Two contestants at the Miss Universe Canada pageant have apologised after wearing costumes inspired by Indigenous culture during the national costume segment.

Contestant Karisa Haverkamp wore a feathered headdress and had a red handprint painted on her face, while Jasleen Kaily appeared in an all-fur outfit with boots known as mukluks and two braids.

The costumes sparked criticism from former Miss Universe Canada winner Ashley Callingbull, a Plains Cree woman from the Enoch Cree Nation, who interrupted part of the pageant she was co-presenting to address the issue.

“It’s 2026, we should know better,” Callingbull said.

She described the costumes as cultural appropriation, while clarifying that she was not present when they were worn and had seen the incident later in a video.

Haverkamp apologised in a statement shared on Instagram, saying she recognised that her costume had caused “hurt and offence” to members of the Indigenous community.

“I appreciate what I have learned from this experience,” she said.

The feathered headdress she wore is traditionally associated with highly respected Indigenous leaders in North America. The red handprint painted on her face is also a symbol of solidarity with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement.

Kaily also apologised, saying her intention had never been to disrespect or misrepresent Indigenous culture.

“My intention was never to disrespect or misrepresent Indigenous culture, but rather to recognise and celebrate one of the First Peoples of Canada,” she said.

The Miss Universe Canada organisation said it was sorry if the costumes caused offence, hurt or misunderstanding, adding that this had never been its intention.

The pageant’s national costume segment is described as a celebration of Canadian culture and heritage, with contestants expected to present outfits inspired by the country’s traditions, symbols and history.

Following the controversy, Miss Universe Canada said it would introduce a “comprehensive costume guide” establishing clearer standards for future pageants to ensure cultural presentations are handled respectfully.

Pageant director Sonny Borrelli also invited Callingbull, the first First Nations woman to win Miss Universe Canada, to serve as the official liaison for the costume segment in future competitions.

During Saturday’s final, Callingbull told Borrelli that the organisation’s initial statement did not contain a direct apology and invited him to address the controversy.

Borrelli said the organisation takes “full responsibility” for the error.

Eight women have accused Hollywood actor and musician Jared Leto of sexual misconduct, with four alleging incidents that took place when they were under the age of 18.

One woman alleges she was sexually assaulted in a motel bathroom when she was 17.

Another claims Leto threatened to sexually assault her when she was 19 after she was unexpectedly left alone with him in a hotel room.

A third woman says she had sex with Leto in California when she was 17. She alleges that when the state’s age of consent was raised during a conversation, Leto “shrugged off” the issue. Under California law, sexual activity with a 17-year-old is classified as statutory rape.

A fourth woman alleges she was groomed by Leto when she was 16, claiming he repeatedly made sexually explicit phone calls to her and, on at least one occasion, suggested they have sex.

Four additional women allege they received unusual and often sexually explicit phone calls from Leto when they were younger.

Leto has denied allegations of sexual misconduct. The claims have not been tested in court.

Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard has died following a motorcycle crash in Dublin. He was 56.

Hansard, best known as the frontman of rock band The Frames and for his role in The Commitments, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008 for Falling Slowly, which he co-wrote for the acclaimed independent film Once.

Born in Dublin in 1970, Hansard began his career busking on the city’s streets before landing the role of Outspan Foster in Alan Parker’s 1991 film The Commitments. He had founded The Frames a year earlier and went on to become one of Ireland’s most celebrated musicians.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the single-vehicle crash, which occurred on Lower Road in Lucan, west Dublin. Emergency services were alerted shortly before 04:30 local time, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Hansard was also one half of the folk-rock duo The Swell Season and enjoyed a successful solo career. His 2015 album Didn’t He Ramble earned a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album the following year.

Tributes have poured in from across the music and charity sectors, with homelessness organisations highlighting his long-standing commitment to social justice and support for vulnerable people.

One organisation described Hansard as “a true advocate for our work and a giant in the fight against homelessness.”

“While known to many as a genius songwriter and storyteller, for us, he was threefold that, in his generosity, a true advocate for our work and a giant in the fight against homelessness,” the statement said.

“He had deep respect and empathy for those navigating the challenges of homelessness and his natural warmth and compassion always shone through in those moments.