August 21, 2026

July 2026

Japan backs 2027 MAHSR timeline as India’s eyes 7,000-km high-speed rail expansion. Photo credit: ANI NEW DELHI: Japan reaffirmed its support for India’s ambitious high-speed rail programme, backing the government’s target of starting commercial operations on priority sections of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor by 2027. The commitment came during bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi in New Delhi, where both sides also agreed to deepen cooperation on next-generation mobility and future high-speed rail projects.The two countries signed a memorandum of cooperation on the Next-Generation Mobility Partnership, combining Japan’s expertise in advanced mobility technologies with India’s manufacturing capabilities, skilled workforce and growing transport market.Looking beyond the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, PM Modi invited Japanese companies to participate in India’s long-term vision of building a 7,000-km national high-speed rail network, signalling the government’s intention to rapidly expand bullet train connectivity across the country.Mumbai-Ahmedabad remains the flagship projectAt the centre of the India-Japan partnership is the 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor, India’s first bullet train project, being built using Japan’s world-renowned Shinkansen technology and operational standards.Once operational, the corridor will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad from the current eight to nine hours by road to less than two hours. The trains have been designed for a maximum speed of 350 kmph, while commercial services are expected to operate at 320 kmph.Construction on the project began in September 2017, with commercial operations on priority sections targeted for 2027.The corridor stretches across Maharashtra, Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, connecting 12 stations at Mumbai (BKC), Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.Sabarmati station is being developed as a major multimodal transport hub integrating the bullet train with the metro, Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and the conventional railway network.Nearly 90 per cent of the route is elevated, with construction being carried out using the Full Span Launching Method, a bridge-building technology being deployed in India for the first time that significantly speeds up construction compared to conventional methods.India’s first undersea railway tunnelAmong the project’s most significant engineering achievements is a 21-km tunnel section in Maharashtra, which includes India’s first undersea railway tunnel.Around 7 km of the tunnel will pass beneath Thane Creek, constructed using a combination of the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) and Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). The project also uses India’s largest rail tunnel boring machine, equipped with a 13.6-metre cutter head.The corridor includes 25 river bridges, 28 steel bridges, earthquake detection systems and advanced weather monitoring systems capable of detecting heavy rainfall and strong winds to improve operational safety.By 2026, several major construction milestones had already been achieved, including tunnel breakthroughs in Palghar, deployment of Tunnel Boring Machines at Vikhroli and Sawli, launch of a 130-metre steel bridge near Bharuch, and installation of heavy portal beams across active railway tracks in Ahmedabad.Economic impact and Make in IndiaBeyond faster travel, the project is expected to create a significant economic impact. Officials estimate that the corridor will generate around 4,000 direct jobs and 35,000 to 40,000 indirect employment opportunities, while nearly 40,000 workers are currently engaged in construction.To support the country’s growing high-speed rail sector, India has established a dedicated High-Speed Rail Training Institute in Vadodara to develop domestic expertise in bullet train technology.The project is also a key component of the government’s Make in India initiative, with Indian companies supplying steel, cement, electrical equipment and other materials for construction, while local industries are gradually building capabilities in advanced railway engineering.The 7,000-km high-speed rail visionThe Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is only the first phase of a much larger national strategy.The union budget 2026-27 announced plans for seven additional high-speed rail corridors, including Delhi-Varanasi, Chennai-Bengaluru and Mumbai-Pune, together spanning nearly 4,000 km and expected to attract investments worth around Rs16 lakh crore.With the inclusion of future corridors, the government aims to create a 7,000-km high-speed rail network, making bullet trains a key pillar of India’s long-term transport infrastructure strategy. During the