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After a week‑long outage that crippled Canvas for millions of students worldwide, Instructure announced it had reached an agreement with the ransomware group ShinyHunters. While the company stopped short of confirming a payment, the deal raises fresh questions about the wisdom of paying extortionists to protect sensitive educational data. Instructure’s Agreement with ShinyHunters: What Actually Happened The attack began when the group exploited a vulnerability in Instructure’s “Free for Teacher” software, allowing them to deface login pages at institutions such as the University of Texas San Antonio. ShinyHunters threatened to leak 3.6 TB of data – student IDs, emails, names and messages from 9,000 schools and roughly 275 million students and staff – unless a ransom was paid. Instructure later said the stolen data had been “returned” and that it received “digital confirmation of data destruction” via shred logs, but it did not explicitly confirm a payment. Financial Stakes: Ransom Demands, Potential Payments, and Industry Benchmarks ShinyHunters initially demanded $10 million in ransom. Australian ransomware surveys show the average payment fell to $711,000 in 2025, down from $1.35 million the year before. According to a McGrathNicol report, 64 % of surveyed Australian firms had paid a ransom, and 81 % said they would be willing to do so. As of January 2026, 75 Australian businesses with turnovers of at least $3 million had paid ransoms, though the total amount remains undisclosed. Cyber‑security experts estimate that Instructure’s payout – if any – could be anywhere up to the $10 million demand, potentially reduced through negotiation. Policy and Business Implications: Why Paying Ransom Remains Controversial Governments in the UK, US and Australia advise against paying ransoms, arguing that non‑payment reduces the attractiveness of ransomware as a crime vector. In Australia, paying a designated attacker could breach the autonomous cyber‑sanctions law, exposing firms to prosecution on a case‑by‑case basis. Critics also note that payment does not guarantee data will not be leaked; attackers may still copy or sell the information after receiving money. Experts such as Darren Hopkins (McGrathNicol) and Luke Irwin (Aegis Cybersecurity) stress the “trust factor” – criminals must appear honest to receive payment, yet they remain untrustworthy. This paradox fuels boardroom debates about risk‑driven decision‑making versus investing in prevention and incident response capabilities. Looking Ahead: How Companies May Navigate Future Extortion Threats The Canvas case underscores the need for stronger cyber‑resilience strategies: regular vulnerability patching, robust backup architectures, and clear ransomware response playbooks. Insurers are tightening coverage terms, often requiring demonstrable mitigation measures before honoring ransom claims. Policymakers may also tighten reporting obligations and consider clearer prohibitions on ransom payments, especially for critical‑infrastructure providers like education platforms. Ultimately, firms will have to balance the immediate pressure to restore services against the long‑term cost of incentivising criminal enterprises. As ransomware groups refine their extortion tactics, the industry’s collective stance on paying – or refusing – will shape the next wave of cyber‑crime economics.

Guardian launches interactive Eurovision quiz for the 2026 contest The Guardian has added a new interactive element to its Eurovision coverage, inviting readers to take a timed quiz that covers the history, trivia and recent developments of the competition ahead of the 2026 final in Vienna. Quiz format and range of questions Multiple‑choice questions covering past winners, host countries and memorable performances. Specific 2026‑related items such as the UK entry, the presenting team and the first African participant. Visual cues accompany each question, using images of artists like JJ, Sam Battle and Loreen. Instant feedback reveals correct answers and short explanatory notes. Engagement and social buzz The quiz is embedded directly in the article, allowing readers to submit answers without leaving the page. Social sharing buttons encourage fans to compare scores, creating a viral loop that amplifies discussion on platforms such as Twitter and TikTok. Eurovision’s cultural relevance in 2026 With the contest now a staple of both European and Australian television schedules, the quiz underscores how Eurovision continues to shape pop culture, fashion and even tourism, as millions tune in to watch the Vienna show. Future of interactive music quizzes By blending editorial content with gamified elements, The Guardian demonstrates a growing trend among media outlets to deepen audience participation. Expect more themed quizzes around major live events as publishers seek to retain readers in an increasingly interactive digital landscape.

