Dalai Lama returns to Indian headquarters after knee replacement surgery in the US

DHARAMSHALA, India (AP) — The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, returned to the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile in northern India on Wednesday after undergoing a knee replacement surgery in New York.

Hundreds of followers in colorful, flowing robes, waving scarves and flowers, cheered the Dalai Lama at the airport and his residence. Several of them beat drums and performed traditional dances. Tibetan and Buddhist flags adorned poles and railings.

The Dalai Lama, 89, flew to Dharamshala after weeks of recovery at the Nappi Farmhouse in Syracuse, New York, following the surgery on June 28.

Dr. David Mayman, chief of the adult reconstruction and joint replacement service at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, said after the surgery that the Dalai Lama was recovering well and was expected to continue improving over the next six to 12 months.

Dr. Tsetan D Sadutshang and Dr. Tsewang Tamdin, physicians to the Dalai Lama, said last month that the surgical incision had completely healed without any complications. The physiotherapists said they were happy with the speed of his improvement.

The Dalai Lama has made Dharamshala, the hillside town in northern India, his headquarters since fleeing Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. Representatives of a Tibetan government-in-exile also reside there.

The Dalai Lama formally relinquished his political and administrative powers in 2011 and handed his political responsibilities to the community’s elected leadership. But he has remained the spiritual leader of the Tibetan community.

His followers see him as capable of uniting and mobilizing Tibetans inside and outside China.

Over 100,000 Tibetan refugees live in India, Nepal and Bhutan, according to Tibetan organizations. Their number in India is estimated at around 85,000, while many have also moved to countries such as the U.S., Canada, Germany and Switzerland.

China exercises rigid control over all religions and, in recent years, has stepped up a campaign of cultural assimilation targeting Tibetans, Turkic Muslim Uyghurs and other minority groups.

China castigates the Dalai Lama as an advocate for Tibetan independence and has not had direct contact with his representatives for more than a decade.

The Dalai Lama says he merely advocates for Tibet’s substantial autonomy and protection of its native Buddhist culture.

Exiled Tibetans wait to welcome their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before he arrived in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

An exiled Tibetan waits with flowers to welcome her spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before he arrives in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Two elderly exiled Tibetans wait to welcome their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before he arrives in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Exiled Tibetans in costumes practice a traditional dance to welcome their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before he arrives in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Exiled Tibetans wait to welcome their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before he arrived in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Exiled Tibetans wait with ceremonial scarves and flowers to welcome their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before he arrives in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

A security person runs along the vehicle in which Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama sits on his arrival in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Exiled Tibetans wait to welcome their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before he arrived in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama greets a welcoming crowd from inside his car as he arrived in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Novice Buddhist monks wait with ceremonial scarves to welcome Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before he arrived in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Exiled Tibetans wait with ceremonial scarves and flowers to welcome their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before he arrived in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama greets a welcoming crowd from inside his car on his arrival in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Exiled Tibetans wait to welcome their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before he arrived in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Exiled Tibetans wait with ceremonial scarves to welcome their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before he arrived in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama greets a welcoming crowd from inside his car as he arrives in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit pitchers Beau Brieske and Brant Hurter combined for a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles, retiring 21 consecutive batters before Adley Rutschman's eight-pitch walk leading off the eighth on Friday night.

Detroit led 1-0.

Brieske, a 26-year-old right-hander, was planned to start as an opener and retired four batters while throwing 11 of 16 pitches for strikes.

Hunter, a 26-year-old rookie left-hander, struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings while throwing 53 of 71 pitches for strikes. He started 17 of 18 batters with strikes, including his first 14.

Brenan Hanifee relieved after Rutschman's walk.

The closest Baltimore came to a hit was Ryan O'Hearn's fifth-inning soft line drive down the left-field line that landed inches foul.

There have been 24 perfect games, all complete games.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Brant Hurter throws against the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Beau Brieske throws against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)