The ruling could also protect news information transmitted via on-line services.

Administration officials said that the ruling vindicated their position and protected the president's ability to seek confidential advice.

"This ruling will protect Americans from a regime that says it's cheaper to kill patients than to treat them," Mr. Vacco said.

She added that the ruling would protect utilities from an unfair advantage given to their new competitors.

Following the most current federal cases, Judge Atlee's ruling protected the rights of the protestors, with certain restrictions.

The ruling protects doctors as well.

Mr. Florio said the ruling protected "one of the cornerstones" of his administration's insurance law.

"This ruling protects religious freedom for every citizen."

He said that Islamic rulings protect freedom of religion and guarantee equal citizenship rights, in a message to Egypt's increasingly nervous Christian minorities.

Given the high status of the two young men, the new ruling recognized their future families and protected their children within the Cherokee Nation.