World News Update, what you need to know

UNITED NATIONS - The UN General Assembly has adopted a Western-backed resolution declaring Crimea's breakaway referendum illegitimate and refusing to recognise Russia's annexation of the peninsula.

ELSEWHERE:

ARLINGTON, United States - The death toll in the devastating landslide in the US state of Washington is expected to rise "substantially" in the next day or two, an official says.

KUALA LUMPUR - The youngest son of the pilot whose flight is believed lost in the Indian Ocean has dismissed speculation his father may have crashed the plane intentionally, a report says.

NEW DELHI - The World Health Organisation officially has certified India and 10 other Asian countries free of polio, a milestone lauded as a "momentous victory" over an ancient scourge.

NANTERRE, France - A French court has ordered Closer magazine to give Julie Gayet 15,000 euros ($A22,835) in damages for breach-of-privacy after it revealed her relationship with President Francois Hollande.

VATICAN CITY - US President Barack Obama spoke of his admiration for Pope Francis and invited him to the United States at their first talks, but got a reprimand for contraception clauses in his healthcare reform act.