What is the ruling on staring at the Holy Ka'abah?
All perfecy praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds and may His Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.
Staring/looking at the Holy Ka'abah is an act of worship even if this took place while performing a prayer, since Al-Baihaqee stated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: " Staring at the Holy Ka'abah is an act of devotion." [Sho'aab Al-Imaan]. And Allah Knows Best.
Is it permissible to repeat the Istikhara (seeking guidance) prayer, and is it a condition that one should sleep after offering it?
All perfect praise be to Allah,The Lord of The Worlds Istikhara is offered once, but it is permissible to repeat it, and sleeping after offering it is not a condition for its validity. And Allah Knows Best.
Is it true that if a ritually impure, or a menstruating woman visits one who is in confinement, harm will be inflicted on the latter, or her baby?
This is completely wrong and unfounded piece of information.
Is speaking to a person from the opposite sex forbidden or not?
All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Talking to a person from the opposite sex is forbidden in Islam because it entails a great deal of evil, which could lead to a graver sin. Moreover, Islam forbids having a friend from the opposite sex. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.