Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who has struggled with depression, alcoholism and addiction for much of his life, said yesterday that he has checked into a medical facility for treatment.

The Rhode Island Democrat, who sought treatment three years ago after an early-morning car crash near the Capitol, said in a statement that his recovery is a "lifelong process" and that he will do whatever it takes to preserve his health: "I have decided to temporarily step away from my normal routine to ensure that I am being as vigilant as possible in my recovery," said Kennedy, the son of Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.).

Kennedy, who has wrestled with alcoholism, bipolar disorder and an addiction to prescription drugs, did not say exactly what he was being treated for, and did not disclose the facility's location.

Lourdes, Rocco and David are getting a sister: Madonna can adopt 3-year-old Chifundo "Mercy" James, a Malawian orphan, the Malawi Supreme Court ruled yesterday.

The decision overruled an April decision by a lower court, which said officials were bending the country's adoption rules for Madonna because of her fame. But Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo, reading the three-judge appeal court panel's ruling yesterday, said that was a narrow interpretation based on old laws, and that "in this global village a man can have more than one place at which he resides."

Munlo also said Madonna's commitment to helping disadvantaged children should have been taken into account in the decision. The singer, 50, has founded a charity, Raising Malawi, which helps feed, educate and provide medical care for some of Malawi's more than 1 million orphans, half of whom have lost a parent to AIDS.

Mercy's uncle Peter Baneti said the family welcomed Friday's ruling: "We hope Mercy will be joining Madonna soon," he told the Associated Press. In a statement, Madonna said she was ecstatic and that her family -- a daughter and two sons, including David, who was adopted from Malawi in 2006 -- looks "forward to sharing our lives with her."

Among the celebrities at Game 4 of the NBA Finals were Rihanna and former boyfriend Chris Brown -- just not together.

The singers sat on opposite ends of the same row Thursday night, just underneath one of the baskets at Amway Arena in Orlando. They retreated to separate private lounges during halftime, People magazine reports; it is unclear whether they had planned to attend together, or if they spoke to each other while at the arena.

Brown is accused of beating then-girlfriend Rihanna after a pre- Grammy party in February in Los Angeles. At a preliminary hearing, scheduled for June 22, a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence to continue the case. Rihanna could be called as a witness during that hearing, AP reports.

"[I'm] bummed that I did not get to attend the after parties, cuz rumor has it Anne Hathaway was going to be there and she is hot."

-- Bret Michaels of '80s hair/metal band Poison, lamenting the consequences of a broken nose and busted lip he received onstage at Sunday's Tony Awards. In a statement released Thursday, Michaels thanked many people for their help after he was hurt -- including Liza Minnelli (for checking on him) and the "Good Lord" (for giving him "a thick skull").