Melissa Fleur Afshar

Life and Trends Reporter

Melissa Fleur Afshar is a Newsweek reporter based in London, United Kingdom.

Her current focus is on trending life 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.

Why building muscle gets harder after turning 30—doctor explains

Health
Why building muscle gets harder after turning 30—doctor explainsKeeping tabs on your weight and diet are key in preventing diabetes, but your muscle mass should not be forgotten.

On 2/18/25 at 5:00 AM EST

3 signs your inner child is impacting your relationships

Relationships
3 signs your inner child is impacting your relationshipsIs your inner child sabotaging your relationships? Experts reveal three key signs—and how to heal for healthier connections.

On 2/18/25 at 4:28 AM EST

Adopted cat steals hearts online over his "huge cheeks"

Pets
Adopted cat steals hearts online over his "huge cheeks""His cheeks are just so amazing," one viewer commented, while another added: "Awesome. More surface area for kisses."

On 2/17/25 at 1:46 PM EST

Woman gives up on dream dress for family wedding—then goes thrifting

Beauty and Fashion
Woman gives up on dream dress for family wedding—then goes thriftingMaggie Miller, delighted with her surprise find, called thrifting beneficial for both budgets and the planet.

On 2/17/25 at 12:55 PM EST

Driver who lied about delivering order to customer backed online

On the Internet
Driver who lied about delivering order to customer backed onlineThe delivery driver had refused the bizarre customer request to drop off the food inside a hotel's public restroom.

On 2/17/25 at 12:44 PM EST

Woman assumes boyfriend closes blind before bed—shock as she learns truth

Pets
Woman assumes boyfriend closes blind before bed—shock as she learns truth"It is his one house chore and he is doing great," one viewer said, after the owner shared her cat was to blame.

On 2/17/25 at 4:05 AM EST

Woman falls in love with shelter's "most terrified puppy," rest is history

Pets
Woman falls in love with shelter's "most terrified puppy," rest is historyThe viral video sparked conversation among dog owners, who discussed how their own shy pets transformed in their care.

On 2/14/25 at 11:34 AM EST

Hysterics at dog's response to the end credits of TV show: "So real"

Pets
Hysterics at dog's response to the end credits of TV show: "So real""It was 'Grey's Anatomy' for our dog," one viewer on TikTok said, while another added: "Dogs are so smart aren't they."

On 2/14/25 at 3:28 AM EST

What friend hands over to pay his portion of restaurant bill sparks debate

On the Internet
What friend hands over to pay his portion of restaurant bill sparks debate"You need new friends," one viewer on Reddit commented, while another said: "Defacing bills is a federal crime."

On 2/13/25 at 1:10 PM EST

Woman, 27, attends work event—has shock realization about beauty standards

On the Internet
Woman, 27, attends work event—has shock realization about beauty standardsSkylar Sorkin's admission ignited a heated debate about social media, Botox and fillers.

On 2/13/25 at 11:28 AM EST

All-time favorite romcoms ranked

Relationships
All-time favorite romcoms rankedThe new poll from Paired crowned the 2004 film "The Notebook" as the public's favorite Valentine's Day romantic comedy.

On 2/13/25 at 5:44 AM EST

Homeowners discover mystery hidden USB—then things get stranger

On the Internet
Homeowners discover mystery hidden USB—then things get strangerThe bizarre find whipped several viewers into action to try to find logical explanations for what the discovery means.

On 2/12/25 at 1:58 PM EST

Woman says she's "so lucky" for last-minute concert tickets—then sees view

On the Internet
Woman says she's "so lucky" for last-minute concert tickets—then sees view"Haha, I did not see that coming," one viewer on Instagram said, while another added: "Did you at least hear them?"

On 2/12/25 at 12:04 PM EST

Internet divided by roommate's girlfriend's bathroom habit: "Unsanitary"

On the Internet
Internet divided by roommate's girlfriend's bathroom habit: "Unsanitary"While many commenters saw the humor in the situation, others found it "disgusting."

On 2/11/25 at 2:34 PM EST

Wife takes husband's car, can't cope with the pic she sends 45 mins later

On the Internet
Wife takes husband's car, can't cope with the pic she sends 45 mins later"In 2021, I reversed into a light pole, and she still teases me for it," the woman's husband, 28, told Newsweek.

