Author: Bambi

Iran, or rather the regime in Iran, is threatening the USA, which has moved a large naval fleet to Middle East in order to threaten the Persian authoritarian country (https://tinyurl.com/mr2xa28e).

The pro-Iranian Yemen-based Houthis and Iraq-based Kataib Hezbollah are threatening new attacks on Israel (https://tinyurl.com/yvrdvd4u; https://tinyurl.com/3dh9znsh).

Mr. Netanyahu is threatening the regime in Iran, stating that any attack on Israel would be “met with a forceful response” (https://tinyurl.com/49wvsahc).

As for Mr. Naim Qassem, Secretary-General of the pro-Iranian Lebanon-based Hezbollah, he is threatening both Israel and USA if Iran is attacked, hinting that he would decide how to act then. He even added all the following, and we are not sure is he is serious or just verbally suicidal: “When (U.S. President Donald) Trump threatens (Iran’s supreme leader) Imam (Ali) Khamenei, he is threatening tens of millions who follow this leader,” Qassem said via video link during a Hezbollah rally in solidarity with Iran... We’re concerned with confronting this threat and we consider it a threat to us and to our religion, and we have all the jurisdiction to do what we see right to confront it… It is our duty to encounter this threat with all the measures and preparations, because harming Imam Khamenei would be an assassination of stability and of the situation in the region and the world, due to the spread of the supporters and advocates of the Wali al-Faqih (Khamenei)” (https://tinyurl.com/2wdmhyks).

All these threats and the innocent Iranian people are still being massacred by their regime while the people of Lebanon are sick and tired of absurdly dying in the name of any foreign entity, namely Iran now. And what to say about the innocent people of Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, along with the entire region, don’t they deserve to live without threats of more wars once and for all?

Bambi has been silent lately. One one hand, she has nothing particular to say. On the other hand, there is much happening in the world. What to focus on? Hard to choose.

In some countries, innocent citizens, including devoted nurses, get shot brutally, senselessly, and coldly just for exerting their democratic right of expressing their opinions on this or that topic. In other countries, a regime can kill over 5000 innocent people to silence them (https://tinyurl.com/9nmak3rs). Where are the demonstrations on the streets of the so-called free world to denounce this act of barbarism? We are still waiting. There are only calls of demonstrations, by certain leaders of extreme groups, in countries torn by war, to defend that ugly regime and its criminal leaders (https://tinyurl.com/5ye7fm66) … in the so-called name of a beautiful religion sadly hijacked from within.

Related to the above, what will happen in the next few days: A new round of war in the Middle East or a serious threat of violence, with a show of muscles, to induce an overdue change of power? Bambi does not like wars, it is not a secret on this blog. However, along with the inspiring Iranian people, she also dreams of change so they can get their country back. How will this affect her own birth country? No one can predict the future. History needs time to tell us what will happen.

In the meantime, Bambi will forget about the world’s troubles by finally focusing on music in this post. As per Ms. Ginette Reno, as as a singer, she literally is a song delivered with authentic emotions. When a song is composed of deep lyrics, along with beautiful melodies, it outlives the life expectancy of the gifted artist composing and performing it. May Ms. Reno, from Québec, and Mr. Michel Sardou, from France, live a long and healthy life. Thanks to both of them, for their incredible talent, and Happy Birthday to Mr. Sardou who will turn 79 tomorrow (https://tinyurl.com/2jcee8dj)!

For those of you who do not know Mr. Sardou well, this international French singer has an impressive number of immortal songs on various topics from universal love, romantic and passionate love, children’s agency, parental care, old couples, women, joy of singing, and on calls for fairness in the world that are still relevant since 1979!

At least 19 people injured, including journalists, and 50 families displaced, according to L’Orient Le Jour (https://tinyurl.com/4basmfbh), in the recent intense Israel shelling in Lebanon.

While Hezbollah’s main domestic ally is calling for “national unity” (https://tinyurl.com/4kaetuw5)”—whatever it means— and Mr. Trump is claiming that “something must be done about Hezbollah in Lebanon” (https://tinyurl.com/yutjesaa), “the Israeli army claims to have killed two Hezbollah members, including an official, and to have targeted “terrorist infrastructure of the Shiite party, located in the heart of civilian populations in South Lebanon” (https://tinyurl.com/4basmfbh). Last but not least, and according to a Lebanese official, there is “a clear disagreement between the U.S. and France over the situation in south Lebanon” (https://tinyurl.com/5d3k67yx).

