a model and Instagram influencer from Kazakhstan software company Riot Games released a promotional music video on January 21 to generate buzz ahead of an online gaming competition internet users in Kazakhstan spotted an unerring similarity between Shalkar and a character in the League of Legends game ratcheted up 20 million views within five days of its release is shown leading the defensive charge as a village is assaulted by a horde of ogres.  Shalkar too is blue-eyed — a rarity in Kazakhstan although some historians claim ancient Kazakhs typically had blue eyes This and other commonalities led League of Legends fans to bombard Shalkar’s Instagram account with comments The model promptly sought out professional legal advice “I understand the concept of ‘inspiration.’ I do feel the need to defend my identity in certain cases especially when it has happened without my consent,” Shalkar the social media influencer asked her 623,000 followers to comment on whether they thought the resemblance was mere coincidence or whether the character did indeed share her features Shalkar said she had not collaborated with the video game developers on the design of Irelia’s facial features some saw fit to leave insulting and racist remarks “All Asians look the same,” read one comment written in Portuguese Shalkar’s base of followers extends beyond Kazakhstan so the likelihood of her having caught the attention of U.S retired Dutch soccer star Edgar Davids successfully sued Riot Games in a court in the Netherlands for basing League of Legends character Strike Lucean on his appearance without authorization had a ponytail and wore trademark tinted wraparound tinted glasses League of Legends is a huge global sensation and boasts around 100 million players who log on daily.  Eurasianet sought comments from Shalkar and Riot Games prior to publishing this article Aliya Uteuova is an Astana-based journalist.  Sign up for Eurasianet's free weekly newsletter Aliya Uteuova is a Kazakh journalist Sign up for Eurasianet's free weekly newsletter. Support Eurasianet: Help keep our journalism open to all NEW: The Effects of the US Foreign Aid Freeze on Freedom House 2022 – Civilians rush to board a train as the sounds of battle draw closer to the city of Irpin Nations in Transit evaluates the state of democracy in the region stretching from Central Europe to Central Asia Nations in Transit 2022 was made possible through the generous support of the US Agency for International Development Freedom House is solely responsible for the report’s content Zselyke Csaky was instrumental in the production of Nations in Transit 2022. David Meijer Nations in Transit 2022 would not be possible without the contributions of the report’s advisers Belarus: Hanna Hubarava and Artyom Shraibman  Montenegro: Milena Muk and Marko Sošić  please see their Nations in Transit 2022 country reports Jean Monnet Chair and Associate Professor of Political Science Read the essays and review the data from our latest Nations in Transit report the number of hybrid regimes jumped to 11 within the Nations in Transit region The struggle for democracy in the NIT region has global implications If democracy’s defenders are to expand recognition of the value and promise of democracy Freedom in the World has been widely used by policymakers Donate today to help us ensure the future of this vital resource.  at the offices of the Cívitas Metropolitano formalised the agreement to create a strategic alliance: an Academy project between Atlético de Madrid and Kazakhstan The signing ceremony was also attended by Danat Mussayev the foundations of which were established last June when a delegation from Atlético de Madrid held various meetings with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev president of the Kazakhstan Football Federation all parties expressed their interest in developing this project which is significant both for the country itself and the wider region of Central Asia Through our collaboration as a strategic partner the focus of which will be the construction of a new high-performance sports centre set to become a key reference point in the country This facility will be built near the city of Almaty which will commence following the formalisation of this agreement is scheduled to be completed by December 2025 architects working for our club travelled to the area to study the terrain and lay the groundwork for cooperation with the local engineers responsible for constructing this major site Atlético de Madrid continues to advance its expansion plan linked to the Academy and will support Kazakhstan’s footballing growth with the expertise of its coaches and officials This initiative is strongly backed by Kazakhstan’s president who is one of the project’s main supporters Get tickets to cheer on Atlético de Madrid Femenino in Alcalá Looking for three more points at the Mendizorroza In the more than thirty years since the dissolution of the Soviet Union Kazakhstan has firmly established itself on the international stage the country will chair the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Collective Security Treaty Organization. But what is the status of the US–Kazakhstan relationship? Does the United States see Kazakhstan as a national security partner given its shared border with Russia; as an economic partner given its critical mineral wealth; or does the US see something else? In this discussion three experts discuss Kazakhstan’s role in geopolitical affairs as well as the strengths and weaknesses in the current US-Kazakhstan relationship By 2014-08-26T12:21:00+01:00 KTZ President Askar Mamin said the new lines opening of the lines would provide a powerful impetus for the development of central and western Kazakhstan stimulating economic activity and creating the conditions for industrial development KAZAKHSTAN: Two new lines are on course to open later this year after ceremonies in December marked the joining of the tracks being laid from each end of the routes According to national railway KTZ the lines are of an economic and social importance with it would be 'difficult .. KAZAKHSTAN: Assisted by local partner Grontmij 20 staff from Kazakh national railway KTZ have completed a placement in Sweden to learn about the country's experience of market reform and the wider European railway reform process The sessions also covered the operation and development of inter-city and high speed passenger .. KAZAKHSTAN: The European Bank for Reconstruction & Development announced a US$24·8m senior secured loan to support the growth of privately-owned freight forwarding and wagon leasing company JSC Olzha on July 30 Olzha intends to use the proceeds to support a US$32·8m programme to expand its wagon fleet and align .. 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