Northern (N): Soviet Union (NS). Weekly Round-Up of Miscellaneous News and Gossip from HM Embassy

A file containing updates from the British embassy in Moscow concerning events in the Soviet Union that were felt to be reportable, but which did not merit detailed consideration. Issues covered in the file include the health of Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet premier; receptions hosted by the Soviet government for diplomatic representatives from South Asian and East Asian countries; and the Soviet treatment of Albania and Yugoslavia in exchanges of New Year greetings published in the Soviet press. Other subjects mentioned include Soviet press attacks on religion; the delayed arrival of winter in Moscow; rumours about personal disagreements between Politburo members; Soviet investigations into Unidentified Flying Objects; and speculation about changes in the leadership of the Agitprop department. The file also contains reports of a Soviet campaign against drunkenness; Soviet estimates of deaths in any nuclear war; food shortages in Yaroslavl, Odessa, and Moscow; and reports of interactions with Soviet citizens.