In the meantime, the people of Lebanon are still held hostage in the middle of all this endless, and senseless, violence. When will they finally live in peace? When will love prevail in their land, among nations and, most significantly, in everyone’s hearts?

Bambi stands in FULL solidarity with the families of the 220 victims and 7000 injured in the surreal Beirut port explosion of August 4, 2020. They are shocked. They are on the streets again with the pictures of their loved ones.

Of note, Bambi has never heard of Ms. Gracia Azzi before. The latter may be innocent or competent. However, one cannot help not to wonder why such nomination and why now?

If you are interested, below you can listen to the lawyer of the families in Arabic with an English translation.

On November 12, 2025, Sheikh Naim Qassem—Hezbollah Secretary General—stated that “Imam Khamenei is the defender of fighters, human dignity, and the rights of the oppressed” (https://tinyurl.com/4ubzatpr). He was referring to the support of the Iranian regime to what the WANA News refers to as the “oppressed nations and resistance front” (https://tinyurl.com/4ubzatpr). As readers, we can guess that this refers to the Palestinian people, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, etc.”

From the BBC, we learned today the following: “In a speech on Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said thousands had been killed, “some in an inhuman, savage manner”, and blamed the US for the deaths. A violent response to the unrest has claimed 3,090 lives, according to US-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), with some activist groups putting the death toll far higher. An internet blackout has made it extremely difficult to get clear information” (https://tinyurl.com/p2tz9232).

Can you imagine? We are talking about over 3000 people who, despite the persistent danger of torture and death penalty, rebelled to break free from one of the most oppressive regimes of the world. Their government repressed them in the most barbaric and inhuman way. Sadly, most of the world, and many of its journalists, seem indifferent with their continuous silence, when it comes to the struggle and suffering of the courageous people of Iran. What a contrast with the response to the suffering of the Palestinian people. So far, neither the USA nor Israel intervened and we have the impression that the Iranian victims died, in the most violent ways, for nothing.

To come back to Mr. Qassem’s statement, what does this Lebanese Sheikh have to say to the families of the victims of this massacre? How does he explain the oppression of his Iranian peer Ayatollah Khamenei toward his own people? Doesn’t he see the contradiction between the factual reality now and the illusion of his older statement?

We are talking about thousands of human beings who are of the same species as these two so-called spiritual men. Muslims of the same faith as them on top of that. May their memory be eternal and may their beautiful country finally see the change that it is craving for. It is overdue.

Once again, Bambi stands in full solidarity with the people of Iran, praying for the end of violence, healing, justice, peace, and LOVE for them and for the entire Middle East, including her birth country.

.

Dalida, the late yet unforgettable worldwide star, was born in Egypt on January 17, 1933 (https://tinyurl.com/bdd8cdze). This incredibly talented Italian-French singer—and actress —sold millions of records in several languages, including but not limited to French, English, Italian, Arabic, German, Japanese, and Hebrew.

With fans worldwide, Dalida keeps inspiring younger generations of artists, like the gifted Lebanese singer Marilyne Naaman. Same for lay people of all ages and walks of life.

Amusingly, some of her faithful fans, namely Bambi’s (passionate!) parents, risked their lives, driving from Beirut to Damascus just to attend her concert in Syria. Yes, love of both music and life was stronger than the fear of death or of occupation. As a reminder, this story took place in the 1970s in the middle of a cruel 15-year-long civil war.

If there is a meaningful word that comes to Bambi’s mind right now while preparing this brief musical tribute to Dalida, it is the following: Merci; thank you; Grazie; Danke Shoukran, Arigato, Toda, etc. This list should have been extended to over 10 languages to hounour all the emotions that Dalida conveyed through her international performance.

Of course, music is known to be universal, but Dalida’s talent united us all in humanity. For this and for all, thank you Dalida 💚. May your memory in heaven be as eternal as your endless musical legacy on earth!

How can Bambi go to sleep without highlighting the forthcoming evening of Saint Anthony’s Day?

Yes, it is already January 16 at her dad’s end. Much love to him. May Saint-Anthony keep protecting and blessing him day after day.

From the bottom of the heart, warm wishes of well-being too to ALL the Tonys, Tanios, Anthonys, Antoines, and Antoinettes of the larger beloved family in Beirut and among the friends-like-family in Canada, France, and Dubai.

Of note, “Anthony the Great” is renowned for his inspiring humility. As well described by Dr. Dimitrios Tsatiris in Psychology Today (2023), “humility is the acceptance that you are no better or worse than anyone else” (https://tinyurl.com/4uswh8uu). For those of us who have forgotten how to value and live this virtue, the latter can be “cultivated“, thankfully. One way of doing so is to allow ourselves to learn from others, as shared by Tsatiris, MD who “learned so many important life lessons from his patients” (https://tinyurl.com/4uswh8uu).

