Chase Minnema, a transgender man from Virginia, gave birth to his biological son after stopping hormone therapy. He and his partner, James Brewer, are raising their healthy baby and sharing their experience as transgender parents.
Key Facts
Chase Minnema began questioning his gender identity as a teenager and later identified as a man.
He started hormone therapy in 2016 and had surgery related to his transition.
Testosterone therapy does not fully prevent pregnancy if the person still has a uterus and ovaries.
Minnema stopped hormone therapy before becoming pregnant and remained off it during pregnancy.
He gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and both he and his partner describe parenting as a positive experience.
The couple has faced both support and criticism from the public about their parenting and identities.
Research shows transgender parents’ well-being is similar to that of cisgender parents.
Challenges for transgender parents often come from social stigma, not from their ability to care for their children.
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German police arrested a suspect after a fire destroyed the Eagle’s Nest, Adolf Hitler’s mountain retreat in Bavaria. Around 200 firefighters worked overnight to control the fire, and no injuries were reported. Investigators are looking into whether the detained person is linked to the blaze.
Key Facts
The fire broke out at the Eagle’s Nest, also called Kehlsteinhaus, in southern Germany.
About 200 firefighters responded to the emergency late on Friday night.
No one was hurt in the fire, but the building was fully engulfed in flames.
The site is located over 1,800 meters (6,000 feet) high in the Alps, making firefighting difficult.
Police suspect the fire may have been started on purpose (arson).
A motorcyclist seen near the fire scene was detained for questioning.
The Eagle’s Nest was built in 1937-1938 as a Nazi symbol and visited by Hitler.
Since 1952, the building has served as a restaurant and a museum about its Nazi history.
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Scientists studied the Barnes Ice Cap, the last part of a large ice sheet in Canada, and found it began growing again about 2,000 years ago after shrinking. This ice growth continued until around 1960, when human-caused warming started to melt the ice again.
Key Facts
The Barnes Ice Cap is a small part of the Laurentide Ice Sheet that once covered much of Canada.
The Laurentide Ice Sheet was about two miles thick at its peak.
It shrank to its smallest size about 3,600 years ago.
Around 2,000 years ago, the ice sheet began to grow again, signaling the start of a new ice age.
This ice growth continued until about 1960.
The ice is "cold-based," meaning it is frozen to the ground and preserves plants and rocks beneath it.
Scientists used two methods to date ice changes: measuring beryllium-10 on rocks and radiocarbon dating dead plants trapped in the ice.
The recent ice growth included a big pulse around 1800 CE, linked to the Little Ice Age, a cooler period in recent history.
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A new documentary called *You Can See Everything* follows Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, as she prepares to go to federal prison for fraud. The film shows how Holmes continues to insist on her story despite evidence, highlighting how she controls appearances and influences how people see her actions.
Key Facts
Elizabeth Holmes founded Theranos, a blood-testing company later found to have lied about its technology.
She was convicted of fraud and is about to start a federal prison sentence.
The documentary shows Holmes maintaining that her technology "can" work in the future, not now.
Filmmaker Nathan Fielder, known for blending comedy and reality, captures Holmes’s contradictions and performances.
Holmes claims she never lied, even after conviction.
The film also shows Holmes’s partner, Billy Evans, who supports her openness to the cameras.
The documentary explores themes relevant to American politics, like controlling truth and audience loyalty.
Scenes include everyday moments that reveal how Holmes’s life is controlled like a public relations performance.
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Heidi Paster discovered detailed information about her grandfather's murder while researching their family history online. She found criminal files, mug shots, and newspaper articles revealing that her grandfather was killed in a gang-related shooting when her father was a teenager, something her family had never fully discussed.
Key Facts
Heidi Paster searched online for her grandfather’s wedding date and found his criminal history and FBI files.
Her grandfather’s fingerprints and mug shots from 1933 were part of public records.
Newspaper clippings described her grandfather’s death as a gangland shooting in St. Paul.
Her father was nearly 17 and witnessed the murder but rarely spoke about it.
The family received death threats and social stigma after the murder due to media coverage.
Family members described the grandfather as a charming but complex person who was well-liked.
The murder had a lasting emotional impact on Paster’s father, who kept the trauma private.
Heidi’s discovery led her to connect with relatives and seek the truth about her grandfather.
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A man in northern France shot and killed one person and injured five others in a racially motivated attack, targeting immigrant and Muslim communities near Paris. The suspect was arrested, and French authorities are treating the incident as a terrorist crime linked to racism and possibly Islamophobia.
Key Facts
The shooting took place in the towns of Trappes and La Verriere, near Paris, around 10:30 am on Friday.
The gunman used an automatic weapon to fire at a gas station, medical center, and children’s playground.
One person, Pengo Bassio Wangi, was killed; among the five injured was a 12-year-old girl shot eight times.
The suspect, a 39-year-old named Kevin T, said he wanted to “kill foreigners.”
Police found an old-style semi-automatic weapon and tear gas grenades in the suspect’s car.
Investigators are looking into whether the gunman worked with any terrorist groups.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the attack a “racist terrorist attack” and promised to fight racism.
