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Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons against the West—the US, NATO and the EU—thanks to his country’s tech and nuke strengths. North Korea is threatening the US by flexing its sophisticated defense system; Israel and Iran are threatening each other on the strength of their high-tech missiles and AI drones; while the US and China are intimidating one another with their superior AI and defense-security capabilities.

Amid escalating tensions, what if states use AI to control nuclear weapons, operate fighter planes and deploy AI soldiers on battlefields? If they use AI to control nukes, consequences could go beyond the control of humans, impacting humanity immensely, warn AI pioneers. The sapiens’ decisions to develop AI are precise and constrained, whereas AI’s decisions could go against human indoctrination, triggering imprecise and unrestrained actions. Thus, states should act sensibly and regulate AI through multilateral tech and diplomatic channels. 

A senior Nepali Congress leader said on Wednesday that no serious negotiation has been taking place with the CPN-UML about toppling the current coalition government and forming a new one.

The comment from NC leader Ramesh Lekhak comes amid reports that senior leader Shekhar Koirala is in constant talks with UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli to topple the current government and form a new government under leadership of the two parties. 

He said: We are in no hurry to break this (five-party) ruling alliance. NC is the largest party at the Center as well as in the provinces, so talks with other parties are natural. He, however, said talks have been taking place within the NC about forming a new government with UML. Ruling coalitions with small parties have resulted in frequent changes in government, so a section within the party thinks it is better for the NC and the UML to cobble together a new government, he said.

There is a similar opinion within the UML also, but no concrete discussions have taken place between the NC and the UML on this matter, Lekhak added. 

Of late, NC leaders have gone on record saying that they will bring down the current ruling coalition. Before forming the current coalition on March 4, UML had offered premiership to NC. These days, however, UML Chair KP Sharma Oli is ruling out the possibility of NC and UML coming together to form a new government. UML and CPN (Maoist Center) have some outstanding power-sharing issues, but Oli is reportedly in favor of giving continuity to the current ruling coalition for now.

One of the most recent plants to receive the ‘superfood’ label is moringa, known by various names such as sohijan, saijan, sajiwan, munka, munga, or sitalchini, depending on what you call it. The English name ‘moringa’ originated from the Tamil word ‘murungi’ or the Malayalam word ‘muringa.’ This so-called miracle tree, sajiwan, has been standing for thousands of years in every neighborhood of Tarai and the mid-hills.

Nowadays, moringa leaf powder is being sold in the Nepali market, averaging Rs 180 for 100 grams, promising benefits such as enhancing your sex life, balancing hormones, protecting the liver, helping fight free radicals, reducing inflammation, helping to balance blood sugar, improving digestion, and so on.

During my childhood, I never knew about eating moringa leaves. My mother used to make curry from the moringa fruit. The fruit is typically a three-valved capsule, 10 to 60 cm in length, often referred to as a ‘pod’ and resembling a drumstick, hence the name ‘drumstick tree.’ The leaves, on the other hand, were reserved for the animals.

Legend has it that the warriors of Chandragupta Maurya, the disciple of Chanakya who defeated Alexander the Great, were fed moringa leaf extracts. It was believed that this decoction relieved them from the pain and stress of war, making them known for their stamina and valor. Moringa not only provided them with the necessary strength as warriors, but it was also a stress reliever and pain reliever. It’s also said that Roman historians recorded that these warriors needed less sleep and hardly got sick.

The plant is native to South Asia but also grows in Africa, Asia, and South America. South Asian, Greek, and Egyptian civilizations have been using moringa for thousands of years for various purposes.

Research indicates that moringa leaves are extremely nutritious; they contain larger amounts of several important nutrients than common foods. They contain vitamins like A, B1, B3, C, and minerals such as calcium, chromium, protein, zinc, and many more. Often associated with these nutrients are impressive statistics. For instance, moringa leaves contain twice as much protein and four times more calcium than milk, and four times the vitamin A of carrots. Hence, they can help combat malnutrition, especially in developing countries.

So how do you eat moringa then? Curry made from moringa fruit is quite common in Nepali households. Moringa leaves can be eaten fresh, cooked, or dried and powdered. They can be added to soups, stews, smoothies, or yogurt. Moringa pods can be had cooked or pickled. Moringa seeds can be roasted and eaten like nuts or ground into a powder and used as a coffee substitute. Moringa oil can be used for cooking or applied topically to the skin.

For moringa leaf soup, sauté onions and garlic in ghee or oil. Add moringa leaves, water, and your favorite seasonings. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the leaves are tender.

