Castro video scotches rumours he has died

The ailing Fidel Castro made his first public appearance in more than a month, walking and ridiculing rumours of his death in a video aired on Cuban state television.

The 80-year-old Cuban leader, who temporarily ceded power to his brother Raul in July following intestinal surgery, appeared thin and tired, but read the newspaper in a loud voice and was shown walking slowly but steadily in an unidentified room.