The attack happened during a period of ongoing violent protests in France related to cost-of-living issues.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a military operation in the West Bank after Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers. Israel imposed large-scale closures and displaced residents in the area around Hebron to contain the situation.
Key Facts
Two Israeli soldiers were killed in attacks by Palestinian gunmen in the West Bank.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the attack site near Hebron.
Netanyahu instructed security forces to immediately lock down the city of Hebron.
Israel imposed widespread closures across the occupied West Bank following the attacks.
Some residents in the area were displaced due to the security operations.
These actions come amid ongoing tensions between Israeli forces and Palestinians in the region.
The situation reflects continuing conflict in the Middle East involving Israel and Palestinian territories.
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Typhoon Champi hit Taiwan with strong winds and heavy rain, causing power outages for about 56,000 homes. The typhoon is now moving toward China and Japan.
Key Facts
Typhoon Champi struck Taiwan with winds up to 180 kilometers per hour.
The storm brought heavy rain across the island.
About 56,000 households in Taiwan lost electricity due to the typhoon.
After hitting Taiwan, the typhoon is heading toward China and Japan.
The event caused disruptions and damage but no specific casualties were reported in this article.
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French students have promised to continue protesting despite concerns about violence during demonstrations. The protests come amid ongoing social and political challenges in France, including recent clashes and unrest.
Key Facts
Students in France have committed to keeping up their protests.
There are worries about violence connected to the demonstrations.
People of all ages in France are debating whether to join the protests given the risks.
Recent protests have involved clashes and some looting.
French authorities have responded by banning certain student protests.
The protests reflect deeper social and economic problems in France.
President Emmanuel Macron has met with student union representatives during this period.
There was a recent shooting in a suburb of Paris causing casualties amid rising tensions.
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France’s far-right National Rally party is holding its yearly meeting in Orléans to start Marine Le Pen’s presidential campaign and re-elect Jordan Bardella as leader. At the same time, thousands of people are protesting against racism, fascism, and imperialism, with local police preparing for possible clashes.
Key Facts
The National Rally is a far-right political party in France.
Their annual congress is taking place in Orléans, south of Paris.
Marine Le Pen is officially launching her presidential campaign at this event.
Jordan Bardella is expected to be re-elected as party leader.
Thousands are attending the National Rally meeting.
A large counter-protest is organized against racism, fascism, and imperialism.
Local officials are preparing for potential conflicts between demonstrators and protesters.
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Paris police changed the route for a trade union protest at the last minute on October 24, 2026. Many protesters went to the old starting point and were confused because the march now starts somewhere else.
Key Facts
The protest route was changed just before the event by Paris police.
The new march route is from Place d’Italie to Porte de Vincennes.
Originally, the march was supposed to start at Place de la Bastille.
Many protesters arrived at Place de la Bastille and did not know about the change.
The protest was organized by trade unions.
The event is part of ongoing demonstrations in France.
France 24 journalist Elitsa Gadeva reported from the scene.
The changes caused confusion among some participants.
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Ukraine’s defense ministry announced that speed limits on the Starlink satellite system, used by its military, have been fully lifted after two weeks. The restrictions had hurt Ukraine’s ability to use drones for defense and supply missions. The issue caused tensions between the Ukrainian government, President Donald Trump, and Elon Musk.
Key Facts
The Ukrainian military uses SpaceX’s Starlink system to control reconnaissance and interceptor drones.
Speed restrictions on Starlink limited Ukraine’s drone operations for about two weeks.
The Ukrainian ministry of defense confirmed that Starlink speeds are now fully restored.
The restrictions affected Ukraine’s ability to stop Russian attack drones and supply troops.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believed the restrictions were a form of retaliation linked to his refusal to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries.
President Donald Trump denied White House involvement in the restrictions and said he would talk to Elon Musk if the limits continued.
Ukraine uses two satellite systems: Starlink for communication and defense drones, and Starshield (US-controlled) for offensive operations.
The Ukrainian ministry said the restoration came after high-level talks led by Zelensky.
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France is preparing for new large protests across the country against poor school conditions and rising living costs. Authorities will deploy over 70,000 police officers and have banned many demonstrations in city centers to avoid violence seen in recent protests.
Key Facts
More than 70,000 police officers and gendarmes will be deployed during Saturday’s protests in France.
Last weekend’s protests included looting, vandalism, and clashes, with over 2,000 arrests.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez increased police presence by 20% compared to previous protests.
The elite police unit RAID will support operations but not directly manage crowds.
Many city centers, including Montpellier, Rouen, Nice, Lyon, and parts of Paris and Marseille, have banned protests or restricted routes.
Businesses and cultural sites like the Louvre closed or boarded up for safety.
President Emmanuel Macron met student representatives and promised more teachers and changes to the university admission system.
The protests started over school issues but now also cover cost of living and wider social concerns ahead of France’s presidential election.
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Catherine Breed, a 33-year-old swimmer from the San Francisco Bay Area, became the first person to swim the entire coastline of California, completing the journey in 111 days. She faced challenges such as sharks, storms, big waves, and unusual Pacific Ocean weather, but finished her swim at a beach in San Diego.
