Pope Benedict XVI publicly baptized on Monday an Egyptian-born Muslim journalist, known for his renunciation of Islamic beliefs. The traditional Easter vigil service held on Monday at St. Peter's Basilica, marked the beginning of 55-year-old Magdi Allam's life as a Roman Catholic, after he admitted that he has been a non-practicing Muslim all his adult life. Taking "Christian" for his middle name, Allam, a deputy director for the Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, wrote in an article, "I had to do this. Beyond extremists and Islamist terrorism at the global level, the root of evil is inherent in a physiologically violent and historically conflictual Islam. "

Sandi Sabloff had been suffering from chronic kidney failure for 20 years. But thanks to kidney donor, 23-year old Australian Ashwyn Falkingham, a member of the Jesus Christians group, more years will be added to Sabloff's life after a successful transplant at the Paraskevaidion Surgical Transplant Centre in Nicosia, Cyprus. Sabloff and Falkingham are reported to be recovering well.

An Australian man announced online that he was putting his entire life up for sale, auctioning it to the highest bidder. According to 44-year-old Ian Usher, the winning bidder will get his home, his car, all his material possessions, and even his job. Usher explained that with regards to the job, the winner would be given a two-week trial employment at a rug shop in Perth, Western Australia.

As thousands of Irish citizens took to the streets in celebration of St. Patrick's Day, several leaders have raised concerns about the need for people to practice restraint when drinking during the celebration. Local authorities announced that they will be keeping a closer eye on people's drinking consumption for this year's celebration, in an effort to avoid incidents such as street fighting or drunk driving - events that have reportedly occurred in the past, right after the celebrations.

An American experimental artist is scheduled to hold an art show involving the preparation of a giant salad to be served to the 300 visitors. The artist, Alison Knowles, will hold the event at the Tate Museum in London. Reports say that the artist will be mixing, chopping, and serving the salad to the guest, with the help of five other museum employees.