World News Update, what you need to know

The death toll from Ecuador's biggest earthquake in decades has soared to at least 235 as rescuers using tractors and bare hands hunted desperately for survivors in shattered coastal towns.

ELSEWHERE:

LOS ANGELES - Kevin Rudd has played down his and Helen Clark's chances of becoming United Nations secretary-general, joking he would have a better shot if his surname was "Ruddovich".

LONDON - In a huge immunisation effort in 150 countries, health teams will on Sunday launch what they hope will be the final push against polio.

LONDON - A British Airways passenger aircraft has been hit by what most likely was a drone as it prepared to land at Britain's Heathrow Airport.

MANILA- A leading candidate to become president of the Philippines is under fire for apparently joking about the rape of a murdered Australian missionary.

LONDON - The only boy in a prestigious violin competition in London has beaten 21 girls to achieve first place.

LONDON - Scotland should have the right to hold a new referendum on independence if the country is taken out of the European Union "against our will", the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) says.