through Cyber Monday as well. There's a chance a specific chair configuration might go on sale at a third-party retailer like Amazon, but most of the deals should remain largely the same.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

Jennifer Coolidges Tanya McQuoid may have met an untimely end at the end of season 2, but that doesnt mean that HBOs The White Lotus is done with bringing characters back for more. Natasha Rothwell, who played White LotusA recent teaser for HBO and Maxs upcoming 2025 slate gave us a first look at some of the new and returning characters we can expect to see when the series returns next year, and it confirms that Belinda is ready to live her best life at the White Lotus Thailand resort as shes greeted by resort staff.According to HBO and Max content chairman and CEO Casey Bloys, Belindas return is only the beginning. Per Bloys interview with Variety, White Lotus creator Mike White is planning to connect future seasons to each other by bringing back one cast member each season. Bloys is already excited about who is going to come back for Season 4. It really is a fun model that Mike has set up.While Rothwells Belinda would be a great recurring character for The White Lotus beyond her season 3 appearance (as long as she survives), there are also several season 2 characters that fans would love to see come back. There are many viewers (myself included) who are eager to see Daphne (Meghann Fahy) and Harper (Aubrey Plaza) ditch their husbands and go traveling the world together. And then theres Mia (Beatrice Grann) and Lucia (Simona Tabasco), who may not have the means to become jetsetters, but have certainly inspired many with their tenacity. If they can charm their way into one White Lotus resort, it wouldnt be too much of a surprise to see them take their earnings and try their luck elsewhere.In addition to Natasha Rothwells return, The White Lotus cast for season 3 includes Leslie Bibb (Iron Man), Dom Hetrakul (Bangkok Dangerous), Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter), Michelle Monaghan (The Best of Me), Parker Posey (Lost in Space, Josie and the Pussycats), Carrie Coon (The Leftovers), Walton Goggins (Fallout), Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education), Patrick Schwarzenegger (Gen V)andTayme Thapthimthong.There are so many possibilities for returning characters, and it will be fun to see who Mike White carries over from one season to the next as the series goes on, and who survives their second stay at a White Lotus resort. Fingers crossed that Belinda makes it through season 3!

Theres a lot to be excited for with the return of Andor next year. This second and final season is set to bridge the gap between the Cassian (Diego Luna) we saw in season 1 and the Cassian we see in Rogue One. This means that the potential for familiar characters to appear is has increased, including fan-favorite K-2SO (Alan Tudyk). Thanks to a trailer shown to audience members at D23 in Anaheim, we already knew that our favorite sassy droid was going to show up this season, but that doesnt make his appearance in a recent teaser any less exciting.Disney+ has released a teaser showcasing its upcoming 2025 projects, one of those being Andor season 2. We dont get to see much of what to expect this season aside from a few snippets, but we do get a glimpse of an Imperial droid we can only assume is the one and only K-2SO. For those not lucky enough to catch the trailer released at D23 back in August, this is the first time weve seen our boy since he made the ultimate sacrifice in Rogue One. Even though he has no dialogue in this scene, we can already hear his sassy remarks in our hearts.When we meet the pair in Rogue One, its clear that there is some kind of history there between Cassian and K-2, and Diego Luna is excited for fans to see how these characters came to be in each others lives. The actor told Entertainment Weekly in August that Rogue One will be a different film after season 2 of Andor. Everything will be signified differently knowing what had to happen for K-2 to be there. Its going to make you witness the journey of Rogue One in a different way, I think. And not just with K-2, but with many other characters. I think itll be really cool.Andor season 2 is set to take place across four years leading up to the start of Rogue One, giving us plenty of time to see K-2 and Cassians meet-cute and the journey that led them to find each other.Another exciting sneak peek from this teaser is a new Imperial ship that Cassian gets to commandeer (or more likely steal). It appears to be a new kind of advanced TIE fighter, with a design similar to a TIE interceptor. Per the useful X account The Spaceshipper, this design is a TIE Advanced variant as first seen in LucasArts 1993 video game Star Wars: X-Wing. In the Legends canon, it is production model that succeeded Darth Vaders iconic TIE fighter.Though we dont yet know everything this ship is capable of, or how it differs from other TIE fighters, we do know that it looks cool as hell and were excited to see it in action. Andor season 2 is easily one of our most anticipated shows of 2025, and if these sneak peeks are any indication, April cant come soon enough.Andor season 2 premieres Tuesday, April 22, 2025 on Disney+.

