Melissa Fleur Afshar

Life and Trends Reporter

Melissa Fleur Afshar is a Newsweek Life and Trends Reporter based in London, United Kingdom.

Her current focus is on trending stories and human-interest features on a variety of topics ranging from relationships, pets, and personal finances to health, work, travel, and family dynamics. She has covered current affairs, social issues, and lifestyle stories extensively.

Melissa joined Newsweek in 2023 from Global's LBC and had previously worked at financial news publication WatersTechnology, tmrw Magazine, The Times and The Sunday Times, Greater London-based radio broadcaster Insanity Radio, and alongside other journalists or producers for research purposes. Since joining Newsweek, Melissa has been especially focused on covering under-reported women's health and social issues, and has spent a large part of her time researching the physical and mental impact of both the contraceptive pill and abusive relationships.

Prior to that, Melissa had been specialized in reporting on financial technology and data news, political news, and current affairs. She has covered data management news from industry giants like Bloomberg and Symphony, alongside the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the U.K economy's 2022-pound sterling crash, multiple National Health Service (NHS) strikes, and the Mahsa Amini protests in Iran.

A show that she produced and presented at the Greater London-based community radio station, Insanity Radio, was awarded 'Best Topical News Show' and the runner up award for 'Best New Radio Show' on the network.

She is a graduate in MA History from Royal Holloway, University of London.

Languages: English, Persian.

You can get in touch with Melissa by emailing m.afshar@newsweek.com.

You can follow her on X or Instagram at @melissafleura.

Realtor's 1920s listing goes viral for unexpected "smart" features

Home & Garden
Realtor's 1920s listing goes viral for unexpected "smart" featuresThe property has stunned millions with its unique period features that offer a surprising degree of efficiency.

On 5/4/24 at 8:00 AM EDT

Tears as woman finds grandpa's baby box after he passes: "Someone's baby"

Family & Parenting
Tears as woman finds grandpa's baby box after he passes: "Someone's baby"A clinical pediatric psychologist told Newsweek: "Grief is not an Olympic sport; it is an individual experience."

On 5/3/24 at 12:57 PM EDT

Owner's response to being told his dog isn't a baby cheered—"Can't argue"

Pets
Owner's response to being told his dog isn't a baby cheered—"Can't argue"One TikTok user commented: "No one will understand the love that they bring us."

On 5/3/24 at 12:02 PM EDT

Labrador puppy's hilarious morning routine goes viral-'booked and busy'

Pets
Labrador puppy's hilarious morning routine goes viral-'booked and busy'Dog owners have been quick to share how much they relate to the meticulous routine.

On 5/3/24 at 11:27 AM EDT

Hearts melt as male cats go into "mom mode" when their baby sister wakes up

Pets
Hearts melt as male cats go into "mom mode" when their baby sister wakes upThe two boys immediately start showering their little sibling with love and affection.

On 5/3/24 at 8:35 AM EDT

Mother-in-law refusing bride's one wedding request cheered: "A strong no"

Family & Parenting
Mother-in-law refusing bride's one wedding request cheered: "A strong no"A woman has been backed after sharing why she's refused to fulfill her future daughter-in-law's one wedding-day request.

On 5/2/24 at 12:20 PM EDT

Sympathy for server asked to split check for table of 40: "wanted to cry"

Food & Drink
Sympathy for server asked to split check for table of 40: "wanted to cry"The self-described "veteran" server shared an insight into the more frustrating parts of her job on TikTok—and was met with a flurry of supportive comments.

On 5/2/24 at 11:39 AM EDT

Professional Disney princesses reveal their secrets to posing for photos

On the Internet
Professional Disney princesses reveal their secrets to posing for photosThe two women dished out their tips and tricks on how you can embody the movie's characters while in costume.

On 5/2/24 at 4:37 AM EDT

Owner's viral recreation of parenting ritual with cats delights viewers

Pets
Owner's viral recreation of parenting ritual with cats delights viewersThe video has inspired other cat owners: "I literally just ran to my kitten to do this," one user commented.

On 5/1/24 at 12:40 PM EDT

Hearts melt over owner's "precious" morning routine with 2lb poodle

Pets
Hearts melt over owner's "precious" morning routine with 2lb poodleThe video showed Miette the poodle doing everything other than waking up and letting her owner start the day.

On 5/1/24 at 11:23 AM EDT

Woman convinced she's thought of greatest wedding gift idea ever: "Smart"

Relationships
Woman convinced she's thought of greatest wedding gift idea ever: "Smart""My parents had a fireproof safe," the woman said. "It held our birth certificates... all the important things."

On 5/1/24 at 10:27 AM EDT

Woman gets $4k quote for wedding flowers, so takes matters into own hands

Home & Garden
Woman gets $4k quote for wedding flowers, so takes matters into own handsThe bride-to-be's DIY approach encourages a more hands-on and personalized take on a celebration often ruled by high costs.

On 4/30/24 at 12:06 PM EDT

Livestock dog takes his duties a little too seriously when in 'guard mode'

Pets
Livestock dog takes his duties a little too seriously when in 'guard mode'The dog's owner told Newsweek: "He has such a good heart and the cutest squishy face."