bilateral meeting, PM Modi specifically invited Japanese companies to participate in the development of these upcoming corridors.The joint statement also noted the shared goal of introducing the next-generation E10 Shinkansen trains on India’s high-speed rail network in the future.Partnership extends beyond railwaysWhile the bullet train project remains the flagship initiative, the India-Japan partnership now spans several strategic sectors.Both leaders highlighted the importance of India’s North Eastern Region in promoting a stable and resilient Indo-Pacific under the Act East Policy. Japan reaffirmed its support for road construction, bridges and disaster risk reduction projects in the region while both countries agreed to strengthen industrial value chains linking the Northeast with the Bay of Bengal and BIMSTEC economies.The two Prime Ministers also reviewed progress on other Japanese-supported infrastructure projects, including Mumbai Metro Line 11, Bengaluru Metro Phase 3, healthcare and education infrastructure in Maharashtra, and sustainable horticulture projects in Punjab.Growing people-to-people tiesThe two countries also agreed to strengthen cultural and educational cooperation.According to the joint statement, visitor exchanges between India and Japan crossed 540,000 in 2025, with both governments committing to promote two-way tourism and expand cooperation on consular affairs.The leaders reaffirmed support for Japanese language education in India through the Nihongo Partners programme and recognised the growing role of anime, manga, gaming and films in strengthening cultural ties between young people in both countries.States and cities deepen cooperationIndia and Japan are also expanding cooperation at the state and city level.The two Prime Ministers welcomed the establishment of the India-Japan Governors’ Network for Friendship and Exchange, highlighting partnerships between Yamanashi Prefecture and Uttar Pradesh, Toyama Prefecture and Andhra Pradesh, Shizuoka Prefecture and Gujarat, Hamamatsu City and Ahmedabad, Wakayama Prefecture and Maharashtra, San’in Region and Kerala, Ehime Prefecture and Tamil Nadu, Fukuoka Prefecture and Delhi, and Kitakyushu City and Telangana.Taken together, the agreements position the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train not merely as India’s first high-speed railway but as the foundation of a much broader India-Japan partnership encompassing advanced mobility, infrastructure, manufacturing, regional connectivity, education, technology and cultural exchange.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFamily Alleges Indian Seafarer’s Body Returned Without Organs; Embassy Demands InvestigationISRO Bengaluru Campus Searched After Bomb Threat Email; Police Say No Explosives FoundFirst Arrest Made In Bengaluru Daycare Abuse Case After Nationwide OutrageBluetooth Security Flaw In Some E-Rickshaw Batteries Allows Remote Shutdown: ReportsHardeep Singh Puri Busts Ethanol Fuel Myths, Says Mileage Drop Is Minor And Insurance Remains ValidOmar Abdullah Questions Backlash Over India-Pak Talks, Says RSS Favours Dialogue TooUnesco Warns Pakistan Over ‘Reconstructions’ At Taxila, Threatens Danger ListNHAI Under Fire As Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Develops Major Potholes 3 Months After Inauguration’Insult To Shivaji, Bhagat Singh’: CJP Founder Dipke Demands ACP’s Suspension Over Library RowMission Aagaman Explained: How Vikram-1 Could Make Indian Space History123PhotostoriesFrom a lush garden to a massive living room and stunning paintings: Inside Smriti Irani’s lavish mansionPsychology says women who find it hard to say ‘No’ often share these 8 personality traitsPsychology says difficult mothers-in-law aren’t always trying to be difficult and it is not personal always; here’s what may really be happeningYour baby is crying and you don’t know why: Here are the 8 common reasons experts want every parent to know5 habits that make you a better lover than almost everyone around you5 snake myths every traveller should stop believing and what nature lover and adventure seeker needs to knowPsychology says men who understand these 10 traits of women often build stronger and healthier relationshipsAhead of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding, here’s look at some of the most iconic celebrity weddings of all timeWhat would you do? My partner likes every post of a woman he doesn’t know; 5 women on what they did about itOnce part of poor people’s diet, these 10 foods are now luxury health staples123Hot PicksTrump tariffsLuka Modric Net WorthEPF Scheme 2026Amarnath Yatra 2026Income Tax Return FilingMumbai rainUS unemploymentMicrosoft layoffsIndia Japal TradeTop TrendingBrittany MahomesTravis KelceKansas CityFIFA World Cup 2026GTA 6 Estimated SizeNew England PatriotsCandace OwensFIFA War DecisionCA Toppers ListAnitha Radhakrishnan

