5074: LPG price hike comes for your Uber, Ola, Rapido ride; West Asia war clouds stall Indian startup IPOs, deals; and TN govt to invest in three deeptech startups

In this edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks we tell you how Iraqi tankers navigated the Strait of Hormuz to bring much-needed crude to India, how quiet diplomacy played a role and what is the status of domestic energy security and the latest LPG supply situation. Also learn about the stock market’s reaction to the latest oil price surge and whether the strain on the rupee will last. Also inside: a renewed focus on living wills after the Supreme Court’s recent green signal to passive euthanasia.

In today’s episode of Moneycontrol’s Tech3 Podcast, we break down Blinkit raising ₹450 crore from parent Eternal as the quick-commerce battle heats up with rivals Zepto and Swiggy also bulking up their war chests. We also look at why fintech startup Jupiter’s stake deal with SBM India collapsed, and what it means for neobanks trying to become full-fledged digital banks. Plus, over 1,000 engineering graduates are still waiting for offer letters from Tech Mahindra, nearly a year after campus placements. And finally, the National Stock Exchange moves closer to its long-awaited IPO, appointing 20 merchant bankers and multiple global law firms for the proposed issue.

In this edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks, we bring you the latest on the economic fallout of the Israel-Iran war. Find our comprehensive coverage inside, from the impact of gas production curbs on industry and supply chain blockages to the market reaction. Also, tune in to learn about the major deals and transactions that continue unabated despite the West Asia crisis.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, rising LPG prices linked to West Asia tensions begin hitting ride-hailing drivers and restaurant kitchens across Indian cities. The same geopolitical uncertainty is also making bankers cautious about upcoming startup IPOs. We also look at how changes to Press Note 3 could speed up foreign investment approvals in India’s electronics and semiconductor ecosystem. And Tamil Nadu’s industrial arm TIDCO is preparing to invest in deep-tech startups, including Raptee Energy, Agnikul Cosmos and iVP Semiconductor.

In this edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks find what the scarcity of commercial LPG could mean for your restaurant menus, what the cabinet approval to changes in Press Note 3 signal, how elevated fuel prices could impact India’s current account deficit as the government foots subsidies, why the finance ministry is tracking the rupee’s level on an hourly basis and also take a deep dive into why the current crisis is a triple shock for India. There’s all this and more inside.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, the Israel–Iran war begins to disrupt LPG supplies for restaurants, raising concerns for food delivery platforms and menu prices. The government says India’s semiconductor mission remains on track despite shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Brokerage platforms like Groww continue to add investors, though market volatility could test momentum. And the Centre has discussed easing FDI rules for Chinese investments in non-sensitive sectors, though a final decision is yet to be cleared by the Union Cabinet.

Crude prices surged past $100 a barrel, G7 countries are conferring on an emergency strategy to calm oil markets, and India tries to secure additional supplies. Even precious metals have lost their lustre amid the West Asia unrest. Meanwhile, cost of evacuation from Gulf countries has skyrocketed due to costly insurance premiums, airspace closures and scarcity of flights. Amid the uncertainty, Indian cricket fans are celebrating and domestic consumer demand remains strong.  Tune in for the details and unpack all the day's major developments in the latest Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, Deepinder Goyal expands his deep-tech investment streak with a new bet on drone startup Kalam Labs. Flipkart completes its corporate return to India from Singapore, clearing the path toward a potential IPO. We also look at how startup hiring is picking up but largely for AI and tech roles. And the National Restaurant Association of India warns the government about a possible disruption in commercial LPG supply to restaurants. And India’s T20 World Cup victory could boost endorsement deals for players like Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson.

US ‘waiver’ on Russian oil to India may have brought short-term relief but Chinese competition and Gulf exposure could limit the gains. In pharmaceuticals, exporters could face a Rs 5,000 crore hit as freight costs and insurance premiums climb. Sebi has introduced a voluntary debit freeze facility for mutual fund folios. This and more in the day’s edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh move to curb social media access for teenagers as governments globally rethink rules for young users online. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei apologises for a leaked memo but prepares to challenge the US government’s supply-chain risk designation in court. We also track Vanguard bringing operations back in-house from Infosys, and Flipkart cutting around 300 roles as it sharpens efficiency ahead of a potential IPO.