LONDON: The Democratic Party’s defeat in November was the result of, among other things, failed succession planning. An ageing Joe Biden refused to retire after one term; he appointed a vice president who presented a limited threat, having failed to shine in the 2020 primaries; and, when the party elders forced him to withdraw after his catastrophic debate performance, he effectively scuppered the idea of holding a mini-primary by immediately endorsing Kamala Harris. Botched succession is a pervasive problem in human affairs: In autocracies as well as democracies (Russian President Vladimir Putin’s eventual departure will doubtless lead to a bloody power struggle) but also in the private sector as well as the political world. The one “known known” in the business world is that CEOs will eventually have to hand over to a successor. Yet companies repeatedly make a hash of it. In The Life Cycle of a CEO: The Myths and Truths of How Leaders Succeed, Claudius Hildebrand and Robert Stark present striking data on succession failures. Some of the world’s most illustrious companies have had to dump their CEOs after a brief spell at the helm. Leo Apotheker was fired after 11 months as CEO of Hewlett Packard (with a golden parachute of US$7.2 million in cash and US$18 million in company stock) and Bob Chapek was fired after “three years of hell” as CEO of Disney. Tyson Foods replaced four CEOs from 2016 to 2023 while video-gaming retailer GameStop cycled through five CEOs between 2018 and 2023. SACKING THE CEO IS EXPENSIVE A 2019 survey of 222 C-suite executives around the world found that 76 per cent reported that there was not a leader within the company who was ready to take over as CEO and 60 per cent said that the company lacked a succession plan. A 2021 study by David Larcker and Brian Tayan, of Stanford University, revealed that 22 per cent of CEO appointments from 2017 to 2021 were “interim” (placeholders while the boards searched for a permanent successor). Poor succession planning is expensive as well as messy: A study of CEO transitions at the world’s 2,500 largest public companies determined that the average cost of poor succession planning (defined as having to sack the CEO) was US$1.8 billion per company. The most obvious failed transitions are the result of forced departures: The proportion of “resignations under pressure” among S&P 500 companies rose from 7 per cent in 2022 to 16 per cent in 2023. CLINGING ONTO POWER, FAILING TO GROOM A SUCCESSOR But some of the most troublesome are the result of the opposite problem: Relatively successful CEOs who cling onto power and fail to groom a suitable successor. The longer CEOs stay in place, the more fully they inhabit their jobs. It’s not just that they relish all the attention (and money). It’s that they can’t think of themselves as being anything other than the CEO, their every minute scheduled, their every move monitored. Even responsible CEOs can put off thinking about retirement – there is just one more project to finish, one more transformation to oversee, one more cover story to pose for. The less responsible ones subvert the succession process, either consciously or unconsciously, by blocking the search for a successor or undermining possible replacements. The story of Disney’s struggle to find a successor to Bob Iger as CEO is particularly tortured. The company groomed Thomas Staggs for the job, making him COO, only to change its mind, partly at Iger’s urging. Then Iger, who had repeatedly delayed his announced date for retirement, impetuously announced that he was stepping down immediately in February 2020 and persuaded the board to appoint Chapek as his successor despite Chapek’s lack of experience in the company’s core business of developing creative content. Chapek’s condition of employment suggested a problem – he would serve as both CEO and CEO-in-training and, along with his office, Iger would retain creative control as executive chair of the board. TAKING SUCCESSION PLANNING SERIOUSLY What can be done to prevent botched successions? One solution is to put a hard limit on your time in the top job — say 10 years. Yet Adi Ignatius, the editor of the Harvard Business Review, concluded that one of the most notable characteristics of the leaders selected for its annual CEO 100 listing of top performers was their “remarkable longevity,” having held their jobs for an average of 15 years. Hildebrand and Stark argue that the problem with this is that some CEOs are “marathon runners” whose work only comes to fruition after more than a decade in office. They give the example of David Cote, who, as CEO of Honeywell International for 15 years, “achieved one of the most impressive turnarounds of any CEO in the twenty-first century,” fixing a company that was widely deemed to be “unfixable” and increasing its share price by 245 per cent. He was only hitting his stride at the 10-year mark and had a great deal of value-creation left in him. In a world that constantly complains about short-termism, it seems perverse to create an artificial barrier to long-term planning. A more comprehensive solution is to buff up the machinery of succession planning. Require boards to take succession planning much more seriously, for example, by appointing a lead director with responsibility for