2, 3, 5, 9, 17, _ What is the next number in the sequence?

John bought a new car. He has a habit of eating ice cream from a particular ice cream shop while returning home from office. Whenever, he eats strawberry ice cream, he faces no problem. But whenever, he eats chocolate ice cream, the car starts giving problem. At first, he thinks, it is just a co-incidence but when this awkward incident happens for 3-4 times, he reports this problem to the company.

The mechanic of the company checks but finds no problem at all. The next day, when he stops by to eat chocolate ice cream, the car again starts giving problem.

Can you find the possible reason?

I am a five-letter word under you,
Remove the first letter and I am above you,
Remove the second as well and I am around you.

Who am I?

Women do it once a year after they turn 19 but men get to do it only once in a lifetime. What is it?

The day before yesterday I was 25 and the next year I will be 28. This is true only one day in a year. What day is my birthday?

You have an empty wine bottle with a cork that has been secured at the top in a normal way. There is a metal ring inside the bottle that is suspended by a string.

How can you make the metal ring drop to the bottom if you are not allowed to touch anything - not the bottle, not the cork, not the thread and not the ring?

A crime was committed at baker street. Ibrahim Dakota who was shot in the stomach was the main suspect. Sherlock questioned the suspect. The conversation started as:
Sherlock: What's your story, Ibrahim?
Ibrahim: I was walking around baker street and suddenly a man from the back shot me. I ran as fast as I could to save my life".
Sherlock: That is enough (and ask the police to arrest him).

Why does Sherlock think he is the murderer?

I have lakes with no water, mountains with no stone and cities with no buildings. What am I?

It can't be seen, can't be felt, can't be heard, and can't be smelt.
It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills.
It comes first and follows after, Ends life, and kills laughter.
What is it?

I have branches, but no fruit, trunk or leaves. What am I?