After 19 years in prison, China has freed an elderly Tibetan teacher - a release one leading activist said was an attempt to please the United States.

Tanak Jigme Sangpo, 76, was set free Sunday from Drapchi Prison in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, said John Kamm, president of the San Francisco-based Duihua Foundation. Chinese officials said he was released on medical parole, Kamm said.

China's longest-serving political prisoner, Jigme Sangpo was arrested in September 1983 and sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of "counterrevolutionary incitement and propaganda" for campaigning against Chinese rule in Tibet, according to Kamm.

His sentence was extended twice after that and had been due to expire on Sept. 3, 2011, when he would be in his mid-80s. Prison authorities exempted him from physical labor several years ago because of his age, Kamm said.

U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos, a prominent critic of the Chinese government, visited Beijing in January and asked Chinese officials to reconsider Jigme Sangpo's case.

"I deeply appreciate this humanitarian gesture by the Chinese," the California Democrat said in a statement. "I urge the Chinese to make further progress in releasing political prisoners and restoring the human rights of its citizens."

General Motors Corp. announced yesterday that it is recalling 1.9 million cars because of a possible electrical problem that could cause a steering column fire.

The world's largest automaker wants to modify 1995-97 Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire and 1996-97 Buick Skylark, Pontiac Grand Am, and Oldsmobile Achieva cars by installing a low current relay in the ignition circuit.

There are no reports of fires caused by the problem while the vehicles are being driven, GM said. But in some cases, there have been claims of smoke following an unsuccessful attempt to start the car, the automaker said.

"The ignition switch may deteriorate if the engine fails to crank and the driver holds the key in the 'start' position for an extended period," Lori Queen, GM small car vehicle line executive, said in a statement. "High current flows through the ignition switch and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts."

The repairs are to performed at no cost to owners.

An extradition hearing scheduled yesterday for a man sought in a New York murder was delayed after local authorities filed a felony flight charge against him.

Bernard "Ben" Sorrentino Sr. 46, of Auburn, N.Y., could also face local charges stemming from a high-speed chase with police last week.

Sorrentino is wanted in the killing of Angela Sorrentino, who died of multiple stab wounds and a slashed throat at the couple's home in mid-March.

Authorities found him Saturday in Hereford, roughly 90 miles southeast of Tucson, after he knocked on a woman's door and asked her to call a cab, officials said.

The woman, who had seen photos of the fugitive, agreed to help, but called police instead.

Sorrentino is being held in the Cochise County Jail without bond. His local case will either go to a preliminary hearing or to the grand jury.