Germany Cites Deep Rift With U.S. Amid Second Spy Probe

German authorities announced the second investigation into espionage within a week as Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman signaled an escalating rift between the U.S. and Germany over intelligence practices.

The federal prosecutor’s office said it’s investigating a possible espionage case after the Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported that a German working in a military-related area was suspected of spying for the U.S. The chancellery is in contact with U.S. officials, said Steffen Seibert, Merkel’s press secretary.