"Microsoft Enlists Top Lawyer to Overturn Merger Block"

Microsoft has hired competition barrister Daniel Beard KC to appeal the UK Competition and Markets Authority's decision to block its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The CMA cited concerns over competition in the cloud gaming market sector. EU regulators are also investigating the acquisition and are expected to make a decision within the next two weeks. Microsoft needs approval from the U.S., U.K., and E.U. regulators to proceed with the deal.