Cuba eases private sector curbs amid crisis

Cuba loosened restrictions on private businesses Wednesday, allowing imports of foreign goods and medicines to address a mounting humanitarian crisis. The reforms, approved by parliament last month, lift 46 of 125 prohibitions on private industry. The measures come as the country faces severe shortages worsened by a US oil blockade imposed in January. President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the changes are necessary as Cuba cannot continue on its current course.