Our pick of the strange stories from around the world.
Pool party is a real dive
Philadelphia has told residents not to swim in rubbish bins after a rented skip was transformed into a pool for an unauthorised party. Event organisers say they "powerwashed" the interior of the container before lining it with tarpaulins and filling it up from a fire hydrant. "We are not screwing around, Philly," said Karen Guss, a spokeswoman for the Department of Licences and Inspections. "The city strongly recommends that residents opt for recreational options that are safer, more sanitary and less likely to deplete the resources firefighters need in an emergency."
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Church to use drones to drop bibles on Iraq
A Swedish church has announced plans to use drones to drop thousands of bibles on areas of Iraq controlled by Islamic State. Livets Ord (Word of Life) church says it plans to deliver small, electronic bibles "to pass on the hope and love of the Christian gospel" for people living in an area where religious freedom is being repressed.
Hackers use laptops to steal cars
Houston police have arrested two men they say used laptops to reprogramme the ignition systems of more than 100 cars. The suspects are said to have targeted new Jeep and Dodge vehicles, which authorities say fetch a high price on the black market in Mexico. The men are accused of illegally accessing a database used by mechanics and locksmiths to create new key fobs and bypass the security measures.
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Why does Trump keep interfering in the NYC mayoral race?Today's Big Question The president has seemingly taken an outsized interest in his hometown elections, but are his efforts to block Zohran Mamdani about political expediency or something deeper?
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The pros and cons of banning cellphones in classroomsPros and cons The devices could be major distractions
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Art review: Lorna Simpson: Source NotesFeature Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, through Nov. 2
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China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
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How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
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The Swedish church at the centre of a Russian spy dramaUnder The Radar The Russian Orthodox Church is accused of being an 'active tool' of Moscow's 'soft power'
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One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
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What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
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Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
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Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
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'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weaponsThe Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