standing up to the CEO and looking for a successor. Build succession-planning into the core of the company so that there is always a deep bench of talent awaiting. And – this is Hildebrand and Stark’s big idea – encourage CEOs to think of their careers in terms of life cycles, with a beginning, a middle and an end. These are all sensible ideas but far from foolproof. The Sarbanes-Oxley legislation of 2002 made boards officially responsible for succession planning, but too many still take their responsibilities remarkably lightly. Most of the board members who appointed Apotheker to his job at Hewlett Packard had not even spoken to him on the phone let alone met him personally. Procter & Gamble and General Electric were both widely praised as America’s most successful talent machines. But Procter & Gamble had to recall AG Lafley after the successor the company had nurtured, Bob McDonald, proved a disappointment and General Electric progressively fell apart after Jack Welch’s departure. Powerful CEOs will almost always be able to outwit their boards if they want to: Boards consist of part-timers who have many, often too many, irons in the fire and inevitably lack the CEO’s grasp of detail. They may also pride themselves on their ability to defy life cycles rather than embrace them: You get to the top by bending the world to your will rather than doing the conventional thing. The growing habit of appointing outgoing CEOs as executive chairs, “to smooth the transition,” something that takes place in 41 per cent of S&P 500 company transitions, may also achieve the opposite effect, making it easier for ex-CEOs to outstay their welcome and second-guess their successors. A USEFUL EXAMPLE FOR FUTURE CEOS A satisfactory solution to the succession problem must consider the human side of the process as well as the institutional side. Boards need to consider the clinginess of the potential CEO when they first make their appointments. Are they well-rounded people with an extensive hinterland? Or are they people who are likely to let the job become the self? They also need to appeal to the vanity of the CEO when it comes to retirement. Do they want to go down in history as somebody who outlived their welcome? Or do they want to leave at the top of their game? Here Joe Biden might be wheeled out as a useful example for future CEOs. Had he decided from the first to serve for only one term, he would be remembered as a successful president who passed important legislation at home and stood up to Russian expansionism abroad. A better president than the flashier Barack Obama might well have been the consensus. He might also have presided over a succession to yet another Democratic president with a carefully run primary season that would have weeded out weak candidates like Harris and selected somebody with a broad appeal. (For all the talk about the profound forces that brought Donald Trump to office, his victory was a relatively narrow one.) But thanks to his stubborn refusal to acknowledge the process of ageing, he will only be remembered as a president who botched the succession and ushered in the second age of Trump. It is a story worth telling to any CEO who shows signs of staying on beyond their sell-by-date. Perhaps Disney could even turn it into a film.GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Defending the run has been one of the Green Bay Packers’ weaknesses over the last several years. Not so much lately, though. Green Bay limited San Francisco to 16 carries for 44 yards in a 38-10 rout of the 49ers on Nov. 24, with two-time All-Pro Christian McCaffrey gaining 31 yards on 11 attempts. Four nights later, the Packers beat Miami 30-17 by holding the Dolphins to 39 yards on 14 carries. It was the first time since 1995 — and only the second time since 1950 — that the Packers had allowed fewer than 45 yards rushing in back-to-back games within the same season. “I think we’re playing harder and harder each week,” first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said. “And that’s how you play good defense.” That defense needs to be at its best Thursday as the Packers (9-3) close a stretch of three games in 12 days by visiting the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (12-1), who have the NFL’s highest-scoring offense thanks in part to a rushing attack featuring the speedy Jahmyr Gibbs and the physical David Montgomery. “Gibbs is a great running back,” defensive lineman Kenny Clark said. “I really think the offense really starts with him, honestly. He can do everything — receive, in-and-out runner, can do stretch, duo plays. We’ve got to have all hands on deck with Gibbs. And then Montgomery, he’s a great complement to him. He can do everything, also.” The Lions were the first team since the 1975 Miami Dolphins to rush for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in each of their first 11 games. The streak ended on Thanksgiving when the Lions rushed for 194 yards but didn’t have a touchdown on the ground in a 23-20 victory over the Chicago Bears. Green Bay outrushed Detroit 138-124 in the Packers’ 24-14 loss to the Lions on Nov. 3 at Lambeau Field. Montgomery rushed for 73 yards while Gibbs ran for 65 yards and a touchdown. Gibbs has 973 yards this season, which ranks fourth in the NFL. Montgomery