On 2/11/25 at 12:41 PM EST

6 ways millennial refuses to conform to age expectations: "Not too old"

On the Internet
6 ways millennial refuses to conform to age expectations: "Not too old"Daria Kropop, 34, told Newsweek: "We should celebrate the fact that we have the freedom to choose our own paths."

On 2/11/25 at 10:34 AM EST

Popular soda brand faces backlash for viral vending machine stunt

On the Internet
Popular soda brand faces backlash for viral vending machine stuntPoppi's director of PR and communications told Newsweek that the soda brand can't wait for people to see what's next.

On 2/11/25 at 5:07 AM EST

AI expert shares what Silicon Valley knows about ChatGPT that you don't

Tech & Science
AI expert shares what Silicon Valley knows about ChatGPT that you don'tCatherine Goetze has gone viral after saying what Silicon Valley insiders know about AI's future—and why it changes everything.

On 2/10/25 at 12:36 PM EST

Internet obsessed with how owner gets puppy to sit still: "so precious"

Pets
Internet obsessed with how owner gets puppy to sit still: "so precious""He is just a baby," one viewer on TikTok said, while another commented: "And they say dogs are not like kids."

On 2/10/25 at 12:26 PM EST

Woman backed for banning niece, 13, from her house: "Just a kid"

On the Internet
Woman backed for banning niece, 13, from her house: "Just a kid"A family therapist criticized the niece's "shameless" decision to destroy her older cousin's book collection.

On 2/7/25 at 11:54 AM EST

Hysterics as man accidentally trained dog to know he's done doomscrolling

Pets
Hysterics as man accidentally trained dog to know he's done doomscrolling"Pavlov's PopSocket," one viewer posted, while another added: "My dogs think it is bed time when I turn my Xbox off."

On 2/7/25 at 10:35 AM EST

Dog realizes his "days of relaxation" have ended after new puppy arrives

Pets
Dog realizes his "days of relaxation" have ended after new puppy arrives"Bombastic stink eye, love it," one viewer posted, while another added: "My elderly dogs feel this pain with the new puppy."

On 2/7/25 at 10:18 AM EST

Millennial mom helps 5th grader with homework, but it doesn't go as planned

On the Internet
Millennial mom helps 5th grader with homework, but it doesn't go as plannedThe mom had spotted a math error in the questions, sparking a viral debate on Reddit after sharing her discovery online.

On 2/7/25 at 6:14 AM EST

Cane corso freezes, makes sure owner is gone to sneak onto off limits couch

Pets
Cane corso freezes, makes sure owner is gone to sneak onto off limits couch"They are so smart," one viewer on TikTok said, while another added: "Let the sweet dog on the couch, poor fellow."

On 2/5/25 at 12:58 PM EST

Student orders $8 salad by robot delivery, baffled by what turns up

On the Internet
Student orders $8 salad by robot delivery, baffled by what turns upThe 19-year-old student told Newsweek that, despite ordering salad consisting of multiple ingredients, they received only ham.

On 2/5/25 at 12:50 PM EST

Why the internet thinks Sabrina Carpenter can finally eat McDonald's

Entertainment
Why the internet thinks Sabrina Carpenter can finally eat McDonald'sSabrina Carpenter's Grammy win sparked online buzz as fans joked that she's finally earned her first taste of McDonald's.

On 2/5/25 at 11:20 AM EST

Hearts melt at what cat does when owner's girlfriend starts to 'cry'

Pets
Hearts melt at what cat does when owner's girlfriend starts to 'cry'"Stop he is so sweet," one viewer on TikTok said, while another added: "Give that baby some Dreamies immediately!"

On 2/4/25 at 11:27 AM EST

Internet horrified as tenant finds "weird tape markings" in new home

On the Internet
Internet horrified as tenant finds "weird tape markings" in new home"Probably true crime junky's idea of a funny decoration, that is not a real crime scene," one viewer on TikTok said.

On 2/4/25 at 11:07 AM EST

Dalmatian with dwarfism gets sibling, his personality quickly changes

Pets
Dalmatian with dwarfism gets sibling, his personality quickly changes"They became inseparable best friends," the canines' owner told Newsweek after adopting the second dog from a rescue shelter.

On 2/3/25 at 12:18 PM EST

Man's shoes after four months of wear spark viral debate: "See a doctor"

On the Internet
Man's shoes after four months of wear spark viral debate: "See a doctor"An osteopath told Newsweek that the "right footwear can provide support, reduce strain and prevent health problems."

On 2/3/25 at 11:58 AM EST

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