MarketplaceWritten ByLinn VibergPublished11/12/24Moana sails into MinecraftThe wind is warm, the water blocks are glistening, and Im pretty sure I can hear the ancient voice of the ocean calling my name. Or perhaps its telling me that adventure awaits in the Moana 2 DLC by Disney and Starfish Studios! Since this DLC is available in multiplayer, lets both hop into our canoes and set sail for the island of Motunui, and maybe even beyond...Oh, there she is! The one and only Moana, here to teach us how to sing. No? Oh, not sing sail! Maybe wishful thinking but learning the ways of the ocean from somebody who knows how to wayfind sounds pretty epic.The Moana 2 DLC will take you on a journey across iconic locations on Motunui and beyond to relive moments from both Disneys Moana and Moana 2. Meet new and familiar characters like Moanas little sister Simea, the beady eyed Tamatoa, and, not to mention, our favorite rooster Hei Hei!Now that the people of Motunui have embraced voyaging once more, Chief Tui wants to expand the village to more islands. Moana and Maui will teach you to ride the ocean waves and then send you off on thrilling quests around the island and beyond the reef.Set sail beyond the reef with your canoe of choice!Discover the secrets of the Wayfinders Cavern, fight off the cute but equally sneaky little pirates called Kakamora, and dive into the monstrous realm of Lalotai to recover Mauis hook. I dont know if its the ocean again, but I think I hear whispers of a canoe race and an unforgettable island celebration in the name of an island hero, too.Top off your island adventure with the Flower Crown, available for free in the Dressing Room for a limited time!The Moana 2 DLC is out now, so put on your free Character Creator item: the Flower Crown and sail into Minecraft Marketplace to start your island adventure today. Community Creations Discover the best add-ons, mods, and more being built by the incredible Minecraft community!

Looking at social media comments, many seem confused, irritated, maybe a little scared by the fact that people indulge in virtual agriculture. How could they! And who are they, anyway? If the mere concept has you questioning the appeal of rural busywork, let us enlighten you.Pour yourself a cup of tea. Add a dash of your favorite energy drink, if you have to. Well explain who plays Farming Simulator and why they love it. Plus, with Farming Simulator 25 launching on Xbox Series X|S today, promising plenty of new updates and improvements its the perfect time to give a virtual farming career a try.Why Should You Start A Farm?Take your pick, there are many reasons: relaxation, escapism, self-determination, and generally wholesome entertainment are just the overarching buzzwords but heres a few more reasons to kick off your virtual farming career.Adapting to Challenges From yield improvement and timely management of fields to withstanding seasons and weather events like twisters. Youll be kept on your feet.Growing the Business Expand and grow your farm into an agricultural empire with construction projects, production chains, and the logistics to make it efficient.Mastering Agriculture Farmers never stop learning. Theres much for you to explore and experience. You will see tractors driving around with different eyes and maybe even appreciate the food in your fridge a bit more.Farming Simulator 25 offers plenty of possibilities to live out a farmers dream. For aspiring farmers as well as returning agriculturists who find new crops, animals, machine categories and depth of gameplay from the feeling of sinking into the mud of deformed soil, GPS-based steering for increased automation and efficiency, extended baling-mechanics based on consumable foil types (expert farmers really love it) up to new challenges like weather events, as twisters and hail prompt land owners to prepare.Who Even Plays This Stuff?Without flexing numbers, we can assure you that a lot of people play Farming Simulator. And we dont mean those with a knack for ironic entertainment, because lol, tractors. Sure, one fan told us he was given the game as a joke. He and his family now own a real farm because he got a bit hooked on the idea and is probably the last one laughing. While you may not be rushing out to purchase your own fertile land just yet, you could find yourself fitting into some of the below archetypes.Kids notoriously like tractors and learn how to potato with Farming Simulator. There is some educational value for everyone. Do you know the difference between a plow, a cultivator, and