BEIJING, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Reigning Olympic champions Argentina knocked off Serbia 75-60 while Australia beat Angola 81-78 on Thursday to reach the finals of the FIBA Diamond Cup, a warm-up event for the Beijing Games.

BEIJING, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Australia's Olympic squad advanced to the final of the FIBA Diamond Cup on Thursday, beating African champions Angola 81-78 on a CJ Bruton three-pointer at the buzzer.

ATHENS, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - An Australian tourist beaten by bouncers at a nightclub on the Greek island of Mykonos is brain dead and his family will likely allow his life support to be switched off, his father said Thursday.

LONDON, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - British and Australian troops from World War I, whose remains were found in a mass grave in France, are to be reburied individually, both governments said in a joint statement Thursday.

SYDNEY, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - One of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's ancestors was a street urchin sentenced to death for stealing a dress and underwear, researchers said Thursday.

SYDNEY, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Rugby League World Cup organisers restated player eligibility rules Thursday for the 10 nations taking part, which were preparing to submit interim squads this week ahead of the 2008 competition.

AUCKLAND, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Injuries have forced the All Blacks to cobble together a makeshift backline for this weekend's crucial rematch against the Wallabies as they make a desperate bid to regain rugby respectability.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Libby Trickett is poised to become one of the multi-medal winners in the pool at this year's Beijing Olympics, but the Australian was keen to play down expectations Thursday.

Trickett, 23, is targeting the 50m, 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly and the two 100m relays for a potential five medal haul.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Australian head coach Alan Thompson on Thursday predicted the Olympic swimming competition will be the fastest and toughest ever witnessed.

AUCKLAND, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - The injury-hit All Blacks on Thursday named Richard Kahui as a surprise choice on the wing for the second Tri-Nations Test against the Wallabies but were unable to confirm the hooker and halfback spots.

The full line-up is not expected to be settled until Friday, 24 hours before kick-off.