WINNIPEG — A shadowy hacker group has claimed responsibility for a ransomware attack that leaked sensitive personal information and photos of Pembina Trails School Division students and employees to the dark web.

The group, which calls itself Rhysida, sought 15 bitcoins ($1.6 million in current value) when it tried to sell stolen data in January.

The attempted sale followed a ransom demand, which the division confirmed was not paid.

A large volume of digital files, including school photos of children, was later published on the dark web, where it remained accessible to users Thursday, said Luciana Obregon, founder of Texas-based VenariX, which investigates cybersecurity incidents and helps clients avoid attacks.

WINNIPEG — A recent surge in Canadian pride has prompted the Manitoba Legislative Assembly to review its daily protocols and consider mandating the singing of “O Canada.”

Citing U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to national sovereignty and economic security, the Opposition Tories proposed MLAs take action to express their shared patriotism on Thursday.

“We expect our children to sing ‘O Canada’ at schools. We expect Jets fans to sing it at every game. If we expect ‘O Canada’ from Manitobans, Manitobans have a right to expect it from us,” Progressive Conservative MLA Rick Wowchuk told the house.

Wowchuk tabled a resolution to request an internal committee look at playing the national anthem on every sitting day after the opening prayer and land acknowledgment.

U.S. AMBASSADOR to Canada CONFIRMED by Senate

WASHINGTON — Former Michigan congressman Pete Hoekstra has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the new United States ambassador to Canada.

He will become America’s top diplomat in Ottawa in a fraught time in U.S.-Canada relations, with President Donald Trump hitting Canada with tariffs on automobiles, steel and aluminum and continuing to hold out the threat of economy-wide fentanyl-related duties.

While Trump has repeatedly claimed Canada should become a U.S. state, Hoekstra told his confirmation hearing that Canada is a sovereign country.

ON TELEVISION

• MLB — Blue Jays at Red Sox, 5:30 p.m. (SN1); Orioles at Diamondbacks, 8:30 p.m. 9SN1)

• NHL — Bruins at Devils, 6 p.m. (SN360); Red Wings at Canadiens, 6 p.m. (TSN2); Golden Knights at Avalanche, 8:30 p.m. (SN1)

• NBA — Celtics at Knicks, 6:30 p.m. (TSN2); Warriors at Suns, 9 p.m. (TSN1)

FRIDAY’S LUCKY NUMBERS

LOTTO MAX: 6, 18, 22, 40, 41, 43, 46 BONUS 4

WESTERN: 5, 12, 23, 26, 32, 36, 38 BONUS 18

PICK 2: 4, 0