Japan backs 2027 MAHSR timeline as India’s eyes 7,000-km high-speed rail expansion. Photo credit: ANI NEW DELHI: Japan reaffirmed its support for India’s ambitious high-speed rail programme, backing the government’s target of starting commercial operations on priority sections of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor by 2027. The commitment came during bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi in New Delhi, where both sides also agreed to deepen cooperation on next-generation mobility and future high-speed rail projects.The two countries signed a memorandum of cooperation on the Next-Generation Mobility Partnership, combining Japan’s expertise in advanced mobility technologies with India’s manufacturing capabilities, skilled workforce and growing transport market.Looking beyond the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, PM Modi invited Japanese companies to participate in India’s long-term vision of building a 7,000-km national high-speed rail network, signalling the government’s intention to rapidly expand bullet train connectivity across the country.Mumbai-Ahmedabad remains the flagship projectAt the centre of the India-Japan partnership is the 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor, India’s first bullet train project, being built using Japan’s world-renowned Shinkansen technology and operational standards.Once operational, the corridor will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad from the current eight to nine hours by road to less than two hours. The trains have been designed for a maximum speed of 350 kmph, while commercial services are expected to operate at 320 kmph.Construction on the project began in September 2017, with commercial operations on priority sections targeted for 2027.The corridor stretches across Maharashtra, Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, connecting 12 stations at Mumbai (BKC), Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati.Sabarmati station is being developed as a major multimodal transport hub integrating the bullet train with the metro, Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and the conventional railway network.Nearly 90 per cent of the route is elevated, with construction being carried out using the Full Span Launching Method, a bridge-building technology being deployed in India for the first time that significantly speeds up construction compared to conventional methods.India’s first undersea railway tunnelAmong the project’s most significant engineering achievements is a 21-km tunnel section in Maharashtra, which includes India’s first undersea railway tunnel.Around 7 km of the tunnel will pass beneath Thane Creek, constructed using a combination of the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) and Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). The project also uses India’s largest rail tunnel boring machine, equipped with a 13.6-metre cutter head.The corridor includes 25 river bridges, 28 steel bridges, earthquake detection systems and advanced weather monitoring systems capable of detecting heavy rainfall and strong winds to improve operational safety.By 2026, several major construction milestones had already been achieved, including tunnel breakthroughs in Palghar, deployment of Tunnel Boring Machines at Vikhroli and Sawli, launch of a 130-metre steel bridge near Bharuch, and installation of heavy portal beams across active railway tracks in Ahmedabad.Economic impact and Make in IndiaBeyond faster travel, the project is expected to create a significant economic impact. Officials estimate that the corridor will generate around 4,000 direct jobs and 35,000 to 40,000 indirect employment opportunities, while nearly 40,000 workers are currently engaged in construction.To support the country’s growing high-speed rail sector, India has established a dedicated High-Speed Rail Training Institute in Vadodara to develop domestic expertise in bullet train technology.The project is also a key component of the government’s Make in India initiative, with Indian companies supplying steel, cement, electrical equipment and other materials for construction, while local industries are gradually building capabilities in advanced railway engineering.The 7,000-km high-speed rail visionThe Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is only the first phase of a much larger national strategy.The union budget 2026-27 announced plans for seven additional high-speed rail corridors, including Delhi-Varanasi, Chennai-Bengaluru and Mumbai-Pune, together spanning nearly 4,000 km and expected to attract investments worth around Rs16 lakh crore.With the inclusion of future corridors, the government aims to create a 7,000-km high-speed rail network, making bullet trains a key pillar of India’s long-term transport infrastructure strategy. During the bilateral meeting, PM Modi specifically invited Japanese companies to participate in the development of these upcoming corridors.The joint statement also noted the shared goal of introducing the next-generation E10 Shinkansen trains on India’s high-speed rail network in the future.Partnership extends beyond railwaysWhile the bullet train project remains the flagship initiative, the India-Japan partnership now spans several strategic sectors.Both leaders highlighted the importance of India’s North Eastern Region in promoting a stable and resilient Indo-Pacific under the Act East Policy. Japan reaffirmed its support for road construction, bridges and disaster risk reduction projects in the region while both countries agreed to strengthen industrial value chains linking the Northeast with the Bay of Bengal and BIMSTEC economies.The two Prime Ministers also reviewed progress on other Japanese-supported infrastructure projects, including Mumbai Metro Line 11, Bengaluru Metro Phase 3, healthcare and education infrastructure in Maharashtra, and sustainable horticulture projects in Punjab.Growing people-to-people tiesThe two countries also agreed to strengthen cultural and educational cooperation.According to the joint statement, visitor exchanges between India and Japan crossed 540,000 in 2025, with both governments committing to promote two-way tourism and expand cooperation on consular affairs.The leaders reaffirmed support for Japanese language education in India through the Nihongo Partners programme and recognised the growing role of anime, manga, gaming and films in strengthening cultural ties between young people in both countries.States and cities deepen cooperationIndia and Japan are also expanding cooperation at the state and city level.The two Prime Ministers welcomed the establishment of the India-Japan Governors’ Network for Friendship and Exchange, highlighting partnerships between Yamanashi Prefecture and Uttar Pradesh, Toyama Prefecture and Andhra Pradesh, Shizuoka Prefecture and Gujarat, Hamamatsu City and Ahmedabad, Wakayama Prefecture and Maharashtra, San’in Region and Kerala, Ehime Prefecture and Tamil Nadu, Fukuoka Prefecture and Delhi, and Kitakyushu City and Telangana.Taken together, the agreements position the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train not merely as India’s first high-speed railway but as the foundation of a much broader India-Japan partnership encompassing advanced mobility, infrastructure, manufacturing, regional connectivity, education, technology and cultural exchange.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFamily Alleges Indian Seafarer’s Body Returned Without Organs; Embassy Demands InvestigationISRO Bengaluru Campus Searched After Bomb Threat Email; Police Say No Explosives FoundFirst Arrest Made In Bengaluru Daycare Abuse Case After Nationwide OutrageBluetooth Security Flaw In Some E-Rickshaw Batteries Allows Remote Shutdown: ReportsHardeep Singh Puri Busts Ethanol Fuel Myths, Says Mileage Drop Is Minor And Insurance Remains ValidOmar Abdullah Questions Backlash Over India-Pak Talks, Says RSS Favours Dialogue TooUnesco Warns Pakistan Over ‘Reconstructions’ At Taxila, Threatens Danger ListNHAI Under Fire As Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Develops Major Potholes 3 Months After Inauguration’Insult To Shivaji, Bhagat Singh’: CJP Founder Dipke Demands ACP’s Suspension Over Library RowMission Aagaman Explained: How Vikram-1 Could Make Indian Space History123PhotostoriesFrom a lush garden to a massive living room and stunning paintings: Inside Smriti Irani’s lavish mansionPsychology says women who find it hard to say ‘No’ often share these 8 personality traitsPsychology says difficult mothers-in-law aren’t always trying to be difficult and it is not personal always; here’s what may really be happeningYour baby is crying and you don’t know why: Here are the 8 common reasons experts want every parent to know5 habits that make you a better lover than almost everyone around you5 snake myths every traveller should stop believing and what nature lover and adventure seeker needs to knowPsychology says men who understand these 10 traits of women often build stronger and healthier relationshipsAhead of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding, here’s look at some of the most iconic celebrity weddings of all timeWhat would you do? My partner likes every post of a woman he doesn’t know; 5 women on what they did about itOnce part of poor people’s diet, these 10 foods are now luxury health staples123Hot PicksTrump tariffsLuka Modric Net WorthEPF Scheme 2026Amarnath Yatra 2026Income Tax Return FilingMumbai rainUS unemploymentMicrosoft layoffsIndia Japal TradeTop TrendingBrittany MahomesTravis KelceKansas CityFIFA World Cup 2026GTA 6 Estimated SizeNew England PatriotsCandace OwensFIFA War DecisionCA Toppers ListAnitha Radhakrishnan