ran for a combined 192 yards and four touchdowns in the Lions’ two games against the Packers last season. Green Bay’s run defense has come a long way since. The Packers have allowed 106.6 yards rushing per game this season, which ranks eighth in the league. The Packers haven’t closed a season in the top 10 in run defense since 2016 and have finished outside the top 20 in four of the last six years, including 26th in 2022 and 28th in 2023. “I think Haf’s doing a good job of mixing up the fronts and some of the coverages, but really it’s ultimately about tackling, swarming, getting many hats to the football,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “And our guys have really embraced that style of play.” The Packers are yielding 4.2 yards per carry to rank seventh in the league after finishing 22nd or worst in that category each of the last three seasons. They haven’t closed a season ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed per carry since 2017. Hafley says the improvement starts up front. “The interior part of our D-line has done such a good job these last few games,” Hafley said. “They really have. They’re hard to block. They’re staying in their gaps. They’re tearing off of blocks, and it’s the same thing with those defensive ends. They’re setting edges, they’re forcing the ball back inside, they’re getting off blocks and then we’re tackling and we’re running to the ball and there’s multiple people to the ball. “And when you turn on our tape right now and when you freeze it, you see that. You see a lot of guys around the football. And then you’re not afraid, right? Like if I have an open-field tackle and I know eight other guys are coming, I’m going to take my shot because I know if I miss, it’s going to be, ‘Bang, bang, bang,’ we’ve got three or four other guys there, and we’re starting to play faster.” Green Bay's defense has the Lions’ attention. “They’ve been playing well,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said. “I mean, they have, really, all season, and nothing has changed.” ___ AP Sports Writer Larry Lage contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Steve Megargee, The Associated Press
Jamaat-e-Islami's Chauddagram unit yesterday held a rally in the upazila Sadar demanding the arrests of "all murderers and terrorists" of the upazila, including freedom fighter Abdul Hai Kanu, whose assault made headlines recently. The morning rally passed through key locations in the town before concluding with speeches by its leaders in front of Haider Complex. Calling Abdul Hai Kanu a murderer and extortionist, Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami's chief Mahfuzur Rahman threatened to block the Dhaka-Chattogram highway if the freedom fighter is not arrested. "The killers of martyrs of [the July uprising] in Chauddagram must be arrested immediately. People of Chauddagram have seen the display of arms in broad daylight. But no arms have been recovered after August 5," he said. "We want immediate recovery of all illegal arms. We will protest at every union of Chauddagram demanding the recovery of illegal arms, arrests of all terrorists, and withdrawal of all false cases," he added. On December 22, Kanu was beaten and forced to wear a garland of shoes around his neck by a group of alleged Jamaat activists and supporters. Despite initially denying the incident, Jamaat later suspended two of its supporters and condemned the incident. Kanu later filed a case against 10 people and 10–12 unnamed persons. One person has been arrested so far. Jamaat-e-Islami's Chauddagram unit yesterday held a rally in the upazila Sadar demanding the arrests of "all murderers and terrorists" of the upazila, including freedom fighter Abdul Hai Kanu, whose assault made headlines recently. The morning rally passed through key locations in the town before concluding with speeches by its leaders in front of Haider Complex. Calling Abdul Hai Kanu a murderer and extortionist, Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami's chief Mahfuzur Rahman threatened to block the Dhaka-Chattogram highway if the freedom fighter is not arrested. "The killers of martyrs of [the July uprising] in Chauddagram must be arrested immediately. People of Chauddagram have seen the display of arms in broad daylight. But no arms have been recovered after August 5," he said. "We want immediate recovery of all illegal arms. We will protest at every union of Chauddagram demanding the recovery of illegal arms, arrests of all terrorists, and withdrawal of all false cases," he added. On December 22, Kanu was beaten and forced to wear a garland of shoes around his neck by a group of alleged Jamaat activists and supporters. Despite initially denying the incident, Jamaat later suspended two of its supporters and condemned the incident. Kanu later filed a case against 10 people and 10–12 unnamed persons. One person has been arrested so far.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Defending the run has been one of the Green Bay Packers’ weaknesses over the last several years. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Defending the run has been one of the Green Bay Packers’ weaknesses over the last several years. