AT&T (NYSE:T) has reportedly been thwarted in a €70B bid to acquire Telefonica (NYSE:TEF) by Spain's government, which has the power to stop the sale of any company that is deemed strategic. The U.S. carrier told state representatives that it would take on the Spanish operator's €52B of debt as part of any transaction. Telefonica said it hasn't "received any approach or...indication of interest," from AT&T.