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Hilary Swank breaks with PR firm over Chechnya flap

The fallout from Hilary Swank's birthday visit to Chechen president and alleged human rights abuser Ramzan Kadyrov continues.

The two-time Oscar winning actress has parted ways with her public relations firm, 42West, TheWrap has confirmed. A spokesperson for 42 West declined to comment.

In the weeks that followed the public relations debacle, Swank has fired her longtime manager Jason Weinberg and her two CAA agents.

Swank was slammed by human-rights groups for attending a 35th birthday celebration for Kadyrov in Chechnya on October 2. Kadyrov is widely accused of torturing dissidents and killing political opponents.

Swank received a six-figure fee for her appearance, which she donated to charity after the fallout.

Insiders close to the actress said she thought she was attending the opening of a rebuilt commercial section of formerly war-torn Grozny.

Other celebrities in attendance at Kadyrov's birthday party include action star Jean-Claude Van Damme and the singer Seal.

Entertainment Weekly first reported that Swank and 42West had split.

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James Farrior, LaMarr Woodley inactive for Steelers against Ravens

All-Pro linebacker James Harrison returned to the lineup for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens.

The 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year had missed four games while recovering from a fractured right orbital bone suffered in a loss to Houston on Oct. 2.

Harrison’s return helped offset the losses of LaMarr Woodley and James Farrior. The Steelers placed both linebackers on the inactive list due to lingering injuries.

Woodley missed his first game of the season with a strained hamstring suffered in the second half of a 25-17 win over New England last week. Farrior missed his second straight game with a calf injury. Veteran Larry Foote started in place of Farrior, while Jason Worilds made his first career start in Woodley’s spot at outside linebacker.

The Steelers moved Lawrence Timmons, who had started in Harrison’s spot, back to inside linebacker.

Pittsburgh wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders missed the game with a knee injury. Pittsburgh also placed QB Dennis Dixon, C Doug Legursky, T Jamon Meredith and NT Chris Hoke on the inactive list.

Wide receivers Lee Evans and Tandon Doss, running back Anthony Allen, linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Sergio Kindle, cornerback Chykie Brown and tight end Kris Wilson are inactive for Baltimore.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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