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Student Christina Appleberry argues that standardized tests are good for her. She doesn't get very good grades because she doesn't do her homework, but she is smart and always does well on tests.

Host Bob Edwards talks with NPR's Tom Gjelten about the U.S. Navy's accidental bombing of observers during training exercises in Kuwait.

Noah Adams talks with reporter Tom Gibb about a massive fire which has crippled an enormous 40-story offshore oil rig located 75-miles off Brazil's Atlantic coast. Officials are trying to prevent a spill of the 400,000 gallons of oil on board. The rig may sink within 48 hours. Three explosions on Thursday damaged a pillar supporting the rig; the explosions killed one worker and left nine others missing and presumed dead. The offshore rig was Brazil's top oil producer in the rich Campos Basin.

The Senate next week will begin a historic 10 days of debate on limiting the sources of cash in political campaigns. Senate Republican leaders have been looking for a compromise bill with the help of President Bush, who wants to restrict money from unions and corporations but allow more leeway for individual contributors. Senate Democrats generally oppose that distinction, and their leader, Tom Daschle of South Dakota, has called the president's approach an attempt to destroy campaign finance reform. NPR's David Welna reports on the pre-debate positioning of the parties.

Donovan Reynolds of Michigan Radio looks at the career of actor David Oyelowo. He's been called "The Black Olivier," and is currently performing the lead in Shakespeare's Henry the Sixth for a touring production by The Royal Shakespeare Company. His casting caused quite a stir in England, where some say only whites should play Shakespeare's kings. Oyelowo sees the role as a way to break one of the last racial barriers in acting.

Already an inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a duo with Art Garfunkel, next week he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a solo artist. As a solo artist, his albums include Still Crazy After All These Years, Graceland, and Rhythm of the Saints. His new album is You're The One.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden in Jerusalem reports that after nearly six months of violence, some Palestinians are beginning to question the aim and the tactics of the uprising in the West Bank and Gaza.

Sheehan reviews Memento.

NPR's Guy Raz reports from the Macedonian city of Tetovo that fighting escalated today between ethnic Albanian rebels and Macedonian security forces. The two sides exchanged fierce gunfire just outside the city -- Macedonia's second largest. Occasional shells and bullets landed in the central square. Most activity has come to a halt. The government says it's preparing for all-out war. Although Macedonia was the one republic to secede from Yugoslavia without bloodshed and an ethnic Albanian party is included in the ruling coalition, the rebels say they're fighting for greater rights for the Albanian community.

Linda Wertheimer traveled to New York City to look into the viability of Web sites run by three news organizations; ABC News, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. All three sites have not reached profitability but all of them have made a firm commitment to remain online. The Wall Street Journal site is the only one that requires subscribers to pay. Recently, advertising revenue has diminished which is making it even harder for these sites to make a profit. ABC News and the New York Times have recently had significant layoffs in their digital divisions.