Germany probes Merkel phone tap allegations

Germany’s chief federal prosecutor says he has opened an investigation into the alleged monitoring of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s mobile phone by the US National Security Agency.

Prosecutor Harald Range has been mulling for months whether to open a formal probe of the Merkel allegations, which cooled relations between Berlin and Washington.

Mr Range’s office said he has decided to proceed with an investigation into persons unknown regarding Chancellor Merkel’s phone, a move that is potentially delicate diplomatically.