a subsoiler?Parents can relax and play it with tiny observers present. It might be a nice first bonding-experience over gaming, and appropriate for all ages.Gamers who are into cooperative multiplayer. Building a multi-faceted empire of field operations, production chains, and logistics. Everyone plays a role.Stressed-out people too empty after work to engage in competitive online games where verbal shootouts sadly mock the honor of their female guardians.Everyone looking for satisfaction paired with relaxation. Harvesting a crop that grows in straight rows with an Alien-looking machine just scratches this very particular itch.Farmers. The real ones. The ones harvesting the produce you buy at the supermarket and who are basically feeding the world. We know your next questionWhy Would Real Farmers Play It After Work?Hard to imagine for people who havent plowed before, but listen: playing Farming Simulator is not work!Farmers play it because of passion for agriculture. Its not just a job where you feel the need to numb yourself with social media doomscrolling.Farmers love machines, fine-mechanics, and impressive technology. Others enjoy that, too, and might get hooked on the 400+ machines all authentic and detailed.Farmers can experiment and so can you. 25 field crops, plus greenhouse crops, various tree species, and an ensemble of animals, now with goats & water buffalos.The reason is passion. Its as simple as that. For nature. For plants. For trees. Animals. Machines. And rewarding results. The game allows them to experiment with crops and machinery that they could never grow and operate on their own fields.Its hard to grow cotton in small fields somewhere in England, for example. Or buying cattle just so you can have natural, sustainable lawn mowers when you really have a sweet sugar beet farm. With three environments to choose from, North-America, Europe and East Asia, Farming Simulator 25 offers an agricultural variety not only farmers find exciting.Farming Simulator 25 Out TodayFarming Simulator 25 also features overall enhanced graphics, physics and effects making this entry of the family-friendly series the most atmospheric and immersive yet.If thats not enough for you, we have one of the most active modding communities with user-creations hands-on tested by our developers themselves available directly in the game.If you need help starting out, you can visit our Farming Simulator Academy, a series of official tutorials.Farming Simulator 25 is available today on Xbox Series X|S.Farming Simulator 25GIANTS Software GmbH11Get it nowPRE-ORDER NOW TO GET THE MacDon Pack FOR FREE!!!Farming Simulator 25 invites you to join the rewarding farm life. Whether you build your legacy single-handedly or cooperatively in multiplayer you decide: This Farm is Your Farm!New features include: * Three maps in North America, East Asia & Central Europe* Crops: Rice, spinach, peas & green beans* Animals: Goats, water buffalo & baby animals* 400+ machines from 150+ agricultural brands* Weather events (Twister & Hail) and improved effects* Ground deformation & GPS-assisted steering* New production chains & farm shops & constructions* Many quality-of-farming improvements

From home-cooked holiday meals shared with family to caroling door-to-door, there are a lot of reasons to love Christmas in the country. (And, did we mention all the cute small towns that are decorated for the holidays that we can't wait to visit?!) Our favorite, though, might just be decorating a fresh-cut fir with all our farmhouse trimmings. Whether the tree is festooned with freshly foraged goods or your best vintage ornaments, bringing a bit of that classic country charm to your tree is easier than you think, especially when you're up for a little Christmas crafting. But, have no fear: If you aren't feeling crafty there are some simple swaps you can make to play up the rustic feel. (We won't lie, we're obsessed with this woven tree collar we've been seeing everywhere!) Below, we've gathered up some of our favorite ways to add rustic charm to your Christmas tree. Ready To Decorate For Christmas? Start Here With Our Best Christmas Decorating Guides:1Add Playful Paper GarlandsBecky Luigart-StaynerNothing says homespun holiday like a simple paper chain garland. Here, homeowner Landon McAfee played up his preppy blue-and-green Christmas palette with a classic paper chain.RELATED: See More Behind The Scenes of Our New Holiday Issue (Including How We Landed On This Tree For The Cover!)2Just Add BellsAdam AlbrightA long-standing