On 4/30/24 at 11:34 AM EDT

Owner realizes tragic reason dog was unusually clingy: "Little did I know"

Pets
Owner realizes tragic reason dog was unusually clingy: "Little did I know""It's the most painful thing," the dog's owner told Newsweek when she realized why his behavior had changed.

On 4/30/24 at 11:32 AM EDT

Gen Z woman issues warning against using phone in car at red light

On the Internet
Gen Z woman issues warning against using phone in car at red lightThe 24-year-old from Ontario, Canada, told Newsweek that her license has since been suspended on April 17.

On 4/30/24 at 4:52 AM EDT

Dog's face at being taken camping in the rain says it all: "depressed"

Pets
Dog's face at being taken camping in the rain says it all: "depressed"The footage captured the dog looking out of the rain-splattered window with a forlorn gaze.

On 4/29/24 at 12:56 PM EDT

Woman's elaborate surprise for mom goes viral

On the Internet
Woman's elaborate surprise for mom goes viralThe event planner and stylist's birthday tribute to her mother has tugged at heartstrings on social media.

On 4/29/24 at 12:50 PM EDT

Shelter shares video of dog who didn't make it as a wake-up call—"so angry"

Pets
Shelter shares video of dog who didn't make it as a wake-up call—"so angry"The shelter founder told Newsweek "people are getting into breeding as they think they are going to make lots of money."

On 4/29/24 at 11:45 AM EDT

How owner wakes up deaf cat to let her know she's home has people in tears

Pets
How owner wakes up deaf cat to let her know she's home has people in tears"Kitty is deaf, so I use my finger near her nose, so she smells my scent is back home and near," the owner said.

On 4/28/24 at 12:00 PM EDT

Man does DNA test, not prepared for what comes back 'unusually high'

Science
Man does DNA test, not prepared for what comes back 'unusually high'The designer's genetic profile showed an astonishing amount of Neanderthal DNA, which has captured the attention of millions online—and a scientist.

On 4/27/24 at 7:00 AM EDT

Dog owner looks out at Labrador in her yard, but there's just one problem

Pets
Dog owner looks out at Labrador in her yard, but there's just one problemThe Labrador loves to sneak into her neighbor's yard. Unfortunately for her, her neighbor caught her in the act.

On 4/26/24 at 1:09 PM EDT

German shepherd and golden retriever puppy's first meeting caught on camera

Pets
German shepherd and golden retriever puppy's first meeting caught on cameraThe viral footage captured the budding relationship between the German shepherd and his owner's new puppy.

On 4/26/24 at 12:25 PM EDT

Hearts melt as grandma of student midwife knits outfits for newborns

Family & Parenting
Hearts melt as grandma of student midwife knits outfits for newbornsA grandma has been knitting cardigans and hats for the babies her granddaughter cares for on a seemingly nonstop basis.

On 4/26/24 at 10:33 AM EDT

78-year-old man's 'symbolic' birthday surprise for wife melts hearts

Relationships
78-year-old man's 'symbolic' birthday surprise for wife melts heartsThe elderly man surprised his wife with a Japanese cherry blossom tree, as a symbol for their enduring love.

On 4/25/24 at 1:47 PM EDT

How to overcome public speaking nerves, according to a TV anchor

Life
How to overcome public speaking nerves, according to a TV anchorMona Kosar Abdi, currently a senior correspondent at Extra TV, shared her top presentation hacks with Newsweek.

On 4/25/24 at 12:49 PM EDT

Gen Z woman shares dishes she makes as "private chef" for delighted parents

Food & Drink
Gen Z woman shares dishes she makes as "private chef" for delighted parentsAt 24, Claudia Harrington has gone from home chef to viral sensation after sharing the meals she cooks for her parents while living at home.

On 4/25/24 at 12:30 PM EDT

Couple rejects wedding cake tradition, opts for unconventional alternative

Relationships
Couple rejects wedding cake tradition, opts for unconventional alternativeThe couple tucked into a large tub of chocolate ice cream from their favorite creamery in celebration of their union.

On 4/25/24 at 12:18 PM EDT

Internet shocked at sibling's "revenge" on brother for ruining wedding

Family & Parenting
Internet shocked at sibling's "revenge" on brother for ruining weddingThe Redditor had announced that they're expecting their first child to steal the spotlight on their brother's big day.

On 4/24/24 at 12:32 PM EDT

Chihuahua puppy on long flight gives the "emotional support we all needed"

Pets
Chihuahua puppy on long flight gives the "emotional support we all needed"The footage captures Kiwi the Chihuahua puppy peering curiously over her owner's seat as passengers disembarked the plane.

On 4/24/24 at 12:20 PM EDT

Dog in shelter for over a year sleeps "soundly" on first night in new home

Rescue and Adoption
Dog in shelter for over a year sleeps "soundly" on first night in new homeBrooklyn, now Yeobo, the rescue dog was adopted after a long stint at a Manhattan animal rescue shelter.

On 4/24/24 at 11:21 AM EDT

Pages