For moringa stir-fry, stir-fry your favorite vegetables with moringa leaves. They can also be wilted with any other green. For moringa pesto, combine moringa leaves, garlic, nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a food processor. Serve with pasta or bread. For moringa tea, steep dried moringa leaves in hot water for 10 minutes. Strain and enjoy.

For moringa flower curry, use fresh, young moringa flowers. Gently wash the flowers in cold water to remove any dirt or insects. Soaking the flowers overnight helps remove bitterness and makes them tender. You can skip this step if you are using young flowers. Mash the flowers after boiling to help release their flavor and blend better with the other ingredients.

Add cooked lentils or chickpeas for extra protein and texture. Include a pinch of turmeric and ground black peppercorn, coriander for a different flavor profile. Temper with ghee, which will give a final touch of richness. If you prefer a spicier dish, add chopped ‘akbare’ or ‘dalle khursani’, or red chili flakes along with the green chili. Serve moringa flower ‘sabzi’ hot with roti, paratha, or steamed rice. You can also enjoy it as a side dish with curries or dals.

However, everything must be consumed in moderation. Consuming large amounts of moringa to increase balance hormones or protect the liver might be dangerous for health. Even Ayurvedic practitioners don’t recommend moringa for pregnant or nursing women. Though the leaves provide pregnant mothers with plenty of vitamins and minerals, the bark may cause uterine contractions.  If you are taking medications, it’s recommended to consult a doctor or Ayurvedic practitioner before consuming moringa. Ayurveda says moringa’s heating nature can aggravate pitta, and its bitter taste and light, dry qualities could potentially unbalance vata.

Lab studies show that moringa could lead to liver and kidney damage as well as infertility. It can also cause problems with certain diabetes medication. It can also lower blood pressure and slow heart rate because of the alkaloids in the plant. There might be uterine contractions from moringa bark, and cell mutations caused by a chemical isolated from roasted moringa seeds. It can cause interference with fertility and upset stomach, gas, or diarrhea due to its laxative properties. So, as with anything and everything else, exercise caution and moderation when taking mornings.

The author is a UK based R&D chef

Jordan Chhetri, a cancer survivor, has embarked on an expedition to climb Mt Everest to raise money for the hospital that cared for him. He was 14 when the doctor told him that he had State 4 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He beat the disease after nine months of intensive treatment and set up a charity, Perform with Purpose, to raise money for children with cancer by climbing Mt Everest. He also aims to be the first Nepali/English cancer survivor to stand on the Everest summit. In an interview with ApEx, Chhetri talked about his preparation for the Everest expedition. Excerpts: 

How is your health now?

I am in very good health. I have been training for this purpose for 14 months now.

How did it feel to get permission to climb Mount Everest given your health condition?

When I spoke with my doctor about this project, he said it's absolutely fine. I was ecstatic when those words came out.

You were diagnosed with cancer at the age of 13. What was that time like?

It was a strange feeling. I cannot describe this; you have this thing inside of you, threatening to take your life. So it felt scary, to say the least. No one knows how it happens; sometimes it just does, and I am okay with that. I underwent intense chemotherapy which lasted for around nine months. One does not really return to normalcy because there is always a fear of it coming back. But I learned early on that if you dwell on that fear, you will only get depressed and worried. I do not have enough hours in the day to worry about things I can not control.

I am 29 years old now. I will be the first Nepali/English cancer survivor in history to summit the massive mountain! I am doing this for the support of the Southampton Hospitals Charity, for children coming to be treated at the same hospital where I received treatment, inside the Southampton Charity Hospital, specifically on the 5th floor, in the Piam Brown Ward.

How long have you been in Nepal? What kind of preparations are being made for your expedition?

I have been in Nepal for 22 days now. I have been learning and training with the British Gurkha Training Centre in Pokhara. These guys, who are striving to be elite, are something else -hardworking and dedicated to their craft. I am currently in Namche Bazaar, taking an active rest day. This place is beautiful. I have no other words to describe Namche. All the preparatory works, including training, gear check, and briefing, have been completed. I have already received a permit to summit Everest.

You have come to Nepal to climb Mount Everest. Does it have any purpose, or is it just your hobby?

I came to Nepal to learn about the country and climb the world's tallest mountain to test my limits and see how far I can push my body. This mountain is the perfect place for that.

Do you also have plans to support cancer patients in Nepal?

I reached out to some Nepali cancer charities, but none of them ever got back to me. So, I have been raising money solely for the Piam Brown Ward of the Southampton Hospitals.

Who else is in your Everest expedition team?

I am climbing with Gelje Sherpa of AGA Adventures. These guys have been nothing short of amazing, helping me with all my administration work. Adrianna Brownlee of AGA Adventures has been on call 24/7 to answer any questions I had leading up to my project.