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Defending the run has been one of the Green Bay Packers’ weaknesses over the last several years. Not so much lately, though. Green Bay limited San Francisco to 16 carries for 44 yards in a 38-10 rout of the 49ers on Nov. 24, with two-time All-Pro Christian McCaffrey gaining 31 yards on 11 attempts. Four nights later, the Packers beat Miami 30-17 by holding the Dolphins to 39 yards on 14 carries. It was the first time since 1995 — and only the second time since 1950 — that the Packers had allowed fewer than 45 yards rushing in back-to-back games within the same season. “I think we’re playing harder and harder each week,” first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said. “And that’s how you play good defense.” That defense needs to be at its best Thursday as the Packers (9-3) close a stretch of three games in 12 days by visiting the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (12-1), who have the NFL’s highest-scoring offense thanks in part to a rushing attack featuring the speedy Jahmyr Gibbs and the physical David Montgomery. “Gibbs is a great running back,” defensive lineman Kenny Clark said. “I really think the offense really starts with him, honestly. He can do everything — receive, in-and-out runner, can do stretch, duo plays. We’ve got to have all hands on deck with Gibbs. And then Montgomery, he’s a great complement to him. He can do everything, also.” The Lions were the first team since the 1975 Miami Dolphins to rush for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in each of their first 11 games. The streak ended on Thanksgiving when the Lions rushed for 194 yards but didn’t have a touchdown on the ground in a 23-20 victory over the Chicago Bears. Green Bay outrushed Detroit 138-124 in the Packers’ 24-14 loss to the Lions on Nov. 3 at Lambeau Field. Montgomery rushed for 73 yards while Gibbs ran for 65 yards and a touchdown. Gibbs has 973 yards this season, which ranks fourth in the NFL. Montgomery ran for a combined 192 yards and four touchdowns in the Lions’ two games against the Packers last season. Green Bay’s run defense has come a long way since. The Packers have allowed 106.6 yards rushing per game this season, which ranks eighth in the league. The Packers haven’t closed a season in the top 10 in run defense since 2016 and have finished outside the top 20 in four of the last six years, including 26th in 2022 and 28th in 2023. “I think Haf’s doing a good job of mixing up the fronts and some of the coverages, but really it’s ultimately about tackling, swarming, getting many hats to the football,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “And our guys have really embraced that style of play.” The Packers are yielding 4.2 yards per carry to rank seventh in the league after finishing 22nd or worst in that category each of the last three seasons. They haven’t closed a season ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed per carry since 2017. Hafley says the improvement starts up front. “The interior part of our D-line has done such a good job these last few games,” Hafley said. “They really have. They’re hard to block. They’re staying in their gaps. They’re tearing off of blocks, and it’s the same thing with those defensive ends. They’re setting edges, they’re forcing the ball back inside, they’re getting off blocks and then we’re tackling and we’re running to the ball and there’s multiple people to the ball. “And when you turn on our tape right now and when you freeze it, you see that. You see a lot of guys around the football. And then you’re not afraid, right? Like if I have an open-field tackle and I know eight other guys are coming, I’m going to take my shot because I know if I miss, it’s going to be, ‘Bang, bang, bang,’ we’ve got three or four other guys there, and we’re starting to play faster.” Green Bay’s defense has the Lions’ attention. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “They’ve been playing well,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said. “I mean, they have, really, all season, and nothing has changed.” ___ AP Sports Writer Larry Lage contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Advertisement Advertisement
Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. The Las Vegas Raiders are big underdogs against the Kansas City Chiefs, and understandably so. The Chiefs have not looked like the traditional NFL power they've been in recent years, but they are 10-1 as the back-to-back reigning Super Bowl champions. The Raiders, meanwhile, are going with Aidan O'Connell at quarterback and are in the hunt for the No. 1 pick in the draft with a 2-9 record, tied for the worst in the league. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs, left, and head coach Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders hug after Kansas City's 27-20 win at Allegiant Stadium Oct. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Candice Ward/Getty Images) With odds not in his favor, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce was brutally honest about the matchup. "Let’s call a spade a spade — best team in football against the worst team in football," he told reporters Wednesday. "Let’s change the narrative. Let’s go out there and make it a dogfight. Let’s make it ugly, let’s make it scrappy. It’s Black Friday. Let’s create a little chaos and get back to Raider football and have some personality and let it loose." Tom Telesco, left, and Antonio Pierce attend an introductory news conference at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center Jan. 24, 2024, in Henderson, Nev. