Muslim mobs upset over an alleged derogatory comment about the prophet of Islam burned down more than 180 Christian-owned houses and shops and at least two church buildings here on Saturday (March 9) after authorities told police to "let them vent their grief and anger," officials said.

Lahore's impoverished Joseph Colony looked like a war-ravaged town by Saturdaynight. There were no reports of casualties, but the site was reminiscent of the destruction in Gojra in 2009, when eight Christians were burned alive, 100 houses looted and 50 homes set ablaze after a blasphemy accusation.

"The police let our homes burn and be vandalized … a heavy price to pay when you are a Christian in Pakistan," an area resident identified only as Shaukat told Morning Star NewsSaturday night as he walked dingy streets littered with burnt furniture and appliances, smoke billowing from small houses while firemen continued to put out blazes. "The entire locality was left to the mobs just because a Christian happened to get involved in a dispute with a Muslim." more >>

"Not Today," an award-winning movie that tackles human trafficking, is set to open in several major markets across America next month, with a mission to raise awareness about one of the most critical problems the world faces today.

"What we hope is that this will be a catalyst for conversation, if we can get the story out," said Matthew Cork, lead pastor at Friends Church in Yorba Linda, Calif., and executive producer of "Not Today," in an exclusive interview with The Christian Post.

"The people that we really believe that God has called us to work with is the Dalits – 300,000 million of them who have been in this type of slavery for over 3,000 years; and many people in America don't even know who we are." more >>

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has declared invalid the armistice of 1953 with South Korea, ending the truce between the countries, and has cut off the direct phone connecting the two governments.  

"The U.S. has reduced the armistice agreement to a dead paper," declared the Supreme Command of North Korea's army, according to CNN. The isolated Pacific nation is blaming the U.S. and the U.N. for imposing tougher sanctions on the Kim Jong Un-led government after it carried out nuclear tests on February 12, defying international regulations.

North Korea has also cut off the direct phone link it had with its southern neighbor at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom, which served as an emergency line of communication between the two sides. more >>

Hong Kong's Tony Chan Chun-chuen, a famed feng shui master, has renounced the Chinese system of geomancy as devilish, and became a Christian after reading the Bible. As he was baptized this week, he changed his name to Peter Chan.

Chan was baptized by Pastor Lam Yee-lok at the Crossroad Community Baptist Church in Tsing Yi Island in Hong Kong on Tuesday, South China Morning Post reports.

"This is the happiest day in my life. It felt like getting married, and I could tell everyone that I am a Christian," he was quoted as saying during his private baptism, attended by about 70 friends and relatives, including his wife, Tam Miu-ching. more >>

On Thursday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to punish North Korea for its February nuclear test, imposing a fourth round of tougher sanctions on the Asian country.

The sanction vote came hours after the country threatened a preemptive nuclear attack against the U.S.

In a statement released by the Korean Central News Agency, considered to be a mouthpiece for the state, the country argued that the United States "is set to light a fuse for a nuclear war," adding that, in response, North Korea "will exercise the right to a preemptive nuclear attack to destroy the strongholds of the aggressors and to defend the supreme interests of the country." more >>

Institute on Religion and Democracy Director Faith J.H. McDonnell has criticized former controversial NBA star Dennis Rodman for his recent visit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, highlighting that thousands of Christians are currently suffering horrible abuse in the reclusive country.

"From incarcerating Christians and political prisoners in gulags to executing those caught fleeing over the Chinese border; North Korea's despotic rulers have consistently held the title of worst oppressors in the world," McDonnell said in a statement.

Rodman, who said on ABC's Sunday morning interview that Kim Jong-Un is a "good guy" and a "friend," visited North Korea for a basketball exhibition last week. He has been criticized by the general media for his seemingly friendly relations with a leader whose country has openly declared America to be an enemy and where people are denied their human rights. Rodman even suggested that President Barack Obama needs to call Kim so they can avoid war. more >>