Germany is ramping up defense spending to levels unseen in decades, hoping a thriving arms industry will boost national security and revive an economy mired in two years of contraction.

Hurricane Erin on Saturday strengthened to a "catastrophic" Category 5 storm as it barrelled towards the Caribbean, with weather officials warning of possible flash floods and landslides.

Hundreds of thousands of Libyans are voting Saturday in the second phase of municipal elections, held under tight security after incidents and irregularities forced delays at several stations.