Vamsikrishna06 mins mins

Japan backs 2027 MAHSR timeline as India’s eyes 7,000-km high-speed rail expansion. Photo credit: ANI NEW DELHI: Japan reaffirmed its support for India’s ambitious high-speed rail programme, backing the government’s target of starting commercial operations on priority sections of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor by 2027. The commitment came during bilateral talks between…

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“Counselling is an integral part of school education, not an add-on”: What CBSE’s new policy means for students and schools

“Counselling is an integral part of school education, not an add-on”: What CBSE’s new policy means for students and schools

Vamsikrishna07 mins mins

How the CBSE Counselling Mandate Is Transforming Student Support in Schools. (AI Image) In January 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) took a landmark step by making school counselling mandatory across all affiliated schools. Under its revised affiliation by-laws, every CBSE school must appoint a dedicated counselling and wellness teacher for socio-emotional support…

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Penélope Cruz says Bad Bunny finally made her a “cool mom” in her kids’ eyes after concert moment

Penélope Cruz says Bad Bunny finally made her a “cool mom” in her kids’ eyes after concert moment

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Cruz shared that the Puerto Rican superstar instantly boosted her status in her kids’ eyes.Image credit (Instagram) Penélope Cruz has credited Bad Bunny with helping her achieve what she describes as a major parenting milestone: finally being considered cool by her children. The 52-year-old actress opened up about her experience meeting the musician during a…

