Prayer: The Supreme Court ruled today that the town of Greece, NY can open its public meetings with a prayer led by a “chaplain of the month.” Writing for the 5-4 majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy said, “ceremonial prayer is but a recognition that, since this nation was founded and until the present day, many Americans deem that their own existence must be understood by precepts far beyond that authority of government to alter or define.”

The decision is a big opening for prayer at government functions.

The case was brought by two citizens who complained that the prayers before government meetings in the town outside Rochester were religiously sectarian.

World:With crippling polio spreading in several war zones, The World Health Organization declared an international health emergency today. The disease that strikes mostly children under six is spreading in Pakistan, Syria, and Cameroon. The WHO’s statement said, “If unchecked, this situation could result in failure to eradicate globally one of the world’s most serious vaccine-preventable diseases.”

>The leader of Nigeria’s Boko Haram rebel group says he plans to sell 223 girls kidnapped from a boarding school. Leader Abubakar Shekau said on videotape that “I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah.” The country’s President Goodluck Jonathan has vowed to get the girls back.

>Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams was released after four days of questioning in the 1972 murder of an Irish widow. Adams said his arrest by Irish police had been the result of a “sustained, malicious, untruthful campaign” accusing him of ordering the killing of Jean McConville, a 37-year-old widow and mother of 10. McConville was killed as a suspected spy for the British. Two former Irish Republican Army operatives had said on a tape recording made by researchers at Boston College that Adams ordered the execution of McConville.

National: Nine aerial acrobats fell yesterday when their suspension rig suddenly collapsed during a circus performance in Providence, RI. Eight women hanging by their hair forming “a human chandelier” fell and landed on a ninth who was on the ground. The Medeiros Troupe are described by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as “hairialists” who perform a combination of stunts all while hanging by their hair. Two of the nine performers are reported in critical condition today. The show goes on tonight without aerial acts.

Equal Rights: The first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church has announced he is divorcing his husband and partner of 25 years. Retired Bishop Gene Robinson said in a published essay, “like any marriage, gay and lesbian couples are subject to the same complications and hardships that afflict marriages between heterosexual couples.” He was married only in 2010. Robinson’s election as a Bishop caused a rift in his church. Conservative members broke off and formed the Anglican Church of North America.

Bullseye: The CEO of Target stores resigned today, a casualty of last year’s Christmas season data breach. The payment information of 40 million customers was stolen, and the personal information on 70 million more also was taken. CEO Gregg Steinhafel took the fall after 35 years with Target.

Lip Reading: Former President George HW Bush yesterday was given the 2014 Profile In Courage Award for breaking his famous campaign promise, “Read my lips: No new taxes.” The award is given by the John F. Kennedy Foundation. Facing a $200 billion deficit, Bush 41 agreed to new taxes. His decision contributed to his re-election defeat by Bill Clinton.

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