Thursday afternoon's news in under 5 minutes.

We’ve rounded up all the biggest stories from Australia and around the world.

1. Floyd Mayweather has been denied entry into Australia due to his history of domestic violence.

The Department of Immigration has denied American boxer Floyd Mayweather entry into Australia due to his history of violence against women.

Mayweather was due to begin a promotional tour in Melbourne and Sydney today.

Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Michaelia Cash, told The Sydney Morning Herald that the government is taking its border protection policy very seriously.

“The Government takes very seriously its role in protecting the Australian community from the risk of harm by non-citizens who engage in criminal conduct and/or conduct that is of serious concern,” she said.

Mayweather’s publicist, Max Markson, said full refunds will be offered to fans who were planning to attend the boxer’s events in Australia.

Markson said he will contest the government’s decision not to allow the champion boxer into the country.

2. Friends say farewell to their friend who drowned in Sydney Harbour.

By ABC News

Friends of a 19-year-old who drowned after climbing onto a crane in Sydney Harbour have held a vigil at East Balmain in Sydney.

The man’s body was recovered from the water nearly four hours after he fell or jumped from a crane on a construction barge.

Marcus Atallah was among friends who gathered at the shore after the teenager’s body was recovered.

“[He was a] top bloke, probably enjoyed himself the most out of anyone I know and that’s the way we want, we want people to know him,” Mr Atallah said.

“I think he would want us to be all together, we’re obviously distraught but we’ll do the best we can to, you know, honour him and do the best by him that we can.”

Officers from Marine Area Command pulled the body from the water near a barge shortly before 9:00am.

Police said the man and his friend, both locals, swam out to the construction barge at about 5:00am before climbing onto the crane.

They said the teenager found dead had climbed to the crane’s highest point.

It was not known whether he jumped or fell, but police were told the friend heard a splash after the 19-year-old fell from a height of about 30 metres.

The man’s friend then attempted to search for him in the water for about 10 minutes before alerting neighbours.

Police said alcohol was a factor in the incident.

“This is just a case where it appears that skylarking with some alcohol involved has led to the tragic death of a 19-year-old male which, in this case, could’ve been absolutely avoided,” Acting Inspector Alex Barrell said.

The wharf is currently undergoing refurbishments and is closed to the public.

 A version of this story was originally published on ABC and has been republished with full permission.

3. Peter Greste has paid tribute to those who helped him get through his imprisonment in Egypt.

By ABC News

Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste has spoken to the media in Brisbane after arriving home in Australia early this morning, thanking all of his supporters who championed for his release.

Arriving to cheers from fellow members of the media, Greste was all smiles as he walked into the building.

He paid tribute to his “incredible” family and praised their “dignity, passion and resolve”.

He also thanked Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and her team, the ambassador in Egypt, and the Latvian government, who helped broker his release.

He then publicly recognised his colleagues, Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian national Baher Mohamed, who remain in prison, for the support they gave him.

Greste was emotional when he said: “We’ll see them out.”

A version of this story was originally published on ABC and has been republished with full permission.

4. Eddie Obeid is being forced to surrender his passport.

Former New South Wales Labor minister Eddie Obeid has been given seven days to submit his passport.

Obeid, who was charged with misconduct in public office last year, has been on unconditional bail.

Prosecutor Daniel Noll told court today if Obeid escapes to Lebanon where he has dual citizen it would be “virtually impossible” to extradite him since there is no treaty between the two countries.

Justice David Davies noted while Obeid showed no intention to flee, he did have ties in Lebanon and property holdings.

He said the Crown was seeking “fairly mild conditions”.

5. Serena Williams will end her 14-year boycott of Indian Wells

By ABC News

World number one Serena Williams has buried the hatchet and will return to Indian Wells to play in the tournament she has boycotted for 14 years after suffering racist abuse.

In an interview with TIME magazine, the 19-times major singles champion said she had discovered the “true meaning of forgiveness” and would go for a third title in the Californian resort in March.

“It has been difficult for me to forget spending hours crying in the Indian Wells locker room after winning in 2001, driving back to Los Angeles feeling as if I had lost the biggest game ever – not a mere tennis game but a bigger fight for equality,” the 33-year-old Williams wrote.

“I’m fortunate to be at a point in my career where I have nothing to prove. I’m still as driven as ever, but the ride is a little easier. I play for the love of the game.

“It is with that love in mind, and a new understanding of the true meaning of forgiveness, that I will proudly return to Indian Wells in 2015.”

A version of this story was originally published on ABC and has been republished with full permission.

6. Man has been sentenced to life for murdering his de facto partner.

By Natalie Jones for ABC News

A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering his de facto partner two years ago in Kununurra, in Western Australia’s Kimberley.

Solomon Jabanunga Langdon was convicted by a jury last November of murdering 31-year-old mother of three Flora Nelson.

The Supreme Court heard Langdon and Ms Nelson – both of whom were heavily intoxicated – were arguing at a house on February 5, 2013.

The court heard at some point during the argument Landgon became “wild”.

He kicked and punched Ms Nelson in the face and struck her twice in the face with a shovel handle.

The court heard at one point she may have hit Langdon with an object, most likely a rock.

In his sentencing remarks today Justice Ralph Simmonds said to Landgon: “There was no suggestion made to me that this was comparable to anything you did to her or was provocation or any other explanation to account for what you did.”

Experts determined Ms Nelson died of “multiple blunt force”.

Justice Simmonds said he was not satisfied the attack was premeditated or planned.

A version of this story was originally published on ABC and has been republished with full permission.

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