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images) TOM BRADY SAYS SON TRIED TO ATTEND SUPER BOWL AFTERPARTY THAT FEATURED SNOOP DOGG, 'GIRLS DANCING' The Raiders went 2-0 against the Chiefs last year, including a surprising victory at Arrowhead Christmas Day. That, apparently, was a blessing in disguise for Kansas City, because the Chiefs ran the table after that loss. Earlier this year, the two teams met in Vegas, and the Chiefs returned home with a 27-20 victory. Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce watches from the sideline during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs Oct. 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Action Network has the Chiefs as 7.5-point favorites. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter .From Plates To Plants: A Vegetarian's Journey
Terry Trowman got the red carpet treatment from his mates when he returned to the Pig & Whistle after an overseas jaunt last year. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED Terry, who collapsed suddenly inside a Fernhill property, has been memorialised with a statue, ‘Man O’ Words’, which stands outside his favourite local watering hole, Pig & Whistle Pub. He assembled an extraordinary number of friends during his 14 years in town whom he’d greet with repeated handshakes and big hugs — in fact the statue’s been tweaked to incorporate an outstretched right hand. "Once you met Terry, he grew on you like moss," one friend says. Testament to his popularity is about 300 people from near and far attended his memorial celebration at the Pig, including his parents Lesley and Tony and brother Mark, from England — the latter helped organise the service. A statue honouring Terry at the front entrance to his regular watering hole. Red carpet was laid out, balloons were flown and a banner read ‘Happy Wednesday Terry’. Lesley, who along with Tony had been due to fly over to see Terry in January, says despite being a social animal he was also the fittest and healthiest member of their family. A friend says "you were always happy when you saw him, he was just smiling, ready for the handshake and saying ‘Happy Friday’ or whatever day it was". "He’d say ‘you’re a legend’, but really he was the legend." He loved a fancy dress party, but he was also a really hard worker who’d help out any friend who needed a hand. Peter Duerden, another friend, says "upon hearing Terry’s family was heading over to New Zealand on the next available flight, it was a no-brainer to create a GoFundMe that would allow all those who knew and loved Terry a quick and easy way to provide whatever support they could to the Trowman family". "The original goal was $10,000; as it stands, we have raised over $20,000, a figure that if nothing else is testament to how well thought of Terry was and continues to be. "His loss has been felt by a great many people, Queenstowners past and present, but a legacy of handshakes and ‘Terryisms’ will live on always." One ‘Terryism’ was: "We’re only one day away from death, act accordingly." Two friends bought ‘Man O’ Words’ — a corten steel sculpture by Riverton’s Rodger Thompson which Arrowtown’s Birdwoods South had been exhibiting — "because we believe he was a king of men, and every king deserves a statue", they say. "It’s for all of us to remember and for people in town to admire, because if you read it it’s basically everything you should stand for in life, just like ‘our Terry’ — ‘love’, ‘heart’, ‘strength’, ‘family’. Friends are approaching the council to see if it can be installed in a nook by the Ballarat St Bridge, just metres from his favourite place, the Pig.
US senator says mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey should be 'shot down, if necessary'
Kyle Richards does not approve of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills costars Dorit Kemsley and Sutton Stracke ’s current feud. “I do not like when anybody talks about people’s looks or their financial situations. It’s ugly,” Richards, 55, said to Page Six on Saturday, November 24. “Listen, I’ve had my arguments. We disagree on the show, but I don’t do ugly.” She continued: “I don’t hit below the belt. I don’t like that.” The drama between Kemsley, 48, and Stracke, 53, began last month, when Stracke did a joint interview with Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Lisa Barlow for MTV UK . The Housewives teamed up to play a game of Who Even Am I? where they had to guess the identity of the celebrity based on a series of clues. When the women got to Kemsley, the digs got personal. As Stracke held up a photo of her RHOBH costar, Barlow responded that she “holds grudges” and “lives way above her means.” Stracke ultimately guessed Kemsley and confessed that they still had unresolved issues to work through. “I don’t think she ever let the mouse go,” Stacke said to Barlow. “The lady can’t get a hint.” Barlow, for her part, paid Kemsley a compliment by calling her “pretty.” Stracke retorted, “Well, when you’ve had enough surgery anybody can be pretty.” After word got out of