Submit your Article

Some friendships become toxic over time, leaving you emotionally drained. How can you recognize when to walk away and how can you cope with the loss?

Answered by Tashi Gurung, counseling psychologist

Not all friendships in our lives are truly meaningful, even if they may seem important at first. When we take a moment to genuinely reflect and analyze the nature of our relationships over time, we can begin to discern whether they are actually healthy or simply habitual. It’s easy to hold on to a connection just because of shared history, but history alone doesn’t justify emotional strain.
Ask yourself: Does spending time with this friend leave me feeling anxious, unheard, or consistently drained? Do I find myself constantly putting in more effort than I receive? Do I feel unappreciated, disrespected, or subtly undermined by passive-aggressive behavior? Is there a sense of rivalry disguised as concern, or do I feel emotionally manipulated? If the answers to these questions lean toward yes, then it may be time to consider stepping away.
Letting go of such a relationship isn’t easy. Ending a friendship, especially one that may have once been close, can trigger a deep sense of grief. These emotions are valid. You might feel a mix of sadness, guilt, anger, or even relief. All of these responses are normal, and it’s important to accept them without judgment. There is no ‘right’ way to feel when a chapter closes.
During this period of emotional transition, it’s helpful to lean on the people who have consistently shown up for you—those who support you with sincerity and care. Engaging in fulfilling activities, spending time with loved ones, or even diving into creative hobbies can be ways to reconnect with yourself and replenish your emotional energy.
Ultimately, learning to let go is a powerful skill, one rooted in self-awareness and self-respect. Walking away from a toxic or unbalanced friendship is not a sign of failure. In fact, it’s a meaningful step toward preserving your well-being and honoring your personal growth. Choosing peace over persistent discomfort is one of the most courageous acts of self-love.
And as we move forward, it's important to remember that not every ending is a loss. By creating space in our lives, we open the door for new, healthier connections to find us—relationships built on mutual respect, understanding, and genuine care. The right people will never make you question your worth. They will help you see it more clearly.

Rumen Radev, Bulgaria's president, indicated on Friday that he will propose to parliament a countrywide referendum on euro adoption in 2026.

In a public address, Radev stated that Bulgaria, as a full member of the European Union since 2007, is facing a key strategic decision regarding the adoption of the single European currency. He underlined that other EU countries had held referendums on joining the Eurozone, according to Xinhua.

Under the Bulgarian constitution, the president can set a date for a referendum only after the National Assembly approves the proposal.

Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova recently stated that Bulgaria has completed all of the requirements for Eurozone membership and is awaiting assessments from the European Commission and the European Central Bank. She expressed hope for a positive outcome, Xinhua reported.

At least 30 people were killed in southeastern Nigeria’s Imo State when gunmen attacked travellers along the Okigwe-Owerri road on Thursday, according to Al Jazeera.

The attackers, suspected to be members of the banned separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), set fire to more than 20 vehicles, including trucks, in what Amnesty described as a “vicious attack.”

"The gunmen blocked the highway and carried out the assault with complete disregard for human life," the rights group stated, urging a thorough investigation and prosecution of those guilty.

Imo police spokesperson Henry Okoye acknowledged the event but did not disclose any casualty figures. He informed Al Jazeera that one of the attackers had been killed by police.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hosted UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and German opposition leader Friedrich Merz at the Mariyinsky Palace in Kyiv for talks aimed at advancing a cease-fire in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The meeting came after the UK imposed additional sanctions on Russia's "shadow fleet," a network of tankers that evaded oil export limits, according to BBC.

In a joint statement, the leaders pledged to increase pressure on Russia and expressed their support for prospective peace talks. Zelensky stressed that Russia must be held accountable for its aggressiveness.Zelensky reiterated that Russia must be held accountable for its aggression.

The talks took place a day after Russia’s annual World War II victory parade in Moscow and as President Putin’s self-declared three-day ceasefire comes to an end, BBC reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Friday, emphasizing China's commitment to improving relations with Slovakia and advancing China-EU collaboration. The encounter took place during ceremonies commemorating the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War, which occurred 80 years ago, Xinhua reported.

Xi underlined that China-Slovakia relations are fast improving, emphasizing the continuous execution of agreements from Fico's 2023 visit to China. He advocated for further collaboration in trade, investment, and Belt and Road initiatives, and he welcomed Slovakia's selection as the guest country of honor at the 2018 China-CEEC Expo.

Fico described the strategic partnership with China as a key foreign policy priority and reaffirmed Slovakia’s support for the one-China policy. He expressed strong backing for China’s global initiatives and praised its constructive role on international issues. Slovakia, he said, is committed to working with China to support multilateralism, free trade, and global supply chain stability, as reported by Xinhua.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that Pakistan’s actions over the last few days are being seen as “provocative and escalatory”. Speaking in the press conference, Col Sofiya Qureshi further said during the briefing that Pakistan tried to attack air base in Punjab. Col Qureshi also said that Pakistan military is observed to be moving their troops to border areas. Apart from targeting military bases, Pakistan also targeted medical facilities in Srinagar, Avantipura and Udhampur, Qureshi said on Saturday morning.

The Indian foreign secretary reiterated India’s commitment to non-escalation provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistan military. Misri also refuted Pakistan’s claims of missiles being fired at religious site and termed it “ludicrous”.

Pakistan’s foreign minister said Saturday that if India stops its escalatory actions, so will Islamabad. “If there is an iota of sanity, India will stop and if they stop, so will we,” Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on camera while speaking with a local TV station. Pakistan said Saturday that India launched missiles at key military bases, including a base close to the capital Islamabad. Shortly after, Pakistan’s military said it had launched an operation against India in retaliation to those latest strikes.

Mexico has sued Google for referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" in US versions of Google Maps, despite repeated objections. President Claudia Sheinbaum claims that the alteration violates international name standards, Associated Press reported.

The debate stems from a recent vote in the United States House of Representatives, led by Republicans, to officially adopt the name "Gulf of America" for use in federal papers. US President Donald Trump said that the US has main influence over the region.Google stated that it follows official government sources and displays different names based on user location.

Mexico claims the modification misrepresents shared territory. The issue also caused friction between the White House and the Associated Press, who refused to use the new name.

According to the Associated Press, Trump is also planning on renaming the Persian Gulf the "Gulf of Arabia" during his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir on Friday and urged both Pakistan and India to find ways to de-escalate.

A US Department Of State spokesperson said Rubio also offered US assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts.