Latest news with #ElCastillo
The Independent
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
A MrBeast video stoked outrage. Turns out much of it is fake
YouTuber MrBeast has sparked controversy after publishing a video purportedly filmed at restricted archaeological sites in Mexico. The video showed him in areas typically off-limits to the public, including a drone shot seemingly from inside the El Castillo temple. Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) said the visit was approved through formal requests made by the Ministry of Tourism. INAH later clarified that many scenes in the video were digitally altered or fabricated. The drone shot, for example, was filmed outside the temple and later edited, it said. While some criticised MrBeast's access, many Mexican viewers expressed gratitude for the opportunity to see inside the sites.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
US YouTuber MrBeast sparks controversy by filming at Mexico's archaeological sites
Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, is at the center of another controversy, and this time it directly involves Mexico. MrBeast, who is by far the YouTuber with the most subscribers in the world (surpassing the second-place user by almost 100 million), published a video on May 10th in which he visited some of Mexico's most important archaeological sites, including Chichén Itzá in the state of Yucatán, home to the Temple of Kukulkan pyramid, known as El Castillo, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. MrBeast also visited the archaeological sites of Calakmul in the state of Campeche and Balamcanché in Yucatán. The video, which as of Wednesday afternoon has accumulated more than 55 million views, shows MrBeast and his team in the surroundings of Kukulkan, but also inside other archaeological structures, in cenotes and temples. Some of these sites are not permanently accessible to the public, as the Mexican government has acknowledged. What is the controversy surrounding MrBeast in Mexico? The controversy centers on the fact that the YouTuber was allowed entry to sites considered sacred to Mexico's pre-Hispanic cultures, which in many cases are restricted. In one part of the video, MrBeast himself says: 'I can't believe the government is letting us do this. It's truly crazy. Not even archaeologists are allowed in here.' In response to the controversy, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) – an agency attached to the Mexican government's Ministry of Culture – declared on Monday that both the visit and the recording were carried out through 'formal requests.' These requests, however, were not made by MrBeast, but rather by 'the federal Ministry of Tourism and the governments of' Yucatán and Campeche, the INAH indicated. In the description of his video, MrBeast claims that the publication is a 'collaboration with the Mexican Ministry of Tourism.' Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that there were permits for the 'broadcast,' but asked the INAH to report 'under what conditions this permit was granted.' 'And if the permit was violated, then (it must be determined) what sanctions apply,' the president added. Other points have also caused controversy, such as a drone shot that appears to be inside the temple at the top of El Castillo in Chichén Itzá. Regarding this, the INAH said that this did not occur and that the shot was in fact recorded outside the structure. There are also scenes where MrBeast appears to descend to the archaeological sites by helicopter or where he holds a pre-Hispanic mask in his hands. All of this, the INAH says, is either false or was edited after the recording: 'Clearly, the video involves extensive audiovisual post-production work and alludes to events that did not occur, such as the fact that the producers never descended from a helicopter, spent the night inside the archaeological site, or possessed a pre-Hispanic mask, as the one presented is clearly a contemporary reproduction. All of these are false assertions that reflect the theatricality of the YouTuber in question.' How easy is it to apply for permits? Is it true that not even archaeologists can enter, as MrBeast claims? Exploring, filming, and broadcasting in Mexican archaeological sites is a restricted activity that few are allowed to do. The INAH stated that, while institute personnel were supervising MrBeast's activities at all times, access was granted to an area that is not permanently accessible to the general public. 'The tours were conducted in publicly accessible areas without affecting visitor access. In the case of Calakmul, the substructure of the Structure II was also visited. Although it is not permanently open to the public, it does provide access by arranging a scheduled visit in advance and with justification, as is the case with tours conducted with the communities surrounding the archaeological site,' it said in its Monday statement. Sheinbaum asked the INAH to provide information on the nature of the permit for the MrBeast video. Until it is announced, its scope and the points it covers are unknown. However, by law, exploration of Mexico's archaeological sites is permitted for a very small group of institutions. In September 2024, the INAH responded to a request for citizen information requesting the 'requirements and steps' necessary to enter the Kukulkan pyramid at Chichén Itzá. In this request, the director of the Chichén Itzá Archaeological Zone, José Francisco Javier Osorio León, mentions that 'in accordance' with the provisions of the Federal Law on Archaeological, Artistic, and Historical Monuments and Zones, 'all types of material work to discover or explore archaeological monuments will only be carried out by the National Institute of Anthropology and History or by scientific institutions or those of recognized moral standing, with prior authorization.' Likewise, Article 31 of this law states that the authorizations granted by the INAH must specify 'the terms and conditions to which the work must be subject, as well as the obligations of those who carry it out.' While the details of the permits for MrBeast's video are still unknown, the INAH stated that, although the YouTuber's video offers 'distorted' information, its dissemination 'may motivate interest among young audiences in Mexico and around the world to learn about our ancestral cultures and visit archaeological sites.' Meanwhile, Federal Culture Secretary Claudia Curiel de Icaza spoke out against the activities carried out by MrBeast and his team at the archaeological sites. 'This isn't the first time this type of incident has happened, and it's been clarified. Of course we don't agree, and of course there will be appropriate sanctions because that's not what these spaces are for,' Curiel de Icaza said Tuesday at a decorative and utilitarian art event. CNN has reached out to MrBeast for comment.