farmhouse staple, bells add timeless cheer to even the most simple of Christmas trees, such as the one seen here on Alyson and AJ Morgans Wisconsin porch. RELATED: How to Dry Citrus for All Your Holiday DecorationsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Hang a Simple Popcorn Garland David A. LandIt doesnt get any more classic than DIY popcorn garland. Add some oversized bulbs, pop the tree into a makeshift wooden crate stand, and voil, a country Christmas tree at its finest. You can top with a punched tin tree topper for extra farmhouse flair!RELATED: Try One of Our Hall-of-Fame Christmas Garland Ideas 4Add Copper AccentsNat Rea; Styling by Matthew GleasonA mix of handmade and hand-me-down baubles festoon this Rhode Island tree, which is topped by a DIY star made from copper craft piping and ringed with DIY copper chain garland. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Go for Collected OrnamentsDylan ChandlerWant to make your Christmas tree feel like its been years in the making? Try adding in a variety of ornaments! Just be sure to keep a clear color palette in mind (like a thread of red) so it still feels cohesive. RELATED: 25 Easy Crochet Christmas Ornaments That'll Cozy up Your Tree 6Gussy up Galvanized Tin OrnamentsDylan ChandlerPainted pine cones and dried orange slices pair perfectly with the rustic charm of galvanized tin bells and stars on this Missouri cabin porch tree. The overall look is cheerfully chippy, and will weather the elements an outdoor Christmas tree may face. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Repurpose Cutter QuiltsBecky Luigart-StaynerSometimes you want a tree that is pet and allergen friendly. Thats okay! If you have a stack of cutter or damaged quilts lying around that need a second life, try this clever DIY that will turn one into a country Christmas tree.To make: Cut a 1/2-inch-thick piece of foam core to the desired triangle size. Wrap your quilt tightly around the foam core and secure in place with straight pins (no cutting needed!). Set on a picnic basket tree trunk. RELATED: 93 DIY Christmas Decorations to Transform Your Home Into a Winter Wonderland8Embrace a Barely There TreeDavid MeredithThe skinnier branches of an alpine can be just as pretty as a full-blown fraser fir, and dont feel overwhelming in cozy corners. Add woodland creature and felt mushroom ornaments to bring the outdoors in like this crafty Utah family did in their farmhouse living room. RELATED: This Utah Family Home Has a Hands-On Approach to the HolidaysAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Opt for Candied OrnamentsGordon BeallCandy ornaments are a sweet (literally!) style for a kitchen countertop Christmas tree, and so easy to make. Pair with cranberry garland for an allover edible-inspired design.RELATED: Your Family Will Treasure These DIY Ornaments For Years to Come10Layer on the LightsRobert RadiferaTheres something to be said for a Christmas tree where a tiny white glow seems to emit from every branch. Its especially comforting to spot in the living room corner when you sneak downstairs to catch a peek of Santa.RELATED: Heres How to Hang Christmas Tree Lights Like a ProAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11DIY a Painted Tree StandBrian WoodcockFor extra country flair, we suggest you ditch the tree skirt and use a galvanized tub instead! You can even paint it with red stripes to resemble a grain sack. 12Opt for a Rattan Topper and Citrus GarlandRikki SnyderThis timeless farmhouse-style tree incorporates classic touches like red balls and plaid accents, as well as rustic natural elements like a dried citrus garland and a stunning rattan star topper. RELATED: See More of This Postcard-Perfect Farmhouse in the Catskills That Is All Decked Out for ChristmasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Illuminate With CandlesBrian WoodcockThis tree features details that harken back to earlier times, like a gingerbread star garland, electric clip-on candles (a nod to the early way trees were illuminated), and a straw star on top. A quilted tree skirt rounds out the homespun vibe.RELATED: This Is the Only Gingerbread Cookie Recipe You'll Ever Need14Pair Classic Ornaments with Paper EphemeraDylan ChandlerThis 200-year-old farmhouses Christmas decor includes a tree decorated with festive balls and paper ephemeralike sentimental numbersfound at flea markets and antique shops. A galvanized bucket as the tree stand finishes the rustic farmhouse look.RELATED: 100+ Best Places To Shop For Antique and Vintage