Multiple sources on the internet report that Microsoft is close to buy Internet Communications company Skype for about 7 billion USD. Together with the debts Skype currently has, the deal would be worth around 8 billion $:

Wall Street Journal
Neowin

It would be exciting to see how Microsoft would integrate the service with it's existing products like Windows Phone, Windows Live, Xbox 360 and Lync Server/Client. Audio/Video/Im Federation to Skype, anyone?

For the moment the deal is not yet final and still can be pulled back.

Edit: the deal is said to be confirmed.