The Return of Quirky Detective DuoDeath Valley returns to BBC One at 8.15pm, bringing back the enjoyably quirky murder mystery comedy featuring retired actor John Chapel (Timothy Spall) and Welsh detective Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth). This season, John has a new goatee and girlfriend, which doesn't sit well with Janie, especially since he's now dating her mother. Despite this family complication, they reunite as an unlikely detective duo when a man doing community service is found dead at an outdoor rave site.Adventure in Russia's Far EastAt 7.15pm on BBC Two, Expedition With Steve Backshall begins its second thrilling series at the Kronotsky River in Russia's far-east Kamchatka Peninsula. The explorer and his team of top kayakers attempt a descent that's never been done before, facing additional challenges from active volcanoes and brown bears in this remote wilderness.Documentary on Justice for Rape VictimsBelieve Me airs on ITV1 at 9pm, offering an unrelenting look at the gaslighting and retraumatisation of rape victims as they seek justice. The show continues to follow the case of John Worboys as he continues his attacks while police make glacial progress. Viewers witness the ongoing effects on victims such as Sarah, who has given birth to her second child while navigating the justice system.Amateur Singing Competition Reaches Grand FinalYour Song: The Grand Final on Channel 4 at 9pm brings the amateur singing competition hosted by Alison Hammond to its climax with a sold-out concert at London's Hackney Empire. After heartstring-tugging public heats in Liverpool, Edinburgh, London and Birmingham, five finalists compete for the title. Supportive mentors Sam Ryder and Paloma Faith face the difficult task of deciding the winner.Jools Holland Marks Milestone with New SeriesThe eternal live music show Later … With Jools Holland begins its 68th series on BBC Two at 10pm, coinciding with host Jools Holland turning 68. Despite his age, his passion for new sounds that can be decorated with boogie-woogie piano remains undimmed. The opening episode welcomes Niall Horan, Tomora, Aja Monet, Getdown Services and Jools's old muckers Squeeze to the Ally Pally theatre.Australian Thriller Explores Neighborhood SecretsAt 10.20pm on ITV1, The Family Next Door presents an aesthetically pleasing Australian thriller about secrets hidden in an otherwise idyllic suburb. When Isabelle (Teresa Palmer) rents a home on Pleasant Court cul-de-sac in a seaside town, she becomes obsessed with her neighbors and discovers a mystery to solve.Film Choices Explore Complex Family DynamicsOn BBC Three at 10.40pm, God's Creatures examines how far a mother's love can go when Emily Watson's Aileen faces a life-changing question after her prodigal son, Brian (Paul Mescal), returns home from Australia. When Sarah (Aisling Franciosi), her young colleague at the seafood processing factory, is raped and accuses Brian, Aileen provides him with a false alibi. The claustrophobic drama reveals how tight-knit communities often respond to challenges with denial and exclusion, with women typically bearing the consequences.Following that, at 10.50pm on BBC Two, Brother presents a heartfelt sibling drama about the long reach of trauma. Directed by Clement Virgo, the film follows Lamar Johnson's young Jamaican-Canadian Michael as he ekes out an existence with his grief-numbed single mother, Ruth (Marsha Stephanie Blake). In a parallel timeline, the teenage Michael is guided to adulthood by his older brother, Francis (Aaron Pierre), a charismatic would-be hip-hop musician struggling to rise above police racism, gang violence, and homophobia.Live Sport Action Across Multiple ChannelsSports fans have multiple options tonight, beginning with Women's Six Nations Rugby: Wales v Italy at noon on BBC Two, followed by France v England at 4.25pm on BBC One. Football enthusiasts can catch Premier League matches with Man United v Nottingham Forest at noon on Sky Sports Main Event and Newcastle v West Ham at 5pm.

