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MANHASSET, N.Y. — Leading PC and consumer electronics companies announced they are developing a specification for a next-generation PC digital display interface that is also compatible with high-definition TV signals. Penned the Unified Display Interface (UDI), the standard is expected to replace the aging VGA analog standard and provide guidelines to ensure compatibility with the DVI standard. UDI will be also be compatible with HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), the standard digital interface for High Definition TVs (HDTVs) and advanced CE displays. UDI will be able to use High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) technology widely deployed in HDMI-compatible products today....

Europe's biggest defense company, BAE Systems, agreed to buy U.S. firm United Defense Industries for $3.97 billion in cash Monday, bolstering its land systems business and its foothold in the United States. BAE said it would pay $75 a share for the maker of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, a premium of 29 percent over United Defense's (Research) close of $58.26 on Friday.

BAE Systems to buy UDI for $4.2 bln Largest transatlantic defense deal in recent years By Aude Lagorce, MarketWatch Last Update: 3:35 AM ET March 7, 2005 LONDON (MarketWatch) -- BAE Systems, Europe's largest defense contractor, said Monday it has an agreement to buy United Defense Industries, the Bradley tank maker, for $3.97 billion in cash and $218 million in debt assumption. The deal values Arlington, Va.-based United Defense Industries, Inc., (UDI: news, chart, profile) which also makes artillery systems, naval guns and missile launchers, at $75 a share, setting a 29 percent premium to the UDI close Friday at...