Melissa Fleur Afshar
Life and Trends Reporter
Melissa Fleur Afshar is a Newsweek Life and Trends Reporter based in London, United Kingdom. Her focus is on trending stories and human-interest features, ranging from relationships, pets, and personal finances to health, wellbeing, 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, and Greater London-based radio broadcaster Insanity Radio.
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 [email protected].
You can follow her on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram at @melissafleura.
Woman cheered for why she's banning daughter attending bio dad's wedding
A clinical psychologist shared his views on the sensitive situation.
Delight as dog refuses to leave grandparents as he's fed "unlimited treats"
"It looks like he's came to the door to wave you off," one user wrote, while another added: "He said 'I don't know them'."
Internet in hysterics as woman gets cat to catch mice, but plan backfires
One TikTok user commented: "The mouse may have toxoplasmosis."
Ex-race horse running at high speed before falling over viewed by almost 5M
One user wrote: "Just gets up and keeps running like nothing happened."
Hysterics as dog left as "high as a kite" in owner's arms after dental op
One TikTok user commented: "This is hilarious."
Woman making 4 strict house rules to deter sister from moving in praised
A licensed therapist and clinical psychologist told Newsweek what she makes of the situation and what the woman can do to help her sister.
Shock as passenger claims flight attendants sat human "organ" next to her
"Thinking back, they probably wouldn't have put a real transplant organ next to me, but it's still a cool thought," the woman told Newsweek.
Infertile woman demanding custody of sister-in-law's baby sparks fury
A forensic psychiatrist shared her thoughts on the shocking incident between the two women.
Pregnant woman and dog go for ultrasounds together to see their "babies"
"Kikka has been by my side throughout the pregnancy," the dog's owner Elina Purhonen told Newsweek.
Golden retriever has best reaction to visitor on the phone: 'the audacity'
Trapper the golden retriever's owner told Newsweek: "He loves everyone."
The dangerous bacteria on your toothbrush and how to prevent it
Newsweek spoke with two dental experts based in the U.S. to learn what hazards come from an unclean toothbrush and how to prevent them.
Dog missing for days is found underground in emotional vid: 'Never give up'
The internet has gone wild over the emotional clip of dedicated owners rescuing their beloved miniature dachnshund.
Hilarious viral vid shows dog working "so hard to pay the bills" with owner
One TikTok user commented: "His job is bed."
Dog owner shows off pair of unusual mixed breeds: "Husky face, corgi butt?"
The viral video shows two dogs that have the face of a husky and the tail of a corgi.
How woman ensured only one granddaughter would inherit money cheered
A legal expert offered his thoughts on the awkward situation to Newsweek.
Dumped golden retriever who wanted to stay "invisible" breaks hearts
One TikTok user commented: "You are such a great person for taking care of this little angel."
Dog siblings making themselves comfortable in owner's bed delights viewers
One TikTok user commented: "They're so happy and comfy."
Internet in hysterics after "rat from Ratatouille" joins luxury boat trip
One user commented under the video with almost 2 million views: "I'm so happy they took him back to safe land."
Melissa Rivers reveals the three fall fashion trends to avoid in 2023
Actress, host, and fashion expert Melissa Rivers broke down the top three trends people should be avoiding this fall, and why.
"My children won't forgive me, I haven't seen them in years"
A relationship consultant and a clinical psychologist offered their best advice to Newsweek on the dilemma.
Internet obsessed with husky back-talking his owner: "Getting out of hand"
One TikTok user commented: "Not me wanting a Husky just to hear them argue with me."
Golden retriever goes viral for interrupting puppy sibling's training
One TikTok user commented: "OMG, that is priceless".
After 19 years alone, blind cow finally gets a friend in emotional video
One TikTok user commented: "I'm not crying, ok I'm bawling!! She deserves this kind of beautiful life!"
Woman uses thermometer to measure metabolism—here's what an expert thinks
A gynecologist with a specialism in hormonal health told Newsweek why the thermometer method may not be as reliable as it seems.
Laughter over golden Labrador's "interrogation" as owner returns from trip
"I get this if I step outside my house for 4 minutes," one user commented under the video with almost 650,000 views.
Hearts break for cat crying when owners leave on vacation
Viewers on TikTok were much affected by the tear-jerker of a video showing a cat distressed that its owners had gone.
The real reason dogs like sleeping in their owner's bed
A dog trainer and behaviorist told Newsweek why most dogs love sleeping in their owner's beds, and why this may turn out to be harmful to them.
Rescue dog's "way of asking" for strokes after a year breaks hearts
One TikTok user commented: "This just made me cry, in the best way."
Passenger demanding "lazy child" gives up disabled seat on train slammed
The older woman refused to believe that the teen needed a priority seat on the train and demanded she stand up.
Woman on plane captures viral moment dad signals a message from his boat
"I would've shouted to the whole flight that that was my dad," one social media user joked.