The Grand Final Decider: City’s Clinical Finish Secures Fifth TitleIn front of a packed Melbourne crowd, Melbourne City delivered a dominant performance to defeat newcomers Wellington Phoenix 3‑1 and claim a record‑equalling fifth A‑League Women Championship. The victory was sealed by two rapid goals from Holly McNamara in the 41st and 43rd minutes, followed by a spectacular long‑range effort from Leticia McKenna in the second half.Key Moments and Player Performances That Shaped the MatchMcNamara, fresh off her Golden Boot award, opened the scoring with a spin‑and‑strike from outside the box before doubling the lead two minutes later. McKenna’s curling strike in the 49th minute gave City a comfortable cushion, while Wellington’s Makala Woods pulled one back in the 52nd minute. The match also featured the league’s first VAR intervention, which upheld a non‑penalty call on Bryleeh Henry after a contentious challenge.Statistical Snapshot: What the Numbers RevealFinal Score: Melbourne City 3 – 1 Wellington PhoenixGoal Scorers: Holly McNamara (2), Leticia McKenna (1), Makala Woods (1)Championships Won: Melbourne City now holds five titles, equal to Sydney FCPremierships: Five all‑time, matching their championship tallyUpcoming Fixture: AFC Women’s Champions League semi‑final vs. Tokyo Verdy BelezaImplications for Australian Women’s Football LandscapeThe win solidifies City’s emergence as the pre‑eminent force in Australian women’s football, matching Sydney FC’s historic record and underscoring the growing competitiveness of the A‑League Women. Coach Bev Priestman, voted Coach of the Season, highlighted the squad’s depth and tactical flexibility, while the introduction of VAR marks a new era of officiating standards in the league.Looking Ahead: Potential Treble and Regional DominanceCity’s focus now shifts to the AFC Women’s Champions League, where a semi‑final clash against Japanese side Tokyo Verdy Beleza offers a chance to become the first A‑League Women club to secure a treble of domestic league, domestic cup, and continental titles in a single season. Success would not only elevate City’s brand internationally but also boost the profile of Australian women’s football on the Asian stage.

The Lead: Ritchie's Resilient Entertainment ValueWhile the actual quality might never threaten to float him above a three-star rating, I've grown an odd, outsized fondness for Guy Ritchie's recent run of solidly enjoyable lower-tier action films. Whether deadly serious (Wrath of Man), entirely unserious (Operation Fortune) or somewhere between the two (The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare), there's been a real snap to them, one that's usually missing from other recent films of that ilk.The Event Details: Ritchie's Craft in 'In the Grey'Ritchie is more deeply invested in the thought-through craft of making a B-movie than many of his peers and there's a smooth sensuousness to how he moves, each of them looking, feeling and sounding like films he genuinely cares about. But, against all considerable odds, In the Grey might well be Ritchie's most purely entertaining film for years. Sure, it's messy in moments and nonsensically plotted at others, but it's also an incredibly, consistently fun time.The Plot Premise: A Debt Recovery ThrillerIt's his first sole writing credit since 2019's The Gentleman and hinges on a nifty, unusual premise. Rachel (Eiza González, reteaming with Ritchie after Ministry) is a lawyer tasked with trying to retrieve unpaid debts from dangerous figures, working on behalf of similarly shadowy financial firms. Her latest target Salazar (Carlos Bardem) owes $1bn and he's already dispatched the last lawyer who tried to get it back for sharp-edged exec Bobby (Rosamund Pike, devouring her few scenes).The Cast Dynamics: Chemistry and CharacterHis film is a tightly edited game with each moving part as thrilling as the other, whether it's González sparring with Pike (the pair trained well in 2020's nasty comedy I Care a Lot) or Gyllenhaal and Cavill enjoying the homoerotic motions of their boys-with-their-toys preparation. Ritchie's films have long toyed with queerness and here, the sexual chemistry and undefined dynamic between the two men isn't played for mean-spirited gay panic humour, they are for all intents and purposes playing a gay couple.The Action Craft: Ritchie's Signature StyleRitchie, as one has to come to expect, is an expert chaos-constructer and the action, along with another booming, seat-vibrating score from Christopher Benstead, is all seriously exciting to watch. Suspension of disbelief is of course required with our leads emerging as unscathed as superheroes, while also remaining as perfectly styled as models, but I was far too wrapped up to care.The Commercial Challenges: A Pattern of Mishandled ReleasesIf only audiences, and the companies releasing them, felt the same. While Wrath of Man, a more marketable Jason Statham revenge thriller yet containing more grit than one would expect, managed to make enough money overseas, he's otherwise struggled to justify his unusually high budgets. Operation Fortune was renamed, resold and pushed around the schedule before misfiring at the box office while The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare couldn't even make half of its budget back after another botched release.The Future Outlook: Ritchie's Enduring AppealI fear for the day Ritchie will stop getting funding for his zippy and sleek yet commercially mishandled and criminally underseen larks but for now, with two more in the can, I'll happily live in a time when the cheques are still being written. The ending is at first satisfying and then a little abrupt, roughly yanking us out of what had been a smooth summer sojourn, the dust the film had been gathering on the shelf suddenly getting in our eyes.In the Grey is out now in US and Australian cinemas with a UK date to be announced

