The Financial Times reports that for two years, ISIS has been publishing annual reports (al-Naba) with detailed accounts of its operations -- just like General Motors or any other huge corporation.

It is not a corporation and does not have shareholders, but the military success and brutality of the jihadi group surging through Iraq have been recorded with the level of precision often reserved for company accounts.

ISIS' 400 page 2013 report is filled with statistics of the number and type of attacks it carried out and even the number of people it has converted to its cause. [More....]

Bit of a bounceback yesterday as I hit 2 out of 3 (and frankly, in terms of the run of play, all 3). Now 3-9-1 ATS for the World Cup. Today's picks:

FIFA World Cup 2014 - Group H - Belo Horizonte - Belgium -1½ over Algeria. Belgium provides good betting value as they are a top team but punters do not give it top team respect. Now if you look at FIFA rankings, the line is fair, if not favorable to Algeria (ranked 22 to Belgium's 10.) My view is that FIFA rankings are not particularly predictive (Ghana was 38 for example, Portugal 4.) And I think that's the case here. I like Belgium a lot in this spot and in this tournament.

Group A - Fortaleza - Mexico +1½ over Brazil. Off first game performance, Mexico was better than Brazil. Brazil as a team does not convince me at this point. I was thoroughly impressed with Mexico who could have won by 4. Brimming with confidence they will give Brazil all it can handle, and if the refereeing is fair (Ha!), even win.

Group H - Cuiabá - South Korea Pick (+240) over Russia. This is a fitness in the oppressive conditions (South Korea ALWAYS very fit) and price pick. Despite bad recent form, (Korea was beaten by Ghana 4-0 in WC tuneup) this is one of the best propositions all tournament imo.

Just got home from work, and I'm on my way out again. Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.

My disastrous World Cup investment record continues apace. Oh for 3 yesterday, 1-8-1 overall. Here are my losers for today:

Group G - Natal - Ghana Pick over USA

Group F - Curitiba - Iran vs. Nigeria - Draw +265

Group G - Salvador - Germany -115 over Portugal.

From the USA perspective, you should be rooting for Germany in today's first game as you're hoping to sneak into the second spot that advances to Round of 16 play. That means, imo, getting ahead of Portugal and Ghana. You want Germany 4-0 over Portugal and Ghana really so you can slide in with draws and a close loss to Germany. Of course a win today would be amazing. I personally don't think this USA team can get that done. Which is probably good news for USA.

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• Dozens killed in Kenya where Islamic militants set fire to a hotel.
• Pakistan launches air strikes in North Waziristan, killing 10 militants.
• Israel conducts air strikes in Gaza on military sites used by Hamas
• Syria intensifies airstrikes on ISIS bases
• ISIS takes another Iraqi town, Tal Afar, not far from Mosul.

Bump and Update: Colombia Re-elects President Santos

With 99% of the vote counted, President Juan Manual Santos has won the run-off election, 51% to 45%. Challenger Zuluaga has conceded. Santos even won Bogota this round.

He won Bogota, the nation’s capital, with the largest number of voters, a change from the first round, when he placed third in the first round of the elections. Santos also took the vote in the regions most affected by guerrilla groups, including the Putumayo, Nariño, Cauca and Norte de Santander states.

Thanks to Colombians for rejecting a return to Uribe and right-wing politics. Hopefully, the peace talks with FARC will continue and reach fruition. [More...]

Sorry I'm a little late with my picks. I know you were all waiting to put in your bets on the other side of my picks. Yes, I'm 1-5-1 ATS so far.

But I'm about to crank it up! The picks today: Group F - Rio de Janeiro - Argentina -1½ over Bosnia-Herzegovina Group E - Porto Alegre -Honduras +1½ over France Group E - Brasília- Ecuador Pick (+130) over Switzerland.

Mock me at your peril. I'm about to get it going.

Also too, Happy Fathers Day!

Secretary of defense Chuck Hagel today ordered the aircraft carrier U.S. Bush to the Arabian Gulf, along with a guided-missile cruiser and guided-missile destroyer.

The Bush will be accompanied by the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea and the guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun. The ships are expected to complete their transit into the Gulf later this evening.

ISIS is conducting mass executions of soldiers. Today their supporters posted photos of truckloads of captured Shia soldiers in Tikrit, with accompanying text claiming ISIS rounded up and killed 1,700 soldiers.

4 matches today in Groups C and D:

Group C - Belo Horizonte - Colombia vs. Greece. I expect Colombia to win but like the price on DRAW +340

Recife - Japan vs. Ivory Coast. I like JAPAN (PICK)

Group D- Fortaleza Uruguay -1 over Costa Rica. Will Suarez play today? In Manaus, in an Old World battle, I like England PICK over Italy. England always chokes at World Cup. I feel like something different will happen this time. But hell, Spain was my favorite.

OVERALL -1-2-1 ATS.

As ISIS continues to storm its way through Iraq, President Obama today ruled out sending ground troops to Iraq. (Transcript here.) Sounding like a stern parent, he said whatever other aid we provide will depend on the Iraqi Government getting its act together, and the U.S. will not be making any hasty decisions.

Over the past decade, American troops have made extraordinary sacrifices to give Iraqis and opportunity to claim their own future. Unfortunately, Iraqi leaders have been unable to overcome, too often, the mistrust and sectarian differences that have long been simmering there. And that's created vulnerabilities within the Iraqi government, as well as their security forces.

[More...]

3 matches on tap today, starting at noon continuing till 8 pm. Here are my picks : Cameroon (PICK +160) over El Tri (Mexico), Mexico is cpaable of losing to anyone. I think they are 3 and out at this World Cup.

Spain (-130) over Netherlands. Spain is my favorite. I think they repeat.

Chile (-1 -120) over Australia. Chile is very good. Australia is not. Really like this one.

My group picks are: Group A - Brazil, Group B- Spain, Group C- Colombia, Group D -Uruguay, Group E - Ecuador, Group F - Argentina, Group G -Germany, Group H - Belgium. As you can see, I'm big on home continent advantage.

I have court at 8:00 am this morning, 45 minutes away. So there will be nothing from me this morning.

Here's an open thread, all topics welcome.