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News: Andrew Howe, Alabama, Michelle Obama, Madonna

On the same day the Alabama House of Representatives approves a resolution that praises Miss California Carrie Prejean for her public stand against marriage equality, members vote to add sexual orientation to the state's hate crimes law. The bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Alvin Holmes of Montgomery was approved by the House on a close 46-41 vote. It updates a hate crimes law passed in 1994 that included race, color, religion and national origin. The bill now goes to the Senate.

· Is Perez Hilton a problem for the gay community?

· Ne-Yo channels Vin Diesel: I'm not gay, I only "date" women in Europe.

· After suffering an injury to his left Achilles tendon, Italian track and field sensation Andrew Howe will abandon the long jump this season and concentrate on sprinting.

· Madonna back with Jesus Luz? Page Six reports Madge has "reunited with her Brazilian man-candy and insiders are crediting her friends in the fashion world. Marc Jacobs 'wrote a letter of support for Jesus' work permit' to allow him to stay in the country, said our source. 'Marc campaigned for Jesus, saying he is highly talented and a necessity to the label.' " 

· FOX "News" will not air Obama's prime-time news conference marking his 100th day in office.

· The first book devoted to Michelle Obama's style hits bookstores next week.

· New music: Basement Jaxx's "Rain Drops". 

· Union activist Mary Beth Maxwell appointed senior adviser to Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.

Italian Long Jump Star Andrew Howe Injured in Russia

Another tough break for Andrew Howe, the ridiculously talented and obscenely gorgeous black Italian Olympic long jump sensation. The reigning European champion suffered a thigh injury that could jeopardize his upcoming title-defense in Torino.

European Athletics reports Italy's biggest field star "suffered a muscle strain in his right thigh" while competing at the Russian Winter meet in Moscow. Doctors say he will need up to 20 days of recuperation. The 23-year-old is the strongest medal prospect for Italy, which is hosting the 30th edition of European Athletics Indoor Championships on March 6-8 in Torino.

"I have no tears to cry. I am very disappointed. It seems almost impossible to be fit for Torino. I don't know what I can do," Howe tells  Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

Howe was born in Los Angeles and moved to Italy when he was five. His mother, who is black, was an American Olympic hurdler. The long jump champion competed for Italy four years ago in Athens, but, failed to qualify for the Long Jump finals in Beijing. The field sensation—who insists he is "not a sex symbol"— covered two issues of "Vanity Fair Italy" last summer including the sporno Leni Reifenstahl inspired cover and editorial by Richard Phibbs. That issue is now a collector's item on eBay.

Injury Puts Howe's Title Defense in Jeopardy [EAF]

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Italian Olympic Sensation Andrew Howe Covers "Vanity Fair Italy" [R20]

Italian Olympic Sensation Andrew Howe Covers "Vanity Fair Italy"

Vanity Fair Italy debuts its newest issue which features an incredible cover and editorial of Andrew Howe, the ridiculously talented and obscenely gorgeous biracial Italian Olympic track star. The Vanity Fair Italy cover is lensed by well-known fashion photographer Richard Phibbs, who captured the Barack Obama-inspired fashion editorial for Paper and the muscular and bulging model Kwame.

Howe is 23 years old, born in Los Angeles and moved to Italy when he was five. His mother, who is black, was an American Olympic hurdler. Howe is favored to win a medal at the Beijing Olympics in the long jump, after setting the Italian national record at 8.47m and taking the gold at the 2006 European Championships.& ;

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Howe is 6 feet and 165lbs of sculpted perfection. Phibbs captures the nude Olympic track star in a number of poses that are reminiscent of the adoring, homoerotic Olympic sporno technique created by Leni Riefenstahl in Olympia. Phibbs' editorial—and its subject—is stunning.

More Olympic perfection, more sporno after the jump.