Podcast Overview: Chalmers Responds to Budget CriticsIn the Full Story podcast released on 15 May 2026, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers directly answers the criticisms leveled at the Labor government’s 2026 budget. The discussion centers on how the budget aims to benefit younger Australians, the contentious reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and recent changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing.Key Issues Highlighted in Linked AnalysesLabor’s budget will benefit the young – but does little to woo voters drawn to One NationNDIS cuts could leave some participants with a funding gap. How will the changes affect you?Budget capital gains tax changes and negative gearing reform explainedPolicy Highlights and Their Political ContextThe budget proposes targeted measures for first‑time home buyers and reforms to negative gearing, aiming to balance housing affordability with investor confidence. Simultaneously, the NDIS reforms introduce stricter eligibility criteria, prompting concerns about a potential funding gap for participants.Potential Impact on Voter SentimentBy emphasizing youth‑focused initiatives, the Labor government hopes to solidify support among younger voters, a demographic traditionally less aligned with the party. However, criticism from One Nation and concerns over NDIS cuts could sway undecided voters toward opposition parties.Outlook: What Comes Next for the 2026 BudgetChalmers’ defense suggests the government will continue to promote the budget’s long‑term economic benefits while monitoring the immediate social impacts of NDIS changes. Future parliamentary debates and state‑level feedback will likely shape any adjustments before the next fiscal review.

The Lead: Hedge Fund's Bold MoveThe board of Britain's largest private hospital operator has backed a buyout proposal worth £1bn from its second-biggest shareholder, a hedge fund manager known as "the Rottweiler", sending its shares soaring by nearly 50%. Spire Healthcare, which operates 38 private hospitals and over 60 clinics across England, Wales and Scotland, confirmed it had received a non-binding proposal worth 250p a share from funds advised by Toscafund Asset Management.The Breakthrough: Activist Investor's Strategic ApproachToscafund, founded in 2000 by Martin Hughes, has a history of aggressive takeover approaches, earning its founder the nickname "the Rottweiler". The hedge fund has until June 11 to announce a firm intention to make an offer for Spire or walk away under UK takeover rules. This approach comes after previous talks between Spire and private equity companies Bridgepoint and Triton fell through when Triton pulled out in March.The Financial Impact: Market Reaction and ValuationSpire's share price, which had hit a five-year low at 142p in March, jumped by 47p to 221p on Thursday, giving the company a market capitalisation of £892m. The significant market response indicates investor confidence in the potential deal. Analysts at Peel Hunt have suggested that assuming a 250p offer is forthcoming from the second-largest holder, they would not be surprised to see this deal go through, unlike the previous £1bn takeover offer from Australian rival Ramsay Healthcare in 2021 which was accepted by the board but rejected by shareholders.The Industry Transformation: UK Healthcare Sector ImplicationsThis potential takeover comes amid mounting concerns about the privatization of the UK's healthcare system. Spire generates just under a third of its revenues from NHS work, such as hip and knee operations, with over 85% of NHS commissioning already agreed for the health service's new financial year. The deal follows last August's £1.8bn acquisition of NHS landlord Assura by Primary Health Properties, which involved an intense takeover battle with US private equity group KKR. These transactions highlight the growing consolidation in the UK healthcare sector as private investors see opportunities in an increasingly strained public health system.The Future Outlook: Strategic Direction and Market DynamicsSpire's largest shareholder is Mediclinic, a global private healthcare group, which holds just under 30% of the company. Despite the board's support for the potential takeover, Spire has emphasized its "standalone strategy" and "significant progress in strengthening care quality, diversifying revenue streams and driving efficiencies" in recent years. The company has maintained its full-year outlook, noting strong growth in revenues from private patients, particularly those paying for treatment out of their own pockets. As the UK healthcare landscape continues to evolve, this potential takeover could reshape the private hospital market and influence the relationship between private providers and the NHS.

