HAVANA, Cuba, Nov. 24 (Álvaro Yero / www.cubanet.org) – Police are searching for the person or persons who left needles supposedly infected with the HIV virus in telephone booths.

Four people have said they were pricked by the needles, some when they sat down in a telephone booth. It is not known if any of them later tested positive for HIV.

Authorities suspect that those responsible left the needles out of resentment.

The official news media have not mentioned the needles, but warning signs have been posted near telephone booths.

Hot streets destroy tires on Russian buses

HAVANA, Cuba, Nov. 24 (Leafar Pérez / www.cubanet.org) – Dozens of Russia-made buses have been taken out of service in Havana because their tires can’t stand the hot Cuban streets, according to sources.

Driver Edelmis Rodríguez said in an interview that the tires aren’t made to stand the hot Caribbean asphalt.

José Díaz, a former driver, said the Transportation Ministry has complained to the builders of the buses but that these say local driving conditions nullify any service guarantees.