live Middle East conflict: Key developments on Wednesday as U.S. submarine sinks Iranian warship
A torpedo from a U.S. submarine sunk an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth told reporters as ...
Menlo Park, CA, February 19, 2025 – Instagram has introduced a suite of new features for its direct messaging system, aiming to improve user engagement and better compete with rival platforms such as Apple iMessage and various third-party messaging apps.
Among the new updates is the ability for users to share music within one-on-one conversations and group chats. By tapping the “Music” sticker in the chat’s sticker tray, users can search Instagram’s audio library and share clips up to 30 seconds long, provided the song is available on the platform.
In addition to music sharing, Instagram has implemented a translation tool within direct messages. Users can now hold down a message and select “Translate” to view the message in one of 99 supported languages. The translated text appears directly below the original, streamlining communication across language barriers.
Other improvements include the option to pin messages, images, or even Reels to the top of a chat. Users can pin up to three items per conversation by holding down the desired message and tapping “Pin.” This feature is designed to help users keep frequently referenced content easily accessible.
Instagram has also introduced message scheduling, allowing users to plan messages up to 29 days in advance by long-pressing the send button. Additionally, a new QR code feature enables users to invite others to group chats, simplifying the process of connecting new members.

The update is rolling out today to iOS and Android users worldwide, while a web version is in development and will be available soon.
These new direct messaging tools add to Instagram’s recent flurry of feature enhancements, which include testing a dislike button for comments, expanding the maximum length of Reels to three minutes, and developing a dedicated video-editing app. With these updates, Instagram continues to refine its platform to meet the evolving needs of its diverse user base.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. military has enough stockpiled weapons to fight wars "forever"; in a social media post late on Monday. The remarks came hours before conflict in Iran and the Middle East entered its fourth day.
U.S. first lady, Melania Trump chaired a UN Security Council meeting on children and education in conflict on Monday (2 March), a move criticised by Iran as hypocritical following U.S. and Israeli strikes that triggered a UN warning about risks to children.
A torpedo from a U.S. submarine sunk an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth told reporters as the Iranian conflcit entered its fifth day on Wednesday.
The U.S. embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones resulting in a limited fire and some material damage, the kingdom's defence ministry said in a post on X on Tuesday, citing an initial assessment.
Shahid Motahari Sub-Speciality Hospital in northern Tehran and parts of the Golestan Palace were bombed on day two of the U.S.‑Israel strikes. AnewZ Touraj Shiralilou is in Iran's capital city and said that the facility was flattened in an airstrike.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the United States is making gains in its conflict with Iran after a key Iranian naval target was destroyed, confirming that the strike was carried out by a U.S. submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka. Rescue efforts are now under way for the ship’s crew.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 4th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Strikes across the Middle East are intensifying, fuelling travel disruption, driving up global energy prices and forcing diplomatic missions to shut their doors.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said the United States has a “virtually unlimited supply” of munitions and is capable of sustaining military action indefinitely, as the conflict with Iran entered its fourth day.
The United Nations has called for an investigation into a deadly attack on a girls’ primary school in Iran, which Iranian officials say has killed more than 100 children. The U.S. has said its forces “would not” deliberately target a school.
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