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102 missed alerts, broken anti-drone system: US govt watchdog details security failures in 2024 Trump shooting

102 missed alerts, broken anti-drone system: US govt watchdog details security failures in 2024 Trump shooting

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

File photo of Donald Trump injured while campaigning for US elections The US Secret Service failed to receive 102 local police radio transmissions about the gunman who attempted to assassinate US President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024. It did not establish a joint communications room with local law…

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Jul 03, 2026, 14:30 IST

Jul 03, 2026, 14:30 IST

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Spain football team (via Getty Images) Spain continued their impressive FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Austria in the Round of 32. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, while Pedro Porro added another goal as Luis de la Fuente’s side booked their place in the round of 16 with another dominant performance.The…

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Delhi’s EV policy poses big risk if adopted by other states, warns report – here’s why

Delhi’s EV policy poses big risk if adopted by other states, warns report – here’s why

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The report said the immediate financial impact on automakers is likely to be modest Delhi’s newly notified Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2026 could speed up the transition to cleaner mobility, but the bigger challenge for automobile manufacturers may arise if similar policies are adopted by other states, according to a Morgan Stanley report.The brokerage said…

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NIFT Counselling 2026 Round 2 choice filling begins: Check direct link to apply here

NIFT Counselling 2026 Round 2 choice filling begins: Check direct link to apply here

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NIFT has launched the Round 2 preference submission and modification process for its 2026 counselling, allowing eligible candidates to update their campus and programme selections until July 5. Applicants who edited their forms must complete document verification by July 3. The institute is scheduled to release the Round 2 seat allotment list on July 7,…

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‘I could’ve made it bigger than Dhurandhar’: Priyadarshan breaks silence on his exit from Akshay Kumar starrer ‘Hera Pheri 3’ over repeated ‘insults’

‘I could’ve made it bigger than Dhurandhar’: Priyadarshan breaks silence on his exit from Akshay Kumar starrer ‘Hera Pheri 3’ over repeated ‘insults’

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

‘I could’ve made it bigger than Dhurandhar’: Priyadarshan breaks silence on his exit from Akshay Kumar starrer ‘Hera Pheri 3’ over repeated ‘insults’ from producer Firoze Nadiadwala ‘Hera Pheri 3’ has once again found itself in troubled waters. Although the third instalment of the beloved comedy franchise was officially announced in January 2025, the film…

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OpenAI, Anthropic, Amazon and now Microsoft: Why some of the biggest technology companies are sending thousands of their employees to ‘sit in’ customers’ offices

OpenAI, Anthropic, Amazon and now Microsoft: Why some of the biggest technology companies are sending thousands of their employees to ‘sit in’ customers’ offices

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Big Tech has found a new obsession, and it isn’t another chatbot. Over the past few months, five of the world’s most powerful technology companies have quietly reached the same conclusion: selling AI software isn’t enough anymore. Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, OpenAI and Anthropic have all announced plans to physically send thousands of their own engineers…

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Updated: Jul 03, 2026, 14:19 IST

Updated: Jul 03, 2026, 14:19 IST

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez defended the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions that shaped his side’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, while Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic criticised the officiating but refused to blame it entirely for his team’s exit.Portugal booked their place…

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India’s services sector growth falls to 17-month low as hiring stalls, demand weakens: Report

India’s services sector growth falls to 17-month low as hiring stalls, demand weakens: Report

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The slowdown was driven by the weakest increase in new orders in more than two-and-a-half years India’s services sector growth slowed to a 17-month low in June as weaker domestic demand, softer new business growth and subdued hiring weighed on overall activity, according to the latest HSBC India Services PMI survey released on Friday.The seasonally…

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Travis Kelce reacts to AI wedding photo dropped by comedian Bert Kreischer with Taylor Swift hours before rehearsal dinner

Travis Kelce reacts to AI wedding photo dropped by comedian Bert Kreischer with Taylor Swift hours before rehearsal dinner

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The comedian jokingly inserted himself into the couple’s wedding celebrations with a playful AI-generated image.Image credit (Instagram) Travis Kelce has weighed in on the social media fun surrounding his anticipated wedding to Taylor Swift by reacting to a comedian’s AI-generated wedding photo. On Thursday July 2, Bert Kreischer shared a fabricated image of himself posed…

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