CNN
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
YouTuber MrBeast sparks controversy by filming at Mexico's archaeological sites
Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, is at the center of another controversy, and this time it directly involves Mexico. MrBeast, who is by far the YouTuber with the most subscribers in the world (surpassing the second-place user by almost 100 million), published a video on May 10th in which he visited some of Mexico's most important archaeological sites, including Chichén Itzá in the state of Yucatán, home to the Temple of Kukulkan pyramid, known as El Castillo, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. MrBeast also visited the archaeological sites of Calakmul in the state of Campeche and Balamcanché in Yucatán. The video, which as of Wednesday afternoon has accumulated more than 55 million views, shows MrBeast and his team in the surroundings of Kukulkan, but also inside other archaeological structures, in cenotes and temples. Some of these sites are not permanently accessible to the public, as the Mexican government has acknowledged. What is the controversy surrounding MrBeast in Mexico? The controversy centers on the fact that the YouTuber was allowed entry to sites considered sacred to Mexico's pre-Hispanic cultures, which in many cases are restricted. In one part of the video, MrBeast himself says: 'I can't believe the government is letting us do this. It's truly crazy. Not even archaeologists are allowed in here.' In response to the controversy, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) – an agency attached to the Mexican government's Ministry of Culture – declared on Monday that both the visit and the recording were carried out through 'formal requests.' These requests, however, were not made by MrBeast, but rather by 'the federal Ministry of Tourism and the governments of' Yucatán and Campeche, the INAH indicated. In the description of his video, MrBeast claims that the publication is a 'collaboration with the Mexican Ministry of Tourism.' Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that there were permits for the 'broadcast,' but asked the INAH to report 'under what conditions this permit was granted.' 'And if the permit was violated, then (it must be determined) what sanctions apply,' the president added. Other points have also caused controversy, such as a drone shot that appears to be inside the temple at the top of El Castillo in Chichén Itzá. Regarding this, the INAH said that this did not occur and that the shot was in fact recorded outside the structure. There are also scenes where MrBeast appears to descend to the archaeological sites by helicopter or where he holds a pre-Hispanic mask in his hands. All of this, the INAH says, is either false or was edited after the recording: 'Clearly, the video involves extensive audiovisual post-production work and alludes to events that did not occur, such as the fact that the producers never descended from a helicopter, spent the night inside the archaeological site, or possessed a pre-Hispanic mask, as the one presented is clearly a contemporary reproduction. All of these are false assertions that reflect the theatricality of the YouTuber in question.' How easy is it to apply for permits? Is it true that not even archaeologists can enter, as MrBeast claims? Exploring, filming, and broadcasting in Mexican archaeological sites is a restricted activity that few are allowed to do. The INAH stated that, while institute personnel were supervising MrBeast's activities at all times, access was granted to an area that is not permanently accessible to the general public. 'The tours were conducted in publicly accessible areas without affecting visitor access. In the case of Calakmul, the substructure of the Structure II was also visited. Although it is not permanently open to the public, it does provide access by arranging a scheduled visit in advance and with justification, as is the case with tours conducted with the communities surrounding the archaeological site,' it said in its Monday statement. Sheinbaum asked the INAH to provide information on the nature of the permit for the MrBeast video. Until it is announced, its scope and the points it covers are unknown. However, by law, exploration of Mexico's archaeological sites is permitted for a very small group of institutions. In September 2024, the INAH responded to a request for citizen information requesting the 'requirements and steps' necessary to enter the Kukulkan pyramid at Chichén Itzá. In this request, the director of the Chichén Itzá Archaeological Zone, José Francisco Javier Osorio León, mentions that 'in accordance' with the provisions of the Federal Law on Archaeological, Artistic, and Historical Monuments and Zones, 'all types of material work to discover or explore archaeological monuments will only be carried out by the National Institute of Anthropology and History or by scientific institutions or those of recognized moral standing, with prior authorization.' Likewise, Article 31 of this law states that the authorizations granted by the INAH must specify 'the terms and conditions to which the work must be subject, as well as the obligations of those who carry it out.' While the details of the permits for MrBeast's video are still unknown, the INAH stated that, although the YouTuber's video offers 'distorted' information, its dissemination 'may motivate interest among young audiences in Mexico and around the world to learn about our ancestral cultures and visit archaeological sites.' Meanwhile, Federal Culture Secretary Claudia Curiel de Icaza spoke out against the activities carried out by MrBeast and his team at the archaeological sites. 'This isn't the first time this type of incident has happened, and it's been clarified. Of course we don't agree, and of course there will be appropriate sanctions because that's not what these spaces are for,' Curiel de Icaza said Tuesday at a decorative and utilitarian art event. CNN has reached out to MrBeast for comment.
