Saturday's news in less than two minutes.

Labor to support Coalition deficit levy

The ALP have placed their support behind the Coalition’s deficit levy, according to Fairfax Media. The levy, which will be paid by taxpayers who earn more than $180,000 a year, is designed to assist the government in returning the budget to surplus. The ALP have opposed most other controversial federal budget measures, including university fee deregulation, GP co-op payments and the paid parental leave scheme.

The Palmer United Party and the Greens have both opposed the deficit levy.

Opposition claims victory in Indian election

Narenda Modi is the new prime minister of India after the Bharatiya Janata Party claimed victory over the Indian National Congress Party. Modi defeated Rahul Gandhi, the grandson and of former prime ministers Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. The Bharatiya Janata Party supports a Hindu nationalist agenda.

Nigerian President cancels visit to abducted schoolgirls’ town

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has cancelled his planned visit to the town where more than 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Islamist insurgents due to safety concerns. Jonathan was going to visit the town of Chibok to speak to the families of the girls who have been abducted by Boko Haram. The Nigerian government is facing growing public dissatisfaction after ruling out a prisoner release in exchange for the abducted girls.

Tensions increase over South China Sea border dispute

Tensions in Vietnam are building after Chain’s deployment of an oil rig in Vietnamese waters triggered unrest in Vietnam. China’s boundary discretion in the hotly disputed – and national resource rich – South China Sea triggered boat ramming incidents, followed by a series of violent protests in Hanoi in which two Chinese citizens were killed and over 100 injured.

Woman wins embryo custody battle

A US woman has received custody of her frozen embryos, following a legal battle with her ex-boyfriend. The 42-year-old Chicago woman was awarded custody of the embryos, which were created using matter from both parties after the woman was diagnosed with lymphona in 2009, despite the man arguing that such a decision would violate his right not to procreate. Ultimately the judge determined that the woman’s desire to have a biological child outweighed the man’s right not to procreate.

Australian fashion designer found dead at East Perth Home

Australian fashion designer Ruth Tarvydas has been found dead in her East Perth apartment. Tarvydas, who has believed to be aged in her late 60s, opened her first boutique in Perth in the 1960s, before building a global fashion brand encompassing boutiques in Paris and South-East Asia. She was the designer behind Rebecca Judd’s famous 2004 Brownlow Medal red dress. Judd tweeted a message upon hearing the news, saying, “you changed my life with your red dress Ruth. RIP you beautiful lady.”

Australia may no longer be home to the world’s highest minimum wage

Switzerland will head to the polls this weekend, to decide whether to implement the world’s highest minimum wage. The wage would be 22 Swiss francs an hour, which converts to roughly $26.36. Australia is currently home to the world’s highest minimum wage, paying adult workers at least $16.37/hour.

US housemates return over $US40,000 found in second-hand couch to elderly widow

Three US housemates have returned $US40,800 to its rightful owner, after finding it hidden in the arms of a couch they had purchased from the Salvation Army. The housemates noticed that the arms of the couch – which they purchased for $US55 – were lumpy, and opened them up to find the cash hidden in envelopes, along with a deposit slip with a woman’s details. The housemates returned the cash to the 91-year-old widow, whose family had sold the couch without her knowledge.

Australia’s first cat cafe to open in Melbourne

Australia’s first cat cafe is set to open in Melbourne’s CBD. Owners Anita and Myles Loughran were inspired to start up the feline-friendly restaurant after visiting a cat cafe in Asia. News Limited has reported that cats from The Lost Dogs’ Home and the Geelong Animal Welfare Society will occupy the space, although they will be separated from diners with airlocks. The cafe is due to open on Melbourne’s Queen St in July.