Stracke’s diss, Kemsley decided to fire back. “Why hasn’t Sutton done [plastic surgery] then?” she said during a November interview with Page Six . “She has the money, right? She can afford ... plastic surgery, so why hasn’t she done it if it is that easy? I’m just curious.” Kemsley also cleared the air regarding her costar’s plastic surgery claims, stating that she hasn’t had any work done aside from a breast augmentation. “I stand here today ... hand on my heart, promise you, I would happily, happily tell you if I did anything other than my boobs,” she confessed “And I have not.” While Stracke and Kemsley have their beef outside of RHOBH , the women have also been at odds with Richards this season. In the season 14 trailer , which gives fans a glimpse of the upcoming season, viewers saw the trio get into a heated argument after a dinner party. You have successfully subscribed. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason, can you let me talk?” Richards retorted, while Kemsley clapped back, “It’s OK Kyle, it’s time for you to f—ing listen.” After the trailer dropped, Stracke weighed in on the intense moment. “My thoughts were, ‘Let’s not have the police called on us,’” Stracke exclusively told Us Weekly at Hayu FanFest in London earlier this month.By Jon Dunbar The cover of "Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking" by Kang Mingoo While everyone was fawning over Han Kang's books, during last month's open house sale at Tongbang Books, I picked up a thick hardbound book titled "Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking." Han, the author of "The Vegetarian," had recently won the Nobel Prize in literature, however, another noteworthy development was that UNESCO was considering Korea's jang-making tradition as a new entry for its Intangible Cultural Heritage List. "Jang," primarily written by chef-restaurateur Kang Mingoo, reads more like a textbook than a traditional cookbook. And that's intentional: the 216-page book offers a deep dive into Korea, exploring everything from its mountains and forests to its pantries and dining tables. Jang, which the book claims rhymes with "song," refers to a variety of fermented soybean pastes. The book lays out the three main jangs — "ganjang" (basically soy sauce), "doenjang" (thick soybean paste) and "gochujang" (red-hot pepper paste) — which Kang says are "are like siblings, and like siblings, they often play together." One important fact I gleaned from this book is that the production method for both ganjang and doenjang is mostly the same, and they are essentially byproducts of each other. About six to nine months into the process, a separation occurs, moving the still-solid bits from the liquid, and the separated bits continue to ferment for several more months or years. It reminds me of the parallel brewing process of traditional Korean alcohols "takju" (a cloudy beverage with white sediment) and "cheongju" (a clear alcohol), which are likewise separated from each other. And there's also the bright-red gochujang, which has a somewhat different recipe due to the inclusion of red pepper powder and takes much less time to complete fermentation. Kang shares a somewhat offbeat theory that the red pepper, or "gochu" in Korean, "was actually introduced by birds millions of years ago," rather than in the 16th century by Portuguese traders through Japan. Going back to the concept of jangs as siblings that sometimes play together, "ssamjang," which I think might be the most popular and widespread of the Korean sauces, at least from what I've witnessed, is a mixture of gochujang and doenjang, along with a little sugar. Chef Kang Mingoo speaks during an interview at Mingles, his restaurant in southern Seoul, June 13. Korea Times file Kang, the owner of Mingles, a popular Seoul restaurant that helped redefine Korean fine dining, presents a vivid narrative of his culinary journey. It's a beautifully produced book, filled with impressive photos — although the photos lacked captions explaining the context and were not clearly illustrative of what was being discussed. Read More Chef Kang Min-koo expands possibilities of Korean food [Michelin star chef] 'Openness to Korean cuisine helped gain star' Korean restaurant Mingles ranked Asia's 11th best restaurant 4 Korean restaurants enter Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list "Imagine trying to understand Italian cooking without olive oil or to unlock French cuisine without butter and cream," he says in the book's introduction. "It would be impossible." He details his travels across the country to meet jang artisans, emphasizing that most of them are women. He is perhaps most fascinated by Jeong Kwan, a master of temple cuisine at Baekyang Temple in South Jeolla Province, describing the epiphany he experienced watching her work. "I marveled that Jeong Kwan didn't cook so much as simply let the earth move through her," as he puts it. Read More Attaining freedom of mind through temple food 'I'm cooking food for the mind' Vens. Jeongkwan, Wookwan named 'Masters of Korean Temple Food' Ven. Jeongkwan brings essence of Korean cuisine to New York On returning to Mingles with his "hair on fire," he describes the effect his dive into the world of jang had on him: "I felt like I had been playing the piano