Michael Slackman, Cairo bureau chief for the New York Times, opens up his reporter's notebook and takes us far from the headlines.  He describes a city that is so loud it's like living next to a lawn mower from sunrise to sunset, where people die in fights while waiting in bread lines, where social pressures are leading more young people to Islam, and where residents are so eager to help they'll give you the wrong directions rather than say they cannot guide you.

As we mark the 40th anniversary of the first moon walk, we're reminded that the Soviet Union was actually leading the space race in 1969 and planned to put its man on the moon first. The BBC's Moscow Correspondent Rupert Wingfield Hayes reports on how Russia is reacting this week.

What can lawmakers in Washington learn from Massachusetts, on healthcare reform? 97% of Massachusetts residents are insured, since the state passed its mandatory health insurance law in 2006. While coverage has gone up, so have costs, by $4.7 billion. Paul Ginsburg, president of the Center for Studying Health System Change, is our guest.

Ian Hunter is still going strong at the age of 70. His latest solo record is called "Man Overboard." He joins us for a conversation that ranges from his early days with Mott The Hoople ("All The Young Dudes") to the relevance of music in his life today.