Items Online, According to Our EditorsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15Use Vintage VesselsBrian WoodcockA vintage candy tin provides a perfectly sweet base for this flocked tree. Ribbon-candy ornaments tie the sweets motif together.RELATED: Heres How To Flock Your Christmas Tree, According to Experts 16Go All in on Natural TouchesVirginia MacdonaldHandmade ornaments are always more rustic than store-boughtand a lot more visually interesting too. In this classic stone farmhouse, simple citrus garlands hung with nylon string add an air of understated elegance. RELATED: See More of This Cozy Farmhouse That Has Something Called a Snug Room and Now We Want One Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Style up a Stoneware Crock Brian WoodcockAny entryway table would look lovely with this tree placed atop it. Here, a mini balsam fir is decorated with a simple plaid bow, a cranberry bead garland, and clip-on candlesticksall sitting in a stoneware crock.RELATED: The Best Small Christmas Trees With Big Holiday Spirit18Craft a Pennant Flag GarlandDavid Tsay, styling by Sunday HendricksonThe year-round use of red in this California cabins living room takes inspiration from the words of Charles Dickens: I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. The large Christmas tree is peppered with felt pennants from National Parks and roadside attractions.RELATED: Tour More of This California Lake Home That Is the Ultimate Christmas GetawayAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below19DIY a Galvanized Funnel TreeBrian WoodcockNow this is a rustic tree! Stack vintage galvanized funnels in graduated sizes, then place the makeshift tree on a counter or open shelf in your home. Small wood beads, strung on baker's twine, make for a fitting trimming. RELATED: The 40+ Best Alternative Christmas Trees to Decorate Any Space in Your Home20Gussy up with GingerbreadAnnie Schlechter, styling by Matthew GleasonIn this Connecticut farmhouse dining room, a spindly Fraser fir features equally fragrant citrus and gingerbread ornaments alongside an old wooden wheelbarrow wielding plaid-wrapped packages.RELATED: Tour More of This Connecticut Home That Is Mad for Plaid at ChristmastimeAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she covers design and decorating trends, home features, and gift guides. She also produces home features and styles content for the print magazine. When she isnt working, can often be found digging around antique shops for the perfect find. Follow her adventures on Instagram!

This article originally appeared in the April 2012 issue of ELLE DECOR. For more stories from our archive, subscribe to ELLE DECOR All Access.Its only fitting that ELLE DECOR A-Lister Lorenzo Castillo happened upon the Madrid apartment building that would become his future home while en route to El Rastro, the citys famous flea market. Madrids old neighborhoods harbor hidden treasures, he says. Its one of the things I love most about the city. Simon UptonIn the sitting room, a steel-and-ostrich-egg mirror hangs above a sofa upholstered in a 1960s David Hicks fabric; the Jacob Frres armchair is covered in a Rubelli velvet, and the cocktail table is from the 70s. The artworks include paintings by Xavier Vilat, bottom left, and Jos Mara Yturralde, center, and a Josep Maria Subirachs engraving and Miguel Macaya painting, right.Castillo was immediately drawn to the building. Its very madrileo, he saysin other words, its quintessentially Madridwith a neoclassical stone faade that is noble in scale but remarkably simple. The portera, or doorwoman, told him the history of the building, which was constructed in the 17th century and was once a convent: Located on the border between the now-trendy neighborhoods of Lavapis and Barrio de las Letras, it became one of the most prestigious addresses in the Spanish capital during the 18th and 19th centuries. A new facade added in the 1770s by Ventura Rodrguez, the architect of many iconic monuments in Madridincluding the sculptures of Neptune and Cybele on the Paseo del Pradoheightened the buildings allure. Simon UptonAn 18th-century rug covers a table in the entrance hall; the bench is in the Rgence style, the desk is by Marc du Plantier, and 18th-century engravings fill the walls. Two days after Castillos first visit, a half-floor apartment on an upper story was his. That was 10 years ago, when he was building a reputation as a leading antiques dealer in Spain. Now he runs his own interior design business, with assistance from