by hitting only the middle C, and now the entire keyboard had been opened to me." He sets out his almost-scientific approach to jang-making, which includes "vertical tastings" of the same jang at different years of fermentation. "Jangs aren't rigid; they reward experimentation," he writes. "They are able to assimilate and adapt to foreign concepts." This foreshadows some of his over 60 recipes later in the book, which range from more-or-less traditional "namul" offerings to some wild-sounding fusion recipes, including tagliatelle with ganjang ragu, doenjang hummus and gochujang chocolate mousse. Also described in extensive detail is the onggi earthenware pottery for storing jang during fermentation, which is specifically called "jangdok." There's so much detail, that it leaves a reader feeling like they could make their own jangdok — though this is probably as unlikely as making decent gochujang on one's own after reading the book. "Jang is more like sourdough than it is like wine: Anyone can nourish a starter, but few can sustain a vineyard," Kang writes. Chef Kang Mingoo introduces his English-language book, "Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking." Korea Times file That said, the book is not too interested in walking you all the way through the process of making your own jang, but does helpfully offer guidance on how to stock your pantry with the jangs you can readily purchase. It also emphasizes that not all jang needs to be artisanal: "Not everything can be artisanal, nor is it always worth using (or even a good idea to use) artisanal jang in every dish you make." The book also outlines some important beats in Korean history related to the development, fall and renaissance of jang. This starts over 4,000 years ago with the introduction of soybeans — rich in protein and able to thrive in poor soil — to the peninsula from Manchuria. It also details how the 1910-45 Japanese occupation of Korea threatened to bring to an end the centuries of jang-making traditions, as the imperialists siphoned off most of Korea's soybean production for Japanese use and encouraged the establishment of jang factories, something Kang clearly abhors. Things didn't improve after liberation, which saw periods of famine and the 1950-53 Korean War, a time Kang describes as when "Korea began its superfueled expansion into the modern capitalist world, a movement that almost, but not quite, signaled the end of jang culture." He then goes on to detail how jang-making bounced back beginning in the 2000s, and connects its growth with the global spread of Korean popular culture. He details how the Korean food ministry spent $90 million promoting gochujang to chefs in New York and Los Angeles in the early 2010s. He also talks about how jang-making is being taught in elementary schools. "Today, I'm happy to say we're riding a wave of artisanal jang appreciation," he concludes. Read More Korean 'jang-making' tradition earns UNESCO heritage status [INTERVIEW] 'Jang' has potential to become global favorite [INTERVIEW] 'Jang' is bedrock of Korean existence' Young Korean 'jang' maker hopes to bring back grandmother's taste in Korean traditional soybean sauce The book, published earlier in 2024, laments how jang has not earned the UNESCO recognition that the kimchi-making practice of gimjang itself earned in December 2013. But here we are 11 years later, and we have the perfect book to explain this age-old cultural practice and even help us use various kinds of jang in the kitchen. "Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking" is available through dbbooks.com .
Meta wants to use nuclear power for its data centersFinnish green tech company Langh Tech expands its portfolio of exhaust gas treatment solutions for ships by an innovative system for onboard carbon capture (OCC). Langh Tech’s OCC system supports customers in their decarbonisation journey by reducing CO2 emissions from ship operation. A unique feature of the system is the possibility to sell and utilize the sodium carbonate, which results at the end of the chemical process, for diverse applications in other industries. Thus, Langh Tech combines the environmental benefits of decarbonisation with creating additional value by selling and utilizing the waste product, which marks a significant contribution to creating a circular economy. A pilot project with an OCC installation onboard of one ship of sister company Langh Ship was successfully run in test-mode during 2024. The pilot plant has shown that it is possible to capture rates over 80 percent from the exhaust gas flow coming into the system. The overall CO2-emissions can be reduced at least by 20 to 30 percent, depending on the available space, and other ship and product specifications. The first commercial installations will take place early in 2025 onboard of four bulk carriers. Langh Tech has sold the OCC components to Damen Shipyards Group, who will do the installation on the bulk carriers. The ships will be equipped with a hybrid scrubber and an additional onboard carbon capture system from Langh Tech. Rutger van Dam, Business Development Manager of Damen Shipyards Group explains:” The decision to choose Langh Tech was simple. CO2 capturing is the only economic way to drastically reduce emissions as of now. My main