Afghan Militants Hang 8-Year-Old

After his father refused to meet demands to provide them with a police vehicle, Afghan militants hanged an 8-year-old boy Sunday. Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the hanging in a statement Sunday. "This action is not permitted in any culture or any religions," he said, demanding that local authorities hunt down the militants and arrest them. The action comes amid much strife between the Taliban and their opposition, following the assassination of Ahmed Wali Karzai, the president's half-brother, last week. The country's formal handover of security to Afghan forces also took place Sunday, with ceremonies in Kabul and Panjshir province, the fifth and sixth areas to be transferred out of foreign control.