Key Facts
Catherine Breed swam from the northern tip of California to the border with Mexico.
The swim took her about 111 days to complete.
She was supported by a team on a sailboat named Catalyst.
The swim faced difficult conditions like 6-8 foot waves, sharks, hurricanes, and unusual El Niño weather.
Breed swam 4 to 5 hours daily during the journey.
She used mental strategies to stay focused and manage energy while swimming.
Dolphins often accompanied her during the swim, and she could hear them despite wearing earplugs.
Breed has done other long swimming swims, including a shorter swim down the California coast in 2022.
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Ukraine’s defence minister said the connection to the Starlink and Starshield satellite internet systems is now stable again after being disrupted for over a week. These systems are important for the Ukrainian military to communicate and defend against attacks.
Key Facts
Starlink and Starshield satellite systems are made by SpaceX.
Ukraine experienced slower connection speeds and disruptions starting around October 14, weakening its military operations.
The connection speed has returned to over 400 kilometers per hour, considered normal by Ukraine’s defence ministry.
The Ukrainian military uses these systems to stop Russian attack drones and maintain frontline communication.
Neither SpaceX CEO Elon Musk nor the US government has admitted controlling the service slowdowns.
Reports suggest the order to reduce Starshield service came from inside the White House.
President Donald Trump said he would fix the Starlink access issues if they continue.
The disruptions occurred after President Trump announced a deal to buy Russian diesel and waived some sanctions on Russia.
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A 36-year-old British woman died in the Bahamas after trying to save her two sons who were caught by a strong current while snorkeling. The children were rescued, but the woman was swept away and later died despite resuscitation efforts.
Key Facts
The woman was snorkeling with her husband and two sons near Bimini island in the Bahamas.
A strong current swept both children away from the shore.
The woman attempted to rescue her sons and was also swept away.
The children were rescued from the water.
The woman was taken to a local clinic but was pronounced dead.
Police do not suspect foul play and are investigating the death.
An autopsy will be done to find the exact cause of death.
The British Foreign Office is in contact with local authorities and supporting the family.
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A multi-storey building under construction collapsed in Nairobi, Kenya, leaving seven people missing and trapped under the rubble. Rescue teams are searching for survivors while officials examine the cause and whether construction rules were followed.
Key Facts
The building, estimated to have 16 to 18 floors, collapsed on Friday afternoon in Nairobi's Eastleigh area.
Seven people are missing and feared trapped, mostly in shops on the bottom floors that had already opened.
66 of 67 construction workers escaped unharmed; one worker was slightly injured.
Rescue efforts have paused use of heavy digging machines to avoid cutting off air to trapped people.
Officials are investigating if the building met safety and planning regulations.
Nairobi’s governor said the owners lacked the necessary paperwork to occupy the building.
Building collapses in Nairobi often happen due to poor construction or weak regulation enforcement.
Kenya’s National Construction Authority has identified the developer, architect, and engineer involved.
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A 36-year-old British woman died in the Bahamas while trying to save her two sons, who were caught in a strong ocean current during a snorkelling trip near Bimini island. The boys were rescued, but the woman was swept away and later pronounced dead at a local clinic.
Key Facts
The incident happened near the southern point of Bimini island in the Bahamas.
The woman was snorkelling with her husband and two sons when a strong current swept the children away.
She tried to rescue her sons but was also carried away by the current.
The children were rescued from the water.
The woman was taken to a local clinic where she was declared dead despite CPR efforts.
The Royal Bahamas police force is investigating the case and does not suspect foul play.
An autopsy will be done to find the exact cause of death.
The UK Foreign Office is in contact with the woman’s family and offering support.
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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his rival Flavio Bolsonaro debated their plans just before the final round of the presidential election. They discussed issues like the economy and public spending, while also exchanging personal criticisms.
Key Facts
Lula and Bolsonaro debated two days before Brazil’s presidential run-off election.
The debate focused on topics such as Brazil’s economy, infrastructure, and regional development.
Bolsonaro plans to cut public spending drastically, similar to Argentina’s president Javier Milei.
Lula accused Bolsonaro of allowing crime to grow and not addressing the rising cost of living.
Bolsonaro called Lula by a nickname "Nine Fingers," referencing an old accident, and later apologized.
Lula called Bolsonaro a vigilante due to alleged ties to paramilitary groups.
Bolsonaro defended a policeman he once represented who was involved in a fatal shootout.
Polls show both candidates tied at about 50% support just before the election.
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Three people arrested in connection with a fatal house fire in Waterford, Ireland, have been released without charges. Four family members died in the fire, and one suspect remains in custody.
Key Facts
Four family members, Philip and Kim English and their two children, died in a house fire in Waterford, Ireland.
The fire happened earlier this month on Birch Avenue, on the outskirts of Waterford.
A man in his 20s and a woman in her 30s were previously charged related to the fire.
Three people, two women in their 30s and a man in his 50s, were arrested on Tuesday and released without charges on Saturday.
A man in his 20s, arrested on Thursday, is still in custody.
The Irish police (gardaí) are handling the investigation.
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