Castro gives crucial backing to Cuba reforms

Cuba's powerful ex-president Raul Castro on Wednesday threw his weight behind liberal reforms aimed at reviving the collapsing economy in the face of a crippling US blockade.

The Cuban government has announced a series of fast-track reforms to open more sectors to private investment, attract more capital from Cubans living abroad and shrink the state.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel has presented the measures -- some of which are set to be approved by the National Assembly on Thursday, just a week a ...