May the great yet humble Saint-Anthony keep protecting Bambi’s dad et al. May he watch over Lebanon, along with the entire Middle East, in its critical moments of history where those blinded by power lost not just humility, but also—most alarmingly—their humanity.

Iconic International Lebanese singer Fairuz turned 91 on November 21st, 2025 (https://tinyurl.com/5ba2rsvh).

According to L’Orient Today, Fairuz “had four children with her husband, composer Assi Rahbani, who died of a brain hemorrhage in 1986. In addition to Ziad and Hali, she is also the mother of Layal, who died in 1988, two years after Assi, at the age of 28 from a stroke, and Rima, who is now Fairuz’s only living child” (https://tinyurl.com/yc4yppmf).

As a reminder, Fairuz lost her son Ziad a few months ago, namely in July 2025. Bambi has two older posts honouring this late GREAT artist (shown below). Back then, she had a thought for his grieving mom. Today, the latter is mourning again. Indeed, she lost her son Hali to whom she had been a devoted caregiver since he became severely disabled, at a young age, following meningitis. May God know how to comfort her shattered heart.

Although no parent should have to bury his or her children, Fairuz tragically went from one loss to another. Despite her pain, she remained true to herself with her stoic and dignified silence. What a lady.

In solidarity, across the miles, Bambi sends her and her daughter Rima—a film director and a photographer— her heart once again, along with a prayer and two spiritual songs shared below.

May Hali’s memory be eternal… Blessings, and much love, to his inspiring mom.

—

Farewell to Mr. Ziad Rahbani: Sincerity, a powerful force in life and postmortem

Good-bye Mr. Ziad Rahbani: May your soul rest in peace and love to your mom, Fairuz, and your surviving siblings

Bambi is grateful for Salome’s great talent and generosity. Below you can appreciate the first three stunning winter-related pictures taken by her in the Netherlands. Wow, a lot of snow. May Salome, and her loved ones, stay warm while enjoying this natural beauty!

This being said, the last two pictures of this post were taken by Bambi. The red bird, called cardinal, came to her window while she was working. Fascinated, she rushed to take a small video that she shared with her loved ones domestically and abroad.

Following this, she got curious, wondering if her birth country has cardinals like North America. After googling the words “Lebanon” and “cardinals”, she smiled when she came across a picture of “Cardinal” Béchara Boutros Rai, the current Patriarch of Antioch for the Maronite (Catholic) Church. Although cardinal birds do not seem to be native of Lebanon, Cardinal Rai’s religious black costume includes some red :).

This being said, the last picture Bambi took it yesterday in the car before driving to work. She hopes that you will enjoy the shape of melting ice on the windscreen, dear readers.

Regardless of the country, winter is a charming season. However, while enjoying it, one must remember to adjust clothing and behaviour for outdoor walking and driving. This is especially the case under freezing rain or during snow storms.

Happy winter… or maybe summer season, everyone!

Many thanks, Mr. Anthony Samrani, for your excellent overview (as usual).

Good luck to the people of Iran who have been craving freedom for so long. Today more than ever. They are a model of courage and diligence for all of us.

May God protect them from the increased wrath of the Iranian regime. This is Bambi’s prayer for them now in her heart, regardless of the implications for her birth country.

“Never has the Iranian regime been so weak and never has it seemed so close to its end.

It is under enormous pressure, first on the domestic scene where he has been facing demonstrations for twelve days now, which, last night, were massive.

But also on the external stage, with the possibility of Israeli and/or American military intervention.

Are we then witnessing the final days of the Islamic Republic, 45 years after its creation?

We must remain cautious. Firstly, because things can change very quickly, in either direction.

On the other hand, because there are still numerous unknowns.

For such a regime to fall, at least one of these two factors is necessary: ​​

Either a significant split in the security apparatus, meaning that a part of the security apparatus would consider that the regime is finished and that it is no longer worth fighting to defend it.

Or this could involve external intervention, for example the elimination of Ali Khamenei, which would be potentially decisive in the protesters’ seizure of power.

We know that the regime will remain inflexible as long as the supreme leader is alive.

It is unknown to what extent the Venezuelan scenario in which, for example, the Pasdaran would negotiate the survival of the regime in exchange for the head of Ali Khamenei is possible in the Iranian case.

What is certain is that we are witnessing a decisive moment in all cases, both for the region and for Lebanon”.