The Western Australian Government's Climate Stance Western Australia has been known for its beautiful landscapes, beaches, and roads. However, its government has taken a stance on climate change that is concerning. They believe they shouldn't be expected to act on the climate crisis in the same way as the rest of Australia. Climate Targets and Emissions Documents released under freedom of information laws show that Western Australia's gas exports risk slowing Asia's shift to clean energy. The state's annual pollution increased by 4% last year, and its emissions have grown 17% since 2005. In contrast, other states have reduced their emissions. The Impact of Fossil Fuel Expansion The Western Australian government has continued to back fossil fuel expansions, arguing that gas exports reduce coal burning in Asia. However, experts say that gas is still a fossil fuel and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. A US study found that liquified natural gas exports can be dirtier than coal when emissions from extraction, piping, processing, and shipping are counted. The Role of the Federal Government The Albanese government has given implicit support to Western Australia's climate position. However, experts say that the federal government should take action to address the issue. A question for the prime minister is whether he intends to do anything about Western Australia's climate targets risk. The Future of Fossil Fuel Projects A big decision lies ahead for the federal government: a verdict on the Browse development, Australia's largest untapped gas basin, is expected before the end of the year. Experts say there is a stronger than usual legal case that it could be blocked on environmental grounds, given the risk to protected species.

The Lead The V&A;'s "Rising Voices" exhibition attempts to condense three decades of art from across Asia, Australia, and the Pacific into just three rooms, creating both an impressive display and significant limitations in telling the full story of the region's diverse artistic traditions. The Exhibition's Cultural Treasures The opening room features an array of remarkable works including bark cloth paintings from Papua New Guinea, Indigenous Australian abstracts, shark sculptures from the Torres Strait, and Tahitian textiles. Indigenous and First Nations artists form the heart of the exhibition, with stunning pieces like Lila Warrimou and Pennyrose Sosa's hypnotic bark cloth paintings where every shape carries specific cultural meanings. Aline Amaru's Tahitian quilt tells the story of her husband's dynastic lineage, representing the rich cultural heritage preserved through art. Art as Historical and Political Resistance Many works in the exhibition carry the heavy burden of colonial history. Elisabet Kauage depicts Melanesian figures being transported in Captain Cook's ship, while Sri Lankan artist Pala Pothupitiye paints over historical colonial maps to expose injustices. Brenda V Fajardo portrays Filipino women enduring under colonial rule. Beyond historical contexts, many artists created work under political oppression—Svay Ken painted quietly through Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime, Heri Dono produced his grotesque cubistic works under President Suharto's dictatorship, and Maryam Ayeen and Abbas Shahsavar depict contemporary Iranian life pressures. The Exhibition's Design Limitations The presentation of this vibrant art faces significant criticism. The exhibition employs "dull, grey and depressing lighting more akin to a funeral home" that fails to showcase the bright, colorful nature of the works. A single, mournful piano ballad loops loudly throughout the space, creating an unwelcoming atmosphere that discourages prolonged viewing. These design choices undermine the powerful and often beautiful artworks they're meant to highlight. The Challenge of Comprehensive Representation The fundamental issue lies in the exhibition's scope—attempting to represent art from dozens of countries, countless Indigenous populations, and multiple continents in just three rooms. Each segment—Pakistani miniature painting, Indigenous Australian photography, Papua New Guinean textiles—deserves its own comprehensive exhibition. The current format offers merely "a barely cracked window into a vast world" without providing a cohesive narrative thread connecting these diverse artistic traditions. The Future of Global Art Exhibitions The "Rising Voices" exhibition highlights both the richness of Asia-Pacific art and the challenges of representing such diversity within institutional constraints. Future exhibitions of this scale must either commit to comprehensive, in-depth explorations of specific artistic traditions or develop stronger curatorial frameworks that can meaningfully connect diverse works without reducing their cultural significance. The V&A; has presented a glimpse into a vast world of art, but there remains immense opportunity to more fully celebrate the incredible diversity of contemporary art from across this region.