his partner, Alfonso Reyero. Castillos projects range from a historic Andalusian country house to a London restaurant slated to open this summer. He recently renovated Madrids Santo Mauro, giving the hotel a five-star upgrade. As Castillos business has grown, so have his domestic needs. Nearly four years ago he sold that first apartment, along with his collection of furniture and art, to purchase and renovate an 11,000-square-foot space downstairs, spread over two floors. Simon UptonThe center table in the drawing room was designed by Castillo, and the Louis XVI daybed is upholstered in a Josef Frank fabric; the 18th-century portrait is French, and the screen is Japanese. After the Spanish Civil War ended in 1939, the rooms that now house Castillos apartment served as the warehouse for one of the citys theatrical costumers. Such legendary figures as Maria Callas and Placido Domingo were fitted there for productions at the nearby Royal Opera House, Castillo says. By the time he bought the apartment, most of its signature architectural details were gone. The marble fireplace surrounds had been sold off or stolen during the war, and huge pieces of the decorative stucco moldings had crumbled or fallen off, he says. He spent a year supervising the renovation and traveling around Europe in search of period floors, fireplaces, fittings, and hardware. He became friends with the costume companys former owner, who could still conjure up memories of the apartments once-glorious appearance. Simon UptonThe armchairs, tables, and mirrors in the dining room are by Castillo, and the light fixtures are 19th century.Castillo managed to make the apartment look both classic and up-to-date. He wove a rich and sumptuous tapestry of timeless design by mixing pedigreed antiques and vintage pieces, including a desk of green leather and gilt bronze made in the 1940s by Marc du Plantier for the prince of Bavaria, tapestries by Rubens, a massive plaster bust from Pariss cole des Beaux-Arts, and 1970s Op Art. A carriageway behind the massive iron front doors leads to a glass-enclosed courtyard used as an indoor garden and decorated with chaises upholstered in a Madeleine Castaing fabric, the cast of a sculpture by Michelangelo, and an abstract painting by Lorenzos brother Santiago Castilloone of many throughout the house. A grand staircase, the type one expects to find in a Roman palazzo, ascends to a gallery where Castillo has continued the courtyards motif of plantings and black-and-white floor tiles. He cleverly deployed white trellis as a baseboard and as molding around the doors and balconies. Simon UptonA Louis XVI marble-top table and 1970s Italian chairs in the kitchen; the lacquer cabinetry is custom made, and the walls are painted in Farrow & Balls Lulworth Blue.Indeed, many of the room-defining elements are Castillos own subtle but beautifully executed designs, such as the coffered, mirrored panels that cover the walls of the glittering dining room, or the shimmering black-lacquer bookshelves with brass inlay that fill the library. A grand staircase, the type one expects to find in a Roman palazzo, ascends to a galleryThe upper floor is dominated by the 120-foot-long drawing room, the kind of space usually seen only in the backgrounds of princely portraits at the Prado. With five balconies and four seating areas, it is a sophisticatedand sometimes irreverentmix of periods, styles, and materials. French Second Empire, 19th-century Swedish, and 1950s Italian furniture share the stage with faded antique maps and crisp steel sculptures from the 70s. A massive hand-loomed carpet designed by Castillo provides the finishing touch.Simon UptonThe primary bedroom includes a tapestry by Rubens, a 17th-century octagonal mirror, and a 19th-century neo-Gothic dressing table; the wallpaper was designed by Castillo.Needless to say, such singular spaces make for fabulous parties. Castillo has hosted many, from intimate dinners to private couture fashion shows. But first and foremost, the home is where he and Reyero live and work every day. In the heat of summer well have lunch in the gallery, and on cold winter evenings we dine by candlelight in the mirrored dining room, he says. And since the home also serves as Castillos studio and showroom, he frequently slips into the guest suite to find a quiet place to concentrate. We truly live in the entire house, he declares proudly. Tour this former 17th-century convent in the heart of Madrid This story originally appeared in the April 2012 issue of ELLE DECOR. SUBSCRIBE