concern was the value of the CO2 end product being created onboard the ship. Langh Tech delivered on every front: a high capture rate, a high-value CO2 end product, and a significant reduction in emissions. From a commercial perspective, it made perfect sense. On a personal note, we share the same vision and goal: to greenify the global fleet. That alignment made Langh Tech the natural choice.” The installations by Langh Tech are part of a project between Atal Solutions, BAM Shipping and Damen Shipyards Group. It aims at retrofitting ships with different technologies and to reduce fuel consumption to achieve a maximum reduction in CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions, while using traditional fuels. The ultimate project goal is to bring CO2 emissions down by up to 60 percent with onboard carbon capture. This could be achieved through the continuous development of the system itself, as well as optimizing other limiting factors, such as installation size and onboard space, ship efficiency, loading and operations, or voyage planning. “This partnership with Damen Shipyard Group and Langh Tech showcases how innovative collaboration drives meaningful change. Atal’s vision and willingness to embrace bold solutions demonstrate how we can address the challenges of decarbonization while unlocking economic and environmental benefits for the maritime sector. By investing in Langh Tech’s onboard carbon capture technology, we’re not just setting a new benchmark for sustainable shipping—we’re also paving the way for future projects and ongoing transformation in the industry. It’s a big leap, but one that aligns with our shared commitment to building a more sustainable future”, says Edwin Sieswerda, Founder and CEO of Atal Solutions. Carbon capture is emerging as a key technology in the transition of shipping towards net-zero as it provides a cost-effective addition to other decarbonisation options. Langh Tech is one of the first movers within the industry. “Our onboard carbon capture solution gives shipowners and operators the possibility to decarbonize and balance their costs. The scarcity and significantly higher costs of carbon-neutral fuels are a substantial hurdle to the decarbonisation of shipping. It will take time until those fuels can be widely used and afforded. We are here to bridge this gap and help companies to decarbonize efficiently and according to their abilities”, says Laura Langh-Lagerlöf, Commercial Director of Langh Tech. “At the same time, it is important to emphasize that the captured CO2 can also be used in the production of biofuels and synthetic fuels. Thus, our technology – if applied smartly – contributes to a green-fuel transition by setting up a circular economy.” Langh Tech’s onboard carbon capture system is based on the long-standing experience of the company in exhaust gas treatment and applies a post-combustion technique. In short, the ship’s exhaust gases containing CO2 are directed into a capture unit. CO2 dissolves into the liquid phase through counter-currently flowing aqueous NaOH solution. A maximized surface area ensures highest possible carbon capture rates. As a result of several consecutive reactions, CO2 is chemically bound into a thermodynamically stable product of sodium carbonate. Langh Tech’s Onboard Carbon Capture system: sustainable life-cycle approach Throughout the whole development process of its onboard carbon capture-system, Langh Tech followed a circular approach. The system does not only reduce emissions but utilises the waste product. This creates monetary value and avoids and reduces emissions in the value chain of other industries. In comparison to other carbon capture technologies, which are mostly based on amines, Langh Tech’s onboard carbon capture system has noteworthy advantages: 1. Value creation and circular economy approach: Sodium carbonate, the solid product, which results in the end of the OCC process, can be turned into value. It can easily be marketed as it is widely applied as a key ingredient by various other industries, for example in the manufacturing of glass and detergents. 2. Less consumption of energy and other resources: With Langh Tech’s post-combustion capture, there is no need for solvent regeneration or CO2 compression, which significantly reduces the additional energy consumption onboard, as well as the resources needed to operate the OCC system. No additional specialized equipment is needed. In turn, the capture reagent, sodium hydroxide, can be produced by electrolysis of sodium chloride using renewable energy. This ensures minimized emissions and sustainability over the whole lifecycle. 3. Simple and safe operations: Langh Tech’s OCC system allows simple operation processes which do not require new specialized equipment. The used chemical is already applied and established in the maritime industry. The sodium carbonate can be collected in containers and be easily transported. 4. Customizable and scalable solutions: Langh Tech’s OCC systems are designed with flexibility in mind. They can be adapted and scaled according to the specific needs of each vessel. This approach ensures a seamless integration of the technology into the existing ship infrastructure, offering a practical solution for a wide range of ship types. Source: Langh Tech