Whitney Houston has entered rehab for drug and alcohol treatment again.
The singer's spokesperson confirmed the news yesterday (May 9), explaining that she was on an out-patient programme as part of a voluntary measure, reports Billboard. They said the measure was part of Houston's "long-standing" recovery process but did not reveal where she was being treated. She's believed to have enrolled on the programme around ten days ago.
The programme allows Houston to go out and about in public as long as she has a monitor with her. TMZ.COM is quoting a source as saying: "She's cleansing herself to get ready for a new movie."
Houston has been back on the live circuit since 2010 and declared herself clean in 2009 following a period of troubles with drugs including marijuana and crack cocaine. She had previously entered rehab in 2004 and 2005.
The deal gives Microsoft access to the market for real-time video and voice communications. The software maker said it plans to use Skype to support such products as the Xbox gaming system and Windows Phone.
Buying Skype would give Microsoft a potentially valuable communications tool as it tries to make a bigger splash on the Internet and become a bigger force in the increasingly important smartphone market.
The sellers include eBay and private equity firms Silver Lake and Andreessen Horowitz.
Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said: "Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world."
Skype will become a new business unit within Microsoft, to be run by current Skype CEO Tony Bates, who will report directly to Ballmer.
Skype filed for a $100 million IPO last year. But the actual offering was delayed, and rumors surfaced last week that the company was in talks with Microsoft and Facebook.
Skype was founded in 2003.
Skype boasts about 663 million users worldwide. According to regulatory documents, Skype users made 207 billion minutes of voice and video calls last year.
Calls to other Skype users are free, while the company charges for those made to both traditional landline phones and mobiles.
Most people use Skype's free calling services, which has made it difficult for the service to make money.
