News In Brief

Some US areas opened up to Soviets; others closed

A new State Department travel policy has eased some old restrictions on Soviet diplomats, journalists, and business executives, allowing them into areas that had been closed for years. But other areas that were open to Soviet visitors are now closed.

The New York Times reported Sunday the ''off limits'' list now includes California's high-technology ''Silicon Valley'' near San Francisco, as such cities as Houston and Denver. Among the cities previously off limits but now open to Soviets are Birmingham, Ala.; Cleveland; Little Rock, Ark.; Louisville, Ky.; and Phoenix, Ariz., the newspaper said.