News Summary: Brooks, Coulson face bribery charges

The Associated Press

THE CHARGES: Two former confidants of Britain's prime minister, former tabloid editors Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks, have been charged with conspiring to pay public officials in exchange for stories and information

BACKGROUND: It's the latest development in the country's establishment-shaking scandal over media malfeasance. The charges stem from the phone hacking scandal that erupted last year at Murdoch's News of the World tabloid, which Brooks and Coulson used to edit.

CONNECTIONS: Brooks was a neighbor, close friend, and political ally of Prime Minister David Cameron. Coulson until last year served as Cameron's top press aide.