The Hill
21-03-2025
- Science
- The Hill
Spring equinox has begun, but what is it exactly?
Spring is almost here — officially, at least. The vernal equinox arrives on Thursday, marking the start of the spring season for the Northern Hemisphere and the fall in the Southern Hemisphere. On the equator, the sun will be directly overhead at noon. Equinoxes are the only time when both the north and south poles are lit by sunshine at the same time. The events have been marked and celebrated around the world for centuries. Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, is based on the spring equinox, for example. And at the Mayan site Chichen Itza in Mexico, people gather during the equinox to watch the sun create a shadow pattern that resembles a serpent descending a building called El Castillo. But what is happening in the heavens? Here's what to know about how we split up the year using the Earth's orbit. What is the equinox? As the Earth travels around the sun, it does so at an angle. For most of the year, the Earth's axis is tilted either toward or away from the sun. That means the sun's warmth and light fall unequally on the northern and southern halves of the planet. During the equinox, the Earth's axis and its orbit line up so that both hemispheres get an equal amount of sunlight. The word equinox comes from two Latin words meaning equal and night. That's because on the equinox, day and night last almost the same amount of time — though one may get a few extra minutes, depending on where you are on the planet. The Northern Hemisphere's spring — or vernal — equinox can land between March 19 and 21, depending on the year. Its fall – or autumnal — equinox can land between Sept. 21 and 24. What is the solstice? The solstices mark the times during the year when the Earth is at its most extreme tilt toward or away from the sun. This means the hemispheres are getting very different amounts of sunlight — and days and nights are at their most unequal. During the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice, the upper half of the earth is tilted in toward the sun, creating the longest day and shortest night of the year. This solstice falls between June 20 and 22. Meanwhile, at the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is leaning away from the sun — leading to the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice falls between December 20 and 23. What's the difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons? These are just two different ways to carve up the year. While astronomical seasons depend on how the Earth moves around the sun, meteorological seasons are defined by the weather. They break down the year into three-month seasons based on annual temperature cycles. By that calendar, spring starts on March 1, summer on June 1, fall on Sept. 1 and winter on Dec. 1.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Spring equinox has begun, but what is it exactly?
Spring is almost here — officially, at least. The vernal equinox arrives on Thursday, marking the start of the spring season for the Northern Hemisphere and the fall in the Southern Hemisphere. On the equator, the sun will be directly overhead at noon. Equinoxes are the only time when both the north and south poles are lit by sunshine at the same time. The events have been marked and celebrated around the world for centuries. Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, is based on the spring equinox, for example. And at the Mayan site Chichen Itza in Mexico, people gather during the equinox to watch the sun create a shadow pattern that resembles a serpent descending a building called El Castillo. But what is happening in the heavens? Here's what to know about how we split up the year using the Earth's orbit. As the Earth travels around the sun, it does so at an angle. For most of the year, the Earth's axis is tilted either toward or away from the sun. That means the sun's warmth and light fall unequally on the northern and southern halves of the planet. More than 20 arrests made in Tampa during spring break crackdown During the equinox, the Earth's axis and its orbit line up so that both hemispheres get an equal amount of sunlight. The word equinox comes from two Latin words meaning equal and night. That's because on the equinox, day and night last almost the same amount of time — though one may get a few extra minutes, depending on where you are on the planet. The Northern Hemisphere's spring — or vernal — equinox can land between March 19 and 21, depending on the year. Its fall – or autumnal — equinox can land between Sept. 21 and 24. The solstices mark the times during the year when the Earth is at its most extreme tilt toward or away from the sun. This means the hemispheres are getting very different amounts of sunlight — and days and nights are at their most unequal. During the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice, the upper half of the earth is tilted in toward the sun, creating the longest day and shortest night of the year. This solstice falls between June 20 and 22. Meanwhile, at the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is leaning away from the sun — leading to the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice falls between December 20 and 23. These are just two different ways to carve up the year. While astronomical seasons depend on how the Earth moves around the sun, meteorological seasons are defined by the weather. They break down the year into three-month seasons based on annual temperature cycles. By that calendar, spring starts on March 1, summer on June 1, fall on Sept. 1 and winter on Dec. 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
