It was a mixed result for Jewish politicians as America voted in the 2010 mid-terms.

In what appears to have been the worst results in decades for the Democrats, President Barack Obama’s party has lost its majority in the House of Representatives and suffered defeats in key senate seats.

Richard Blumenthal, despite a tough challenge from the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, and a scandal over his claimed Vietnam record, was elected as the new junior Senator for Connecticut.

Nearly 300 members of the far right English Defence League were joined in London on Sunday by an American rabbi for a demonstration planned “to oppose Islamic fascism”.

Speaking outside the Israeli Embassy, Rabbi Nachum Shifren, a supporter of the American Tea Party movement, said he was there as someone “who loves freedom”.

Rabbi Shifren, who is standing for the state senate in California, said: “To all my Jewish brothers who have called me a Nazi…I say to them, they don’t have the guts to stand up here and take care of business.”

The famously left-wing San Francisco community is embroiled in a dispute over how much criticism of Israel it should support.

In February, the city's Jewish Community Federation, which is the community's main funding body and umbrella group, announced new funding guidelines regarding Israel.

The British husband of actress Brittany Murphy will be moving out of their £5 million Hollywood home after being left out of her will - which he says was his choice.

Ms Murphy, the star of Clueless died last year of pneumonia at the Los Angeles home she shared with Simon Monjack, 39, and her mother, Sharon.

This week it was revealed that she had left all of her assets, including her house, to her mother. She and Mr Monjack are now expected to relocate to